Walmart IncNasdaq: WMT
Consumer Staples · Consumer Staples Merchandise Retail
$117.34
-0.67%
Vol: 11.6M
Research Digest
Thursday, June 18, 2026
TD Cowen names Walmart its Best Idea of 2026 as the retailer reports 5.1% revenue growth to $715.9B and 24% e-commerce gains for fiscal 2026.
Walmart reported fiscal 2026 total revenues of $715.9 billion, up 5.1% on a constant-currency basis, with global e-commerce growing 24% to $150.4 billion. The company held its Annual Shareholders' Meeting on June 4, 2026, with approximately 89.88% of shares represented and CEO John Furner presenting strong results. TD Cowen named WMT its Best Idea of 2026, citing structural advantages in e-commerce, Walmart+ membership, and advertising revenue. The Walmart Deals summer sales event is scheduled for June 22–28, which could further accelerate near-term revenue. The primary risk is that the stock trades near fair value (~$138 estimate) at current prices (~$119), while a pressured lower-income consumer base remains a macro concern.
Previous Market Intelligence
13 daysJun 17China's market regulator summoned Walmart over Sam's Club food safety issues, sending shares lower in premarket trading.Negative▶
On Monday, June 15, 2026, China's State Administration for Market Regulation summoned Walmart China over food safety problems found across Sam's Club physical and online stores, urging strict compliance and warning of public health risks. Walmart China said it 'fully acknowledged, deeply reflected on, and sincerely accepted' the concerns and set up a senior-management task force to run a comprehensive review and corrective campaign across its supply chain. Walmart shares slid in premarket trading on the news, which threatens its fast-growing and high-margin Sam's Club China business. The matter compounds other headlines, including recalls of children's toys and swimming products over injury risks. The bear case: regulatory friction in China is a recurring overhang and could pressure one of Walmart's better international growth engines, while elevated valuation leaves limited room for execution missteps. Offsetting this, TD Cowen named Walmart its 'Best Idea' of 2026 and the prior quarter showed strong earnings momentum.
Jun 16No significant overnight updatesNeutral▶
No material news in the last 48 hours.
Jun 15No significant overnight updatesNeutral▶
No material news in the last 48 hours. Coverage covered early-June initiatives (Mexico e-commerce launch, Wing drone delivery, Great Value redesign) and an undated dive-stick recall, none with a confirmed date inside the 48-hour window.
Jun 14Walmart expands tech-enabled retail with an Alphabet Wing drone-delivery rollout and Mexico online pushPositive▶
In early June 2026 Walmart announced a broad expansion of its technology-enabled retail model, including a major drone-delivery rollout with Alphabet's Wing, and launched an international online expansion beginning in Mexico. The company is countering Amazon with its own savings event, extending Walmart+ to Canada, and undertaking its biggest-ever Great Value brand overhaul across nearly 10,000 items. Walmart became the first traditional retailer valued over $1 trillion in February 2026 and switched its listing to the Nasdaq in December 2025; shares traded near $120.84. The bear case: rising cost pressures may force retail price increases, and heavy investment in drones, delivery, and international expansion could weigh on near-term margins.
May 21Walmart reports Q1 FY27 earnings May 21 at 6 a.m. CDT; consensus $174.57B revenue (+5.36%) and EPS $0.66 (+7.9%), raises dividend 5% to $0.99Neutral▶
Walmart hosts its Q1 FY27 earnings conference call on Thursday May 21, 2026, with CEO John Furner and CFO John David Rainey. Consensus expects revenue of $174.57B (+5.36% YoY) and EPS of $0.66 (+7.9% YoY), with US same-store sales growth of ~3.9-4.5%. The Board approved an FY27 annual dividend of $0.99/share, a 5% increase from $0.94. The stock recently hit a record high of $135.16 on May 19. Analyst consensus is Strong Buy with average PT $137.78, though concerns persist over a forward P/E of 46x suggesting much optimism is priced in.
