Walmart stock rating reiterated at Outperform by Evercore ISI despite Q2 miss

Published 21/08/2025, 14:32
Walmart stock rating reiterated at Outperform by Evercore ISI despite Q2 miss

Investing.com - Evercore ISI has reiterated an Outperform rating on Walmart (NYSE:WMT) with a price target of $110.00 following the retailer’s second-quarter results. The retail giant, with a market capitalization of $816 billion, continues to demonstrate strong market presence. According to InvestingPro data, Walmart maintains a robust financial health score of GOOD, reflecting its operational strength.

Walmart reported second-quarter adjusted earnings per share of $0.68, or $0.72-$0.73 excluding a general liability reserve charge, slightly below analyst expectations of $0.73. Revenue came in at $177.4 billion, exceeding market forecasts, while gross profit margin increased by 4 basis points, less than anticipated. The company’s trailing twelve-month revenue stands at an impressive $685 billion, with a gross profit margin of 24.9%. InvestingPro subscribers can access 12+ additional key metrics and insights about Walmart’s financial performance.

The company raised its full-year EPS guidance by 2 cents to $2.52-$2.62, reflecting stronger sales and reduced foreign exchange headwinds. For the third quarter, Walmart provided adjusted EPS guidance of $0.58-$0.60, above the consensus estimate of $0.57.

Comparable sales growth was stronger than expected for both Walmart U.S. (+4.6%) and Sam’s Club (+5.9%), with steady traffic growth of 1.5% at Walmart U.S. E-commerce growth reached 25% globally, while digital advertising rose 31% for Walmart U.S., excluding the VIZIO boost.

Despite facing challenges from rising input costs due to tariffs and a choppy low to middle-income U.S. consumer environment, Evercore ISI highlighted Walmart’s innovation and omnichannel capabilities as central to its steady traffic and market share growth. With a beta of 0.66, Walmart stock demonstrates relatively low volatility, and the company has maintained dividend payments for 53 consecutive years. Get comprehensive analysis and Fair Value estimates for Walmart and 1,400+ other stocks with an InvestingPro subscription.

In other recent news, Walmart reported its second-quarter earnings for fiscal year 2026, revealing a slight miss on earnings per share (EPS) expectations, posting an EPS of $0.68 compared to the anticipated $0.74. Despite this, Walmart surpassed revenue forecasts, achieving $177.4 billion against the expected $174.4 billion. Analysts have maintained positive outlooks on the company, with DA Davidson reiterating a Buy rating and maintaining a price target of $117.00, despite mixed quarterly results. Truist Securities also reiterated a Buy rating with a $111.00 price target, highlighting Walmart’s strong sales performance, including a 4.6% increase in U.S. comparable sales and robust growth at Sam’s Club. BMO Capital continues to rate Walmart as Outperform, keeping a $110.00 price target and noting that underlying earnings were closer to expectations when adjusting for higher general liability claims. These developments reflect Walmart’s continued resilience and growth across various segments, even amidst challenges.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers
© 2007-2025 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.