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Bentonville, Arkansas-based Walmart Inc. (WMT) runs supermarkets, warehouse clubs, cash and carry stores, and discount stores. With a market cap of $846.5 billion, Walmart operates through Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sam's Club segments. The discount retail giant is expected to announce its third-quarter results before the markets open on Thursday, Nov. 20. Ahead of the event, analysts expect Walmart to report a profit of $0.60 per share, up a modest 3.5% from $0.58 per share reported in the year-ago quarter. While the company has surpassed the Street’s bottom-line estimates thrice over the past four quarters, it missed the projections on one other occasion. For the full fiscal 2026, Walmart’s EPS is expected to come in at $2.60, up 3.6% from $2.51 reported in fiscal 2025. While in fiscal 2026, its earnings are expected to surge 12.7% year-over-year to $2.93 per share. WMT stock prices have soared 27.9% over the past 52 weeks, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 Index’s ($SPX) 16.9% gains and the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund’s (XLP) 3.2% decline during the same time frame. Walmart’s stock prices declined 4.5% in the trading session following the release of its mixed Q2 results on Aug. 21. The company observed a solid sales momentum during the quarter, its global eCommerce revenues surged by a high double-digit figure, while US comparable sales increased 4.6% driven by strong grocery and health & wellness sales. Overall, the company’s net sales increased by an impressive 4.8% year-over-year to $175.8 billion, beating the consensus estimates by 1.1%. However, its adjusted EPS plummeted 47.3% year-over-year to $0.68, missing the Street’s expectations by 6.9%. Nonetheless, analysts remain extremely bullish on the stock’s long-term prospects. WMT has a consensus “Strong Buy” rating overall. Of the 38 analysts covering the stock, opinions include 31 “Strong Buys,” six “Moderate Buys,” and one “Hold.” Its mean price target of $114.24 suggests a 7.6% upside potential from current price levels.
