Analysts expect Walmart to report 74 cents per share as consumer spending trends diverge across income groups.
Walmart is set to release fiscal second-quarter earnings before U.S. markets open Thursday, with analysts forecasting revenue of $186.77 billion and earnings per share of 74 cents. The retailer, a key barometer of U.S. consumer health, has navigated macroeconomic pressures by appealing to both low- and high-income shoppers, though income disparities are widening.
In the prior quarter, Walmart issued a weaker-than-expected outlook, citing rising gas prices and lower consumer confidence. It was one of only three misses in the past 16 quarters, with higher tax refunds temporarily easing pressure earlier in the year. Analysts now anticipate a slowdown in comparable sales as prior tariff-driven price increases fade.
The results may offer insights into shifting consumer behavior amid economic uncertainty, particularly as spending patterns differ across income brackets.