<div id="readability-page-1">** Shares in Walmex slide 5% to 55.53 pesos ($2.73) each around mid-day after posting fourth-quarter results** Walmart's Mexico and Central America unit posted a 1.4% bump in its fourth-quarter net profit on Thursday, slightly below analysts' forecasts ** The retailer also reported a 15% jump in its expenses compared to the same period in 2023** JPMorgan downgrades Walmart Mexico to &#34;neutral,&#34; from &#34;overweight,&#34; as the &#34;results brought some small disappointments&#34;** JPMorgan analysts specifically mention challenging traffic in Mexico and stronger-than-expected expense pressures** Walmex Chief Financial Officer, Paulo Garcia, tells analysts in an earnings call that the company expects operating expenses to grow by single digits in 2025 ** Shares in Walmex are the biggest losers on Mexico's benchmark index , which is up 0.1%($1 = 20.3194 Mexican pesos)</div>

Shares in Walmart's Mexico unit, Walmex, fell 5% to 55.53 pesos after reporting a 1.4% increase in Q4 net profit, which was below analyst expectations. The company also faced a 15% rise in expenses compared to the previous year. JPMorgan downgraded Walmex to "neutral" due to disappointing results and noted challenges in traffic and expense pressures. Walmex's CFO projected single-digit growth in operating expenses for 2025. Walmex shares are the largest decline on Mexico's benchmark index, which rose 0.1%.

- Walmex shares fell 5% to 55.53 pesos after reporting a 1.4% increase in fourth-quarter net profit, which was below analysts' expectations.  
- The company also experienced a 15% rise in expenses compared to the same period in 2023, prompting JPMorgan to downgrade its rating to "neutral" due to disappointing results and traffic challenges.  
- Walmex's CFO indicated that operating expenses are expected to grow by single digits in 2025, while the benchmark index in Mexico rose by 0.1%.

Shares in Walmart's Mexico unit tumble after underwhelming Q4 results