What Analysts Consider Walmart Inventory Forward of Earnings

Walmart (WMT) is about to report outcomes for the primary quarter of its 2026 fiscal yr early Thursday, with analysts bullish on the retail big they see as a possible winner from continued tariff uncertainty.

All 19 analysts who comply with the corporate and are tracked by Seen Alpha at the moment name Walmart inventory a “purchase,” in contrast with 20 “purchase” and one “maintain” rankings forward of the earlier quarterly report. The inventory has a median worth goal of $110.79, greater than 14 % above Friday’s nearer and better than its file shut of $105.05 on Feb. 13.

Walmart is anticipated to report an almost 3% bump in income to $165.96 billion for the primary quarter, whereas adjusted earnings per share are anticipated to drop by 2 cents from the identical quarter a yr in the past to 58 cents.

Analysts Anticipate Strong Q1, Uncertainty Round Full-12 months Outlook

Analysts from Morgan Stanley and Oppenheimer stored their respective “purchase”-equivalent rankings in notes previewing Walmart’s report. Oppenheimer analysts lifted their worth goal to $110 from $100 and Morgan Stanley held agency at $115.

Oppenheimer Wednesday mentioned it will “once more be positioned to benefit from weak point on the upcoming print vs. taking part in for a optimistic catalyst,” because the inventory’s outperformance of the broader market up to now this yr and a doubtlessly “subdued” first-quarter report might drive shares decrease within the instant aftermath.

Morgan Stanley analysts mentioned Tuesday that amid tariff uncertainty Walmart is “among the many finest positioned in our protection universe to navigate by these challenges, given its scale, provide chain benefits, class combine and worth gaps.” They count on Walmart to widen its full-year outlook ranges.

The retailer maintained its expectation of three% to 4% gross sales development for the primary quarter final month, however mentioned its “vary of outcomes” for working revenue development has widened for a variety of causes. Walmart topped estimates for the prior quarter, however its below-estimates forecasts despatched shares decrease.