Walmart stock climbs ahead of fiscal Q2 earnings as analysts lift expectations

Walmart Inc. (US9311421039) stock has been firm ahead of its next earnings release, with the shares closing at $116.01 on August 12, 2026, up 2.43% from the prior session as investors position for a stronger fiscal second quarter.

Per recent market data as of August 12, 2026, the move reflects growing confidence that Walmart can deliver higher profit and revenue growth even as consumer spending becomes more selective.

For investors, the key question now is whether Walmart can translate its scale and everyday-low-price strategy into another quarter of earnings and sales gains that justify the latest share-price strength.

Shares advance into earnings

Recent trading shows Walmart stock consolidating above the $115 level, with a closing price of $116.01 on August 12, 2026 after gaining 2.75 points, or 2.43%, in that session compared with the previous day.

Extended trading data for the early hours of August 13, 2026 indicates the shares edging modestly higher, with an after-hours indication modestly above the regular-session close, suggesting continued demand ahead of the coming earnings event.

A separate quote snapshot on August 12, 2026 cited a closing trade close to $116.02, highlighting how the stock has moved from the low $110s into the mid-$110s in recent days as investors reprice its prospects.

Wall Street earnings preview for fiscal Q2

Analyst previews for Walmart’s upcoming fiscal 2027 second quarter point to a clear expectation of profit growth compared with the same period a year earlier, with current Wall Street estimates calling for adjusted earnings of $0.74 per share versus $0.68 per share previously, an increase of 8.8%.

On the top line, consensus projections see fiscal second-quarter revenue at $186.77 billion compared with $177.40 billion a year earlier, implying growth of 5.3% as the company gains share in grocery and essentials while also pushing into higher-margin categories.

Forecasts also highlight a longer-term earnings trajectory, with adjusted earnings for fiscal 2027 expected at $2.90 per share, rising to $3.20 in fiscal 2028 and $3.53 in fiscal 2029, indicating compound profit growth even if the broader consumer environment remains mixed.

Revenue expectations follow a similar path, with projected fiscal 2027 sales of $753.42 billion underscoring Walmart’s role as the largest listed retailer and providing a base for mid-single-digit annual growth over the coming years.

Near term, Walmart’s own guidance for fiscal second-quarter constant-currency net sales growth sits in a range of 4% to 5%, which is modestly below the 5.7% growth achieved in the first quarter, while one detailed preview points to an expectation of 4.6% growth inside that range.

Those figures suggest that while growth may be decelerating slightly from the prior quarter, revenue is still poised to expand meaningfully on a company-wide basis, supporting the earnings-per-share improvement embedded in current forecasts.

Some analysts also anticipate that Walmart could return to a beat-and-raise pattern this quarter, in which reported earnings and guidance are both nudged higher versus prior expectations, a dynamic that historically has been supportive for the stock.

Valuation and consensus view

Current valuation commentary indicates that Walmart stock’s longer-term upside case is being framed against projected earnings several years out, with one detailed model using a multiple of 45 times fiscal 2028 adjusted earnings to arrive at a projected share price of $144.

Broader opinion remains constructive, as consensus data points to a Buy stance on Walmart, with an average 12-month price forecast of $141.11 that sits comfortably above the recent closing level of $116.01 and implies scope for double-digit percentage appreciation if estimates are met.

The spread between the current share price and the average target therefore represents a valuation gap of roughly $25 per share, which would translate into upside of more than 20% should Walmart deliver on the earnings and sales path expected by the market.

At the same time, one bank’s preview has trimmed its expectation for Walmart U.S. comparable sales, excluding fuel, to 3.5% growth from an earlier 4%, acknowledging that portions of the customer base, especially lower-income consumers, are spending more carefully.

Even with that moderation, the revised comparable-sales projection still sits against Walmart’s company-wide constant-currency net sales guidance of 4% to 5%, suggesting its mix of everyday low prices and omnichannel capabilities is preserving growth across the wider business.

