Key Stock Developments on Thursday: Factors That May Influence the Market in the Upcoming Trading Session
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Aug 20 2025
0mins
Source: CNBC
Walmart Earnings Report: Walmart is set to release its quarterly earnings on Thursday, with shares having increased nearly 5% over the past three months but down 2.6% from its 52-week high.
Workday Performance: Workday will report its earnings after the market closes on Thursday, with its stock experiencing a decline of nearly 17% in the last three months and down 22% from its December peak.
Disney CEO Appearance: Disney's CEO Bob Iger will appear on "Squawk on the Street," as Disney shares are currently 6% below their 52-week high, despite being up 30% over the past year.
Federal Reserve Discussions: CNBC's senior economics reporter will cover key topics at Jackson Hole, including interest rates and potential controversies involving Federal Reserve officials, along with weekly jobless claims data.
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Analyst Views on WMT
Wall Street analysts forecast WMT stock price to rise
26 Analyst Rating
25 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 121.340
Low
119.00
Averages
125.75
High
136.00
Current: 121.340
Low
119.00
Averages
125.75
High
136.00
About WMT
Walmart Inc. is a technology-powered omnichannel retailer. The Company is engaged in the operation of retail and wholesale stores and clubs, as well as eCommerce Websites and mobile applications, located throughout the United States (U.S.), Africa, Canada, Central America, Chile, China, India and Mexico. It operates in three reportable segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International and Sam's Club U.S. The Walmart U.S. segment includes the Company's mass merchandising concept in the U.S., as well as eCommerce, which includes omni-channel initiatives and certain other business offerings such as advertising services. The Walmart International segment consists of the Company's operations outside of the U.S. through its subsidiaries, as well as eCommerce and omni-channel initiatives. The Sam's Club U.S. segment includes the warehouse membership clubs in the U.S., as well as samsclub.com and omni-channel initiatives.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Walmart Reports Sales Growth but Stock Declines
- Sales Growth Performance: Walmart's Q1 revenue rose 7.3% year-over-year to $177.75 billion, surpassing the market expectation of $174.98 billion, demonstrating strong performance under consumer pressure, although the stock price declined due to high valuation.
- E-commerce Surge: E-commerce sales jumped 26%, with customers using Walmart's AI tool spending 35% more, indicating significant progress in digital transformation that could lay the groundwork for future revenue growth.
- International Market Performance: International sales surged 18% to $35.1 billion, with international e-commerce sales climbing 27%, reflecting strong demand in global markets and enhancing Walmart's strategic position internationally.
- Future Outlook: Walmart projects Q2 sales growth of 4% to 5% and adjusted EPS between $0.72 and $0.74, although analysts hoped for an upward revision of guidance, the current high valuation limits the stock's upside potential.
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Walmart Reports 7% Revenue Growth, But Future Outlook Worries Investors
- Quarterly Revenue Performance: Walmart's revenue for the latest quarter rose over 7% year-over-year to $177.8 billion, showcasing solid growth amidst broader retail sector challenges due to economic conditions.
- Future Growth Slowdown: The company projects a net sales growth rate between 4% and 5% for the current quarter, dropping to 3.5% to 4.5% for the full year, indicating concerns about economic uncertainty and the potential impact of rising oil prices.
- Stock Price Volatility: Following the earnings report, Walmart's stock fell 8%, pushing its market valuation below $1 trillion, reflecting investor caution regarding its high valuation amidst future uncertainties.
- Investor Sentiment Shift: Despite a 0.8% dividend yield, Walmart's 42 times trailing earnings significantly exceed the S&P 500 average of 26 times, leading value-seeking investors to consider alternative stocks that may offer better opportunities.
See More
Walmart's Earnings Fail to Impress Investors, Stock Drops
- Disappointing Earnings: Walmart's latest earnings report revealed a revenue increase of over 7% to $177.8 billion, yet investor concerns about future prospects led to an 8% drop in stock price, pushing its market cap below $1 trillion.
- Sales Growth Downgrade: The company projected a net sales growth rate of only 4% to 5% for the current quarter, with annual expectations dropping to 3.5% to 4.5%, reflecting worries about the economic environment and rising oil prices potentially impacting consumer spending.
- Valuation Pressure: Walmart's stock trades at a high P/E ratio of 42, significantly above the S&P 500 average of 26, and despite a recent decline, it is still considered overpriced given its single-digit growth performance.
- Investor Sentiment Shift: Due to uncertainties ahead and high valuations, investors quickly sold off Walmart shares, and although it offers a 0.8% dividend yield, there remains significant risk for further declines.
See More
Walmart Earnings Disappoint, Stock Drops 8%
- Disappointing Earnings: Walmart's latest earnings report revealed a revenue increase of over 7% to $177.8 billion, yet it failed to meet investor expectations, resulting in an 8% stock drop within a week and pushing its valuation below $1 trillion, indicating market concerns about future growth.
