Walmart Stock Holds Near Highs Before Q1 Earnings. Here’s What Matters

Rexielyn Diaz5 minute read
Reviewed by: David Hanson
Last updated Apr 25, 2026

Key Stats for Walmart Stock

  • Past week’s performance: +1.6%
  • 52-week range: $92 to $135
  • Valuation model target price: $150
  • Implied upside: 15.6% over 2.8 years

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What Happened?

Walmart (WMT) stock rose 1.6% this week, even though shares slipped 1.6% on April 24. The move was not driven by a major earnings release. Instead, investors focused on Walmart’s delivery strategy, defensive retail positioning, and upcoming Q1 results.

The clearest weekly catalyst was Walmart’s push to use its stores as fulfillment hubs. Reuters highlighted a Financial Times report that Walmart is challenging Amazon in same-day delivery by using stores as warehouses. That matters because Walmart’s store base gives it inventory closer to customers, which can lower delivery time and cost.

The timing fits Walmart’s recent results. In Q4 FY26, global eCommerce sales rose 24%, led by store-fulfilled pickup and delivery. Walmart U.S. comparable sales grew 4.6%, and eCommerce added about 520 basis points to comp growth.

Management has been clear that speed and convenience are now core to the story. Walmart U.S. CEO John Furner said, “the future is fast, convenient, and personalized.” Investors are pricing Walmart as more than a grocery retailer because digital delivery, advertising, and membership revenue are becoming larger profit drivers.

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Is Walmart Stock Undervalued?

WMT Guided Valuation Model (TIKR)

Under valuation model assumptions realized through 12/31/28, the stock is modeled using:

  • Revenue growth (CAGR): 4.7%
  • Operating Margins: 4.9%
  • Exit P/E Multiple: 39x

Based on these inputs, the model estimates a target price of $150, implying 15.6% total upside from the current share price of $130 and an annualized return of 5.4% over the next 2.8 years.

That return profile is modest. It suggests Walmart can still compound higher, but the stock is not deeply cheap after its strong run. At today’s price, investors are paying for stability, execution, and Walmart’s ability to turn scale into higher-margin businesses.

WMT Revenues and EBIT Margin % (TIKR)

The 4.7% revenue growth assumption is reasonable because Walmart guided FY27 net sales growth of 3.5% to 4.5%. Revenue growth is not the main upside driver. The bigger question is whether eCommerce, advertising, and membership can lift profit faster than sales.

That is why the 4.9% operating margin assumption matters. Walmart’s LTM EBIT margin is only 4.2%, so even small margin gains can move earnings meaningfully. Advertising, marketplace, and memberships carry better economics than traditional grocery sales, helping explain the premium valuation.

What’s Driving WMT Stock Going Forward?

The next near-term catalyst is the May 8 dividend record date. Walmart raised its annual dividend to $0.99 per share, marking its 53rd consecutive annual dividend increase. The dividend is not the main growth driver, but it supports the stock’s defensive appeal.

The bigger catalyst is Q1 FY27 earnings in May. Walmart guided Q1 net sales growth of 3.5% to 4.5%, operating income growth of 4.0% to 6.0%, and adjusted EPS of $0.63 to $0.65. Investors will watch whether profit grows faster than sales again.

Same-day delivery will also stay in focus over the next month. Walmart’s stores give it a physical network that Amazon cannot easily copy. If delivery growth keeps lifting eCommerce contribution, the market may keep valuing Walmart more like an omnichannel platform.

The June 4 annual meeting is another event to watch. Walmart released its 2026 annual report and proxy statement this week, with the meeting set for a virtual format. Investors may look for more detail on capital spending, automation, store fulfillment, and long-term margin priorities.

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Should You Invest in Walmart?

The only way to really know is to look at the numbers yourself. TIKR gives you free access to the same institutional-quality financial data that professional analysts use to answer exactly that question.

Pull up WMT, and you’ll see years of historical financials, what Wall Street analysts expect for revenue and earnings in the quarters ahead, how valuation multiples have moved over time, and whether price targets are trending up or down.

You can build a free watchlist to track WMT alongside every other stock on your radar. No credit card required. Just the data you need to decide for yourself.

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Disclaimer:

Please note that the articles on TIKR are not intended to serve as investment or financial advice from TIKR or our content team, nor are they recommendations to buy or sell any stocks. We create our content based on TIKR Terminal’s investment data and analysts’ estimates. Our analysis might not include recent company news or important updates. TIKR has no position in any stocks mentioned. Thank you for reading, and happy investing!

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