Longer-term earnings forecasts embedded in the same analysis, with adjusted earnings per share rising from $2.90 in fiscal 2027 to $3.20 in fiscal 2028 and $3.53 in fiscal 2029, underline the view that margin and efficiency initiatives can compound profitability over several years rather than delivering only a short-term bump.

Operational backdrop and consumer trends

The operational backdrop for Walmart heading into this fiscal second quarter is defined by a balancing act between serving cost-conscious shoppers and expanding into categories that offer richer margins, such as private-label goods, health and wellness, and digital advertising.

Recent commentary on consumer trends has noted signs of softer spending among lower-income households, which are a core segment for Walmart, but it also emphasizes that these shoppers tend to consolidate more of their purchases at retailers that offer strong value propositions when budgets tighten.

As a result, even if basket sizes in discretionary categories such as apparel or home goods come under pressure, Walmart’s strength in food, consumables, and essential items can sustain traffic and overall sales volume.

The company’s ability to drive comparable-sales gains in the low- to mid-single-digit range, like the 3.5% U.S. ex-fuel comp forecast and 4.6% net sales growth expectation for fiscal Q2 mentioned in the analyst preview, remains central to its earnings story.

Historically, Walmart has also leaned on productivity initiatives and cost-control programs to offset margin headwinds, and the multi-year adjusted-earnings-per-share projections rising from $2.90 in fiscal 2027 to $3.53 by fiscal 2029 suggest those levers are expected to continue playing a meaningful role.

In addition, the retailer’s investments in automation, supply-chain optimization, and improved inventory management are often cited by observers as structural supports for both margin resilience and the ability to handle demand spikes during key seasons.

If Walmart can execute on its operational plans while holding or slightly improving margins in the face of mixed consumer spending, the forecasted revenue and EPS growth path could prove conservative, reinforcing the potential for earnings beats relative to current expectations.

Representative product: Walmart Marketplace

Beyond its core supercenter business, one important component of Walmart’s growth strategy is its Marketplace platform, an online marketplace that allows third-party sellers to list goods alongside Walmart’s own inventory, broadening selection for customers and enhancing the company’s digital footprint.

The Marketplace model gives Walmart a way to generate incremental revenue and profit with relatively lower capital intensity, as many items are fulfilled directly by sellers or through shared logistics arrangements, while the company earns fees and commissions.

For shoppers, the Marketplace experience integrates with Walmart’s main website and app, presenting items from both Walmart and third-party vendors in unified search results and category pages, often with clear tagging so customers can see who is selling and fulfilling each product.

From a strategic perspective, expanding the Marketplace helps Walmart compete more directly with other large online platforms by increasing assortment in categories such as home, electronics, fashion, and specialty goods where third-party sellers can add depth and variety beyond what Walmart could carry on its own.

As the Marketplace scales, it also supports Walmart’s advertising business, since more traffic and a broader mix of products create additional opportunities to sell sponsored listings and other ad formats that leverage Walmart’s shopper data.

Stock level and investor takeaway

As of the close on August 12, 2026, Walmart stock traded at $116.01 on its Nasdaq listing in the United States, with the latest extended-hours indications suggesting a modestly higher level in early trading on August 13, 2026 as investors await the fiscal second-quarter report.

For retail investors, the combination of steady share-price gains, forecasted earnings growth from $0.68 to $0.74 per share in the upcoming quarter, and longer-term profit projections rising toward $3.53 per share by fiscal 2029 provides a concrete framework for assessing how Walmart’s execution might translate into future returns, while also highlighting the need to watch closely how consumer trends and comparable sales develop over the balance of fiscal 2027.

Fact box

Company: Walmart Inc.

ISIN: US9311421039

Ticker: WMT

Exchange: Nasdaq

Price (as of August 12, 2026, 4:00 p.m. ET): $116.01 USD

Sector / Industry: Consumer staples / Broadline retail

Index membership: S&P 500