Walmart is set to report its fiscal first-quarter earnings on Thursday, a move closely watched by investors and economists looking for signs of the U.S. consumer’s strength and the impact of higher tariffs on the retail industry.
Competitive Advantage
The nation’s largest grocer has an advantage over other retailers in uncertain economic times because it sells food and necessities that drive steady store and website traffic. Walmart has also attracted wealthier shoppers with:
- Faster deliveries
- Store remodels
- A wider assortment of brands
This strategy has helped boost profits beyond traditional retail sales.
Growth in New Businesses
Walmart is expanding into newer businesses such as:
- Advertising
- Delivery services, including the Shipt grocery delivery service, a competitor to Instacart
At an investor day last month, Walmart maintained its first-quarter sales outlook but widened its operating income guidance due to uncertainty about tariff impacts.
Trade Policy Developments
Chief Financial Officer John David Rainey indicated that April was expected to be stronger than March due to Easter holiday shopping. The company now faces new developments in trade policy after President Donald Trump announced that China agreed to temporarily cut duties on U.S. goods from 145% back down to 30%.
Beijing will also lower tariffs on U.S. goods from 125% back down to 10%. Retailers may import more products for their crucial back-to-school season now that there is a temporary reprieve from tariffs.
Analyst Expectations
Simeon Gutman at Morgan Stanley expects companies like Walmart "to take full advantage" of this window while they can still operate without being hurt by high duty rates.
Analysts forecast Walmart’s earnings per share at $0.58 versus $0.55 in Q1 FY22, with revenue expected at $165 billion versus $152 billion in Q1 FY22. Wall Street analysts’ forecasts are subject to change.
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