May 20Walmart reports Q1 results May 21 with consensus $174.57B revenue and $0.66 EPS as Evercore raises PT to $140 and 1,000 roles cut May 13Positive▶
Walmart will release Q1 FY2027 earnings on Thursday, May 21 at 6 a.m. CDT with new CEO John Furner and CFO John David Rainey hosting, with consensus expecting revenue of $174.57B (+5.36% YoY) and EPS of $0.66 (+7.9% YoY). On May 13, Reuters reported Walmart eliminated 1,000 roles to simplify operations as Furner reshapes leadership and doubles down on a tech-focused strategy targeting higher-income shoppers and marketplace/delivery growth. The board approved a 5% dividend increase to $0.99/share for FY2027. Evercore ISI raised its price target to $140 from $135 with an Outperform rating, and Piper Sandler raised to $137 from $130. Walmart Connect retail media ad revenue is projected to grow 30% in Q1, becoming a high-margin profit driver. Risk: consumer confidence has hit historic lows entering the print, making same-store traffic and discretionary mix the key swing factors. Stock trades at $134.26, just below the $134.69 all-time high set in February.
May 19Walmart cuts ~1,000 corporate tech and product jobs ahead of May 21 Q1 earnings; Evercore ISI sets $140 PTMixed▶
Walmart is laying off or relocating roughly 1,000 corporate workers in its technology and product divisions as it consolidates onto a unified global platform, per a memo from global tech head Suresh Kumar and AI acceleration head Daniel Danker. The news lands just ahead of Q1 earnings on May 21, where consensus expects EPS of $0.65 (+6.6% YoY) on revenue of $174.38B (+5.3%). Evercore ISI established a $140 price target. The board also approved a 5% dividend hike to $0.99/share for FY27. Investors are focused on US same-store sales growth (~3.9-4.5% expected), the new CEO's guidance, and the advertising/membership business offsetting cost pressure. Bear case: record-low consumer confidence may pressure discretionary categories, and high valuation versus retail peers leaves little room for any miss.
May 18Walmart trades near $131 ahead of May 21 Q1 earnings with options pricing in ~5% move; layoffs of 1,000 corporate staff and 5% dividend hike in focus.Neutral▶
WMT traded between $130.79 and $134.11 ahead of its May 21 Q1 earnings call, with consensus calling for $174.57B in revenue (+5.4% YoY) and $0.66 EPS (+7.9% YoY), and the options market pricing a ~5% post-earnings move. Walmart announced plans on May 12 to lay off or reassign approximately 1,000 corporate employees to streamline global technology and AI teams. The Board approved a 5% dividend increase to $0.99/share annually for FY27. Key debate is around U.S. same-store sales growth (expected ~3.9-4.5%) in the face of record-low consumer confidence, plus contribution from advertising and Walmart+ membership. Risk is margin compression and any cautious commentary from new CEO John Furner on the consumer.
May 15Walmart cuts/relocates 1,000 corporate jobs ahead of May 21 Q1 earnings; FY27 dividend raised 5% to $0.99Mixed▶
Walmart is cutting or relocating approximately 1,000 corporate jobs as it simplifies its operating structure and pursues a tech-focused growth strategy, per an internal memo from global tech head Suresh Kumar and AI head Daniel Danker. The board approved a FY27 annual cash dividend of $0.99 per share, a 5% increase from $0.94. Walmart will release Q1 results on May 21, 2026, with consensus at $0.65 adjusted EPS on ~$172.5B revenue (vs $0.61/$165.5B prior year). WMT trades at a record $133.47 (~$1.06T market cap), up 15-17% YTD versus S&P 500's 8%. Risk: stock trades at 44x forward P/E with much priced in — could derate if guidance is not raised meaningfully.
