---
title: "Walmart Delivers Weak Guidance As Consumers Pullback"
type: "News"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/287217423.md"
description: "Walmart's stock fell after the retailer provided weak guidance, citing consumer spending pullback due to high gas prices and inflation. The company reported Q1 EPS of $0.66, matching expectations, with revenue of $177.75 billion exceeding forecasts. However, it expects EPS of $2.75 to $2.85 for the year, below the $2.91 expected. For Q2, Walmart anticipates EPS of $0.72 to $0.74, missing Wall Street's $0.75 target. The stock is down 3% in premarket trading."
datetime: "2026-05-21T12:12:20.000Z"
locales:
  - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/287217423.md)
  - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/287217423.md)
  - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/287217423.md)
---

# Walmart Delivers Weak Guidance As Consumers Pullback

Walmart’s (WMT) stock is sinking after the discount retailer delivered weak forward guidance and said that consumers are beginning to reign in their spending.

The Arkansas-based company reported first-quarter earnings per share (EPS) of $0.66 U.S., which matched Wall Street’s consensus expectation.

Revenue for this year’s first three months came in at $177.75 billion U.S., which surpassed the $174.98 billion U.S. expected among analysts. Sales were up 7% from a year earlier.

While the results were decent, Walmart issued a worse-than-expected outlook and raised questions about the health of the American consumer.

Management said that high gas prices and rising inflation in the U.S. is starting to strain shopper budgets, leading the company to issue soft guidance.

The world’s largest retailer reiterated its previous outlook, which disappointed analysts and investors when it was delivered last quarter.

Walmart continues to expect earnings per share of $2.75 U.S. to $2.85 U.S. this year. That remains below expectations of $2.91 U.S.

The company added that it continues to anticipate that its 2026 sales will rise between 3.5% and 4.5% this year.

Walmart also issued tepid guidance for the current second quarter, saying it expects earnings per share of $0.72 U.S. to $0.74 U.S., missing Wall Street expectations of $0.75 U.S.

Walmart sees sales rising 4% to 5% in the current quarter, in line with analyst forecasts.

Management said that U.S. consumers are starting to feel more strain as the effects of tax returns goes away and gas prices rise due to the Iran war.

Walmart’s stock is down 3% in premarket trading after the company’s latest print. Over the past 12 months, WMT shares have increased 36% to trade near an all-time high of $135.16 U.S.

### Related Stocks

- [WMT.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/WMT.US.md)
- [IYK.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/IYK.US.md)
- [RTH.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/RTH.US.md)
- [UGE.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/UGE.US.md)
- [XRT.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/XRT.US.md)
- [EBIZ.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/EBIZ.US.md)
- [PBJ.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/PBJ.US.md)
- [ONLN.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/ONLN.US.md)

## Related News & Research

- [Walmart Stock Looks Quite Risky Heading Into Q1 Results](https://longbridge.com/en/news/287094193.md)
- [Walmart said shoppers could see higher prices in stores if fuel costs stay elevated](https://longbridge.com/en/news/287237461.md)
- [Erste Group Bank Forecasts Stronger Earnings for Walmart](https://longbridge.com/en/news/286911453.md)
- [BUZZ-PREVIEW: Walmart seen reporting higher rev, EPS in results due Thursday](https://longbridge.com/en/news/287108649.md)
- [If You Invested $100 In Walmart Stock 5 Years Ago, You Would Have This Much Today](https://longbridge.com/en/news/286785565.md)