Walmart (WMT) stock is one of the best Dow Jones stocks Thursday after the retail giant beat top- and bottom-line expectations for its fiscal second quarter and raised its full-year outlook.
In the three months ended July 31, Walmart's revenue increased 4.8% year-over-year to $169.3 billion, thanks in part to a 21% spike in global e-commerce sales. Its earnings per share (EPS) improved 9.8% from the year-ago period to 67 cents. At Walmart U.S. and Sam's Club, same-store sales were up 4.2% and 5.2%, respectively, excluding fuel.
"Our team delivered another strong quarter," said Walmart CEO Doug McMillon in a statement. "Each part of our business is growing – store and club sales are up, e-commerce is compounding as we layer on pickup and even faster growth in delivery as our speed improves. Our newer businesses like marketplace, advertising, and membership, are also contributing, diversifying our profits and reinforcing the resilience of our business model."
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
The results topped analysts' expectations. Wall Street was anticipating revenue of $168.5 billion and earnings of 65 cents per share, according to Yahoo Finance.
As a result of its strong first half, Walmart raised its full-year outlook. The company now expects fiscal 2025 revenue growth in the range of 3.75% to 4.75% and earnings per share to arrive between $2.35 to $2.43, up from its previous forecast of revenue growth between 3% to 4% and EPS of $2.23 to $2.37.
Walmart also provided guidance for its fiscal third quarter, calling for revenue to grow between 3.25% to 4.25% and earnings per share of 51 cents to 52 cents.
Is Walmart stock a buy, sell or hold?
Walmart has been the best Dow stock so far in 2024, up nearly 40% including today's pop. Unsurprisingly, Wall Street is overwhelmingly bullish on the blue chip stock.
For one, the consensus recommendation among the 40 analysts following WMT tracked by S&P Global Market Intelligence is a Buy and with strong conviction to boot. However, analysts have had a hard time keeping up with Walmart's impressive rally. Indeed, the average price target of $73.94 is right around where the stock is trading today. Price-target hikes could come down the pike after the positive earnings reaction.
"Those who have been following our work know that we have declared Walmart the poster child of our investing theme: Companies who have pivoted to digitization, robotics, the cloud and generative AI (and the suppliers of the picks and shovels)," said Nancy Tengler, CEO and chief investment officer of Laffer Tengler Investments, in a statement.
Tengler adds that Walmart is the investment firm's biggest holding among large-cap stocks in the consumer staples sector.
Related Content
-
Dow Falls 557 Points to Start NVDA Week: Stock Market TodayThe Oracle of Omaha saw growth and value in certain corners of the stock market during the third quarter.
-
Nvidia Earnings: Live Updates and Commentary November 2025Nvidia's earnings event is just days away and Wall Street is zeroed in on the AI bellwether's third-quarter results.
-
Dow Falls 557 Points to Start NVDA Week: Stock Market Today
The Oracle of Omaha saw growth and value in certain corners of the stock market during the third quarter.
-
Nvidia Earnings: Live Updates and Commentary November 2025
Nvidia's earnings event is just days away and Wall Street is zeroed in on the AI bellwether's third-quarter results.
-
Your Four-Step Guide to True Financial Freedom, From a Financial PlannerYes, you can achieve financial independence, even if it seems elusive. While it may not be an easy journey, these are the steps to get things rolling.
-
The Private Annuity Sale: A Smart Way to Reduce Your Estate TaxesIn a private annuity sale, you transfer a highly appreciated asset to an irrevocable trust in exchange for a lifetime annuity.
-
I'm a Real Estate Investing Pro: This High-Performance Investment Vehicle Can Move Your Wealth Up a GearLeave online real estate investing to the beginners. Accredited investors who want real growth need the wealth-building potential of Delaware statutory trusts.
-
These Eight Tips From a Retirement Expert Can Help to Make Your Money Last Through RetirementAre you worried you will outlive your money? Considering these eight tips could go a long way toward ensuring your retirement money lasts as long as you do.
-
I'm an Investment Adviser: This Is the Retirement Phase Nobody Talks AboutWhat you do in the five years before retirement and the first 10 afterward can establish how comfortable you'll be for the rest of your life.
-
Gen X Turns 60: It's Time to Remix Your Retirement PlaylistIf you want a worry-free retirement, you can't keep playing the same old song. You need to freshen up your financial strategies, as well as your music.
