What was Walmart's sales outlook for its 2026 fiscal year, and how did it compare to analyst expectations?

Walmart projected a 3% to 4% increase in consolidated net sales for its 2026 fiscal year, which fell short of analyst expectations of a 4% uptick.

How did Walmart's stock perform following the release of its earnings report?

Walmart's stock fell significantly after the earnings report, dropping more than 6% due to the disappointing sales outlook.

What impact did Walmart's forecast have on the broader stock market?

Walmart's disappointing forecast contributed to a decline in U.S. stocks, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling by 1% and the S&P 500 dropping by 0.4%.

4 sources·Business

Walmart's Disappointing Forecast Triggers Major Stock Market Sell-off

Walmart's lower-than-expected sales outlook leads to declines in U.S. stocks, particularly affecting the Dow and S&P 500 indices.

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Walmart's performance might be cooling off, but the company remains in a strong position.
Walmart outlook worries investors in "uncertain time"
Axios·1M
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Those remarks came as the Philadelphia Fed's manufacturing survey for February showed increases in prices paid and prices received.
Walmart, Palantir and inflation concerns: What investors think was behind Thursday's sell-off
CNBC·1M
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Walmart serves as a bellwether for the U.S. economy — not only because of the roughly 270 million customers the company serves each week, but because of the fact that it is the largest private employer in the United States, with 1.6 million associates as of last year.
Stocks tumble as Walmart sales growth forecast disappoints
NBC News·1M
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U.S. stocks sold off Thursday as ongoing tariff jitters and a downbeat forecast from Walmart dampened investor risk appetite.
Wall Street Ends Lower on Weak Walmart Guidance
Newsmax·1M
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Feb 20th, 2025, 9:21 PM ET

Summary

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A disappointing sales outlook from Walmart caused a widespread sell-off in U.S. stocks, with the Dow dropping 1% and S&P 500 down 0.4%. Walmart's predictions for lower profit and sales growth have raised concerns about consumer spending, contributing to the decline. Analysts are interpreting Walmart’s cautious guidance as a sign of potential broader economic issues, particularly affecting investor sentiment. Other stocks also saw declines, especially in the banking sector, reflecting fears of sluggish consumer behavior. Despite seasonal indicators, traders remain on alert regarding inflation and tariffs affecting market dynamics.

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