Walmart shares slide 7% as earnings outlook flags US consumer pressure

Walmart reported first‑quarter revenue of $177.75 billion, slightly above analysts’ $174.98 billion estimate, and a 7% year‑over‑year sales increase. Comparable store sales rose 4.1% and digital commerce grew 26%, with advertising revenue up 37%. However, the retailer forecast full‑year adjusted earnings per share of $2.75‑$2.85 for fiscal 2027, below the consensus of $2.91, and projected quarterly earnings of $0.72‑$0.74 per share, short of the $0.75 expected. CFO John David Rainey warned that the tax‑refund cushion that had softened the impact of higher fuel prices on households would disappear in the second quarter, increasing pressure on discretionary spending. The weaker guidance sent Walmart’s stock down about 7% in trading. Analysts see the outlook as an early signal of strained consumer demand in the United States despite Walmart’s growth in higher‑income shoppers and online sales.