May 14Walmart eliminates 1,000 tech and product roles to consolidate AI/tech operations ahead of the May 21 Q1 earnings release.Mixed▶
On May 12-13, 2026, Bloomberg and CNBC reported Walmart is eliminating or relocating 1,000 roles, with global tech chief Suresh Kumar and global AI acceleration head Daniel Danker telling employees the company is consolidating technology and AI efforts to clarify ownership and align skills. Shares rose about 2.1% on May 13 as investors looked past the cuts and focused on Walmart's AI integration, 27% YoY e-commerce growth and 41% advertising revenue growth. Walmart reports Q1 FY27 earnings on May 21, with consensus calling for adjusted EPS of $0.65 on revenue of ~$172.5 billion (versus $0.61 / $165.5B prior year). The retailer is also remodeling 650+ stores and opening about 20 new locations in 2026 and early 2027. Risk: ongoing headcount cuts could create morale and execution issues during the AI rollout, and any miss on May 21 earnings or 2026 guidance could compress what is already a premium retail multiple.
May 13Walmart cutting/relocating ~1,000 corporate tech and AI roles announced May 12 as part of consolidation; Bernstein raised PT to $145 ahead of May 26 earnings.Mixed▶
Walmart announced May 12 that it is cutting or relocating about 1,000 corporate tech and AI jobs as part of a consolidation of its technology and artificial intelligence efforts, per a memo from CTO Suresh Kumar and AI EVP Daniel Danker. Stock trades at $129.15 with a $1.04T market cap. Fiscal 2026 revenue was $713.16B (+4.73% YoY) with earnings of $21.89B (+12.64%), and US ecommerce contributed +4.3% to comparable sales (vs +2.9% prior year) with global ecommerce up 24% to $150.4B. Walmart plans to remodel 650+ stores and open ~20 new locations in 2026-early 2027. Q1 fiscal 2027 earnings are due May 26, with a $0.66 EPS estimate. Bernstein's Zhihan Ma raised PT to $145 from $134 (Outperform).
May 12Wolfe Research lifts Walmart PT to $137 on May 11 as TD Cowen and BTIG also raise targets ahead of Q1 FY27 print.Positive▶
Wolfe Research's Spencer Hanus on May 11 maintained an Outperform rating on WMT and raised the price target from $135 to $137. TD Cowen lifted its target to $150 (from $145) and BTIG to $145 (from $140). Walmart announced plans to remodel over 650 U.S. stores and open about 20 new locations in 2026 and early 2027, with new-store capex up ~212% YoY to about $1.4B for FY26. FY27 EPS guidance is $2.75-$2.85 on 5.6% revenue growth. Q4 FY26 EPS was $0.74 vs. $0.73 consensus. Mix-driven margin pressure persists as grocery and health & wellness outpace higher-margin categories.
May 11TD Cowen raises Walmart price target to $150 from $145 as 650-store remodel plan and Sparky AI shopping assistant headline May updatesPositive▶
TD Cowen analyst Oliver Chen raised the Walmart price target to $150 from $145 on May 7 with a Buy rating, citing underappreciated high-margin growth engines including a $10B annual advertising-funded investment plan and an expanding India bet. Walmart confirmed plans to remodel more than 650 stores and open about 20 new locations in 2026 and early 2027, while rolling out an AI shopping assistant called Sparky that suggests products and surfaces reviews. The stock trades around $130.57 with a $1.04T market cap and is up 34.8% year to date, with multiple analysts reaffirming Buy ratings in the past week. The bear case: the rally has driven valuation to premium levels and consumer-spending sensitivity to tariffs remains a key risk if the US-China truce unwinds.
Sector Peers
| Company | Price | Day | 1M | Fwd P/E | Beta | Mkt Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WMTWALMART | $117.34 | -0.67% | -12.0% | 35.9x | 0.60 | $940.1B |
| COSTCOSTCO | $952.85 | -1.32% | -11.8% | 42.7x | 0.87 | $428.2B |
| TGTTARGET | $131.37 | +2.79% | +0.5% | 14.4x | 0.99 | $58.1B |
| DGDOLLAR | $112.30 | +3.32% | +5.0% | 13.6x | 0.26 | $24.0B |
| DLTRDOLLAR | $111.03 | +4.34% | +17.4% | 13.9x | 0.66 | $20.4B |
| PGPROCTER | $151.58 | +0.68% | +6.5% | 21.2x | 0.39 | $350.6B |
Key Fundamentals
RSI (14-Day)
52-Week Range
Moving Averages
Price between 50d and 200d. Testing 50d support.