Walmart Earnings Preview: What to Expect

Company Overview - Walmart Inc. is a multinational retail corporation based in Arkansas, operating over 10,750 retail locations across 19 countries, including supercenters, discount stores, neighborhood markets, and warehouse clubs under the Sam's Club banner, along with a significant e-commerce presence [1] - The company has a market capitalization of $954 billion and serves approximately 270 million customers and members weekly, employing about 2.1 million people globally [1] Financial Performance - Analysts expect Walmart to report a profit of $0.73 per share for the fourth quarter, representing a 10.6% increase from $0.66 per share in the same quarter last year [2] - For fiscal year 2026, Walmart's earnings per share (EPS) is projected to be $2.63, a 4.8% increase from $2.51 in fiscal 2025, with an anticipated surge of 12.6% year-over-year to $2.96 per share [3] Stock Performance - Walmart's stock has increased by 31.1% over the past 52 weeks, outperforming the S&P 500 Index's 16.9% gains and the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund's 6.9% rise during the same period [4] - On January 9, Walmart's stock rose by 1.3% following the announcement that it will be added to the Nasdaq-100 and related indices effective January 20, 2026, replacing AstraZeneca [5] Analyst Sentiment - Analysts maintain a "Strong Buy" consensus rating for Walmart, with 29 out of 37 analysts recommending "Strong Buys," six recommending "Moderate Buys," and two suggesting "Holds" [6] - The mean price target for Walmart's stock is $124.75, indicating a 4.2% upside potential from current price levels [6]