Following Sour 2015, Wal-mart (WMT) Becomes the Dow's Golden Child

As the Dow Jones Industrial Average slips over 5 percent for the first few trading days of 2016, its worst to a year since it was formed, there is one shining star in the mix: Wal-mart (NYSE: WMT).

Shares of Wal-mart are up 6 percent since the start of 2016, largely outpacing peers. The rebound comes following a 28 percent drop in 2015.

General Electric (NYSE: GE) is the worst-performing Dow component, down 4.3 percent for the year.

One item that could be driving Wal-mart shares higher is expectations that the U.S. might be heading for another recession, if it isn't there already. That would mean more consumers are going to start pinching pennies and turning to value shopping outlets for everyday goods and food.

Shares of Wal-mart are indicated modestly lower ahead of the opening bell Friday.

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