Walmart Inc. (WMT), headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas, operates discount stores, supercenters and neighborhood markets. With a market capitalization of $1 billion, the company offers products such as clothing, housewares, small appliances, electronics, musical instruments, books, home improvement, shoes, jewelry, toddler items, games, household essentials, pets, pharmaceuticals, party supplies, and automotive tools.
Shares of this retail giant have outperformed the broader market over the past year. WMT has gained 32.1% during this period, while the broader S&P 500 index ($SPX) has risen almost 29.1%. In 2026, WMT stock is up 13.9%, outpacing the SPX’s 4.3% gain on a year-over-year basis.
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Zooming in closer, WMT’s outperformance is also evident when compared to the State Street SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT). The exchange-traded fund has gained about 22.4% over the past year. Furthermore, WMT’s double-digit gains on a year-over-year basis dwarf the ETF’s 1% decline over the same time period.
Walmart beat expectations in the fourth quarter thanks to strong online growth and increased market share. Global e-commerce sales increased approximately 24%, and express delivery in less than 3 hours grew more than 60% as automation and better inventory technology accelerated fulfillment. Its AI shopping assistant, Sparky, drove 35% more order value for users, while fashion and general merchandise sales were strong both in stores and online. US e-commerce became profitable throughout the year and now accounts for 23% of total sales. Management plans to continue leaning on automation, artificial intelligence and digital to boost profits even if revenue growth slows, while remaining cautious about macroeconomic risks and changes in pharmacy pricing.
For fiscal 2027, which ends in January 2027, analysts expect WMT’s EPS to grow 9.5% to $2.89 on a diluted basis. The company’s history of earnings surprises is mixed. It beat the consensus estimate in three of the last four quarters and missed the forecast another time.
Among the 38 analysts covering WMT stock, the consensus is a “Strong Buy.” This is based on 30 “Strong Buy” ratings, five “Moderate Buys,” two “Holds,” and one “Strong Sell.”
This setup is more optimistic than a month ago, with 29 analysts suggesting a “strong buy” and six recommending a “moderate buy.”