- Slowing Sales Growth: The company projected a net sales growth rate of only 4% to 5% for the current quarter, with a further drop to 3.5% to 4.5% for the full year, highlighting Walmart's vulnerability amid economic pressures and rising oil prices, which could impact its long-term growth potential.
- High Valuation Risks: Despite the recent stock decline, Walmart's price-to-earnings ratio remains at 42 times, significantly above the S&P 500 average of 26, raising investor concerns about overvaluation and exacerbating selling pressure, reflecting a lack of confidence in its future profitability.
- Shifting Investor Sentiment: With Walmart not making it onto The Motley Fool's list of top investment stocks, investor confidence in its future performance has waned, potentially leading to further capital outflows and increasing the risk of additional stock price declines.
See More
Target Reports Strong Earnings and Upgraded Guidance Amid Economic Caution
- Significant Sales Growth: Target's Q1 net sales reached $25.4 billion, marking a nearly 7% year-over-year increase, indicating a rebound in consumer demand with growth across multiple categories, thereby boosting market confidence.
- Earnings Beat Expectations: The company reported earnings per share of $1.71, significantly surpassing analysts' expectations of $1.46, reflecting strong profitability that may attract more investor interest.
- Upgraded Guidance: Target raised its full-year net sales growth forecast to around 4%, higher than previous estimates, although CEO Michael Fiddelke emphasized a cautious outlook due to economic uncertainties, showcasing a balance of optimism and vigilance.
- Stock Price Upside Potential: Since the beginning of the year, Target's stock has risen over 28%, with a current P/E ratio below 17, well under the S&P 500's average of 26, and with a 3.6% dividend yield, it presents a compelling addition to investment portfolios.
See More
Target's Q1 Earnings Exceed Expectations with Raised Guidance
- Strong Performance: Target's Q1 net sales reached $25.4 billion, marking a nearly 7% year-over-year increase, surpassing analyst expectations of $24.6 billion, indicating robust growth across multiple categories and strengthening consumer demand.
- Profitability Boost: The company reported earnings per share of $1.71, significantly exceeding the projected $1.46, reflecting effective strategies in cost management and sales growth, which bolstered investor confidence.
- Cautiously Optimistic Guidance: While raising its full-year net sales growth forecast to around 4%, CEO Michael Fiddelke emphasized economic uncertainties, demonstrating a balanced approach of optimism tempered with caution regarding future challenges.
- Stock Performance and Valuation: Target's stock has risen over 28% since the beginning of the year, yet its valuation remains modest at less than 17 times trailing earnings, significantly lower than the S&P 500 average of 26, highlighting its attractiveness and potential investment opportunities.
See More
Walmart Reports Sales Growth but Stock Declines
- Sales Growth Performance: Walmart's Q1 revenue rose 7.3% year-over-year to $177.75 billion, surpassing the market expectation of $174.98 billion, demonstrating strong performance under consumer pressure, although the stock price declined due to high valuation.
- E-commerce Surge: E-commerce sales jumped 26%, with customers using Walmart's AI tool spending 35% more, indicating significant progress in digital transformation that could lay the groundwork for future revenue growth.
- International Market Performance: International sales surged 18% to $35.1 billion, with international e-commerce sales climbing 27%, reflecting strong demand in global markets and enhancing Walmart's strategic position internationally.
- Future Outlook: Walmart projects Q2 sales growth of 4% to 5% and adjusted EPS between $0.72 and $0.74, although analysts hoped for an upward revision of guidance, the current high valuation limits the stock's upside potential.
See More
Walmart Reports 7% Revenue Growth, But Future Outlook Worries Investors
- Quarterly Revenue Performance: Walmart's revenue for the latest quarter rose over 7% year-over-year to $177.8 billion, showcasing solid growth amidst broader retail sector challenges due to economic conditions.
- Future Growth Slowdown: The company projects a net sales growth rate between 4% and 5% for the current quarter, dropping to 3.5% to 4.5% for the full year, indicating concerns about economic uncertainty and the potential impact of rising oil prices.
- Stock Price Volatility: Following the earnings report, Walmart's stock fell 8%, pushing its market valuation below $1 trillion, reflecting investor caution regarding its high valuation amidst future uncertainties.
- Investor Sentiment Shift: Despite a 0.8% dividend yield, Walmart's 42 times trailing earnings significantly exceed the S&P 500 average of 26 times, leading value-seeking investors to consider alternative stocks that may offer better opportunities.
See More
Walmart's Earnings Fail to Impress Investors, Stock Drops
- Disappointing Earnings: Walmart's latest earnings report revealed a revenue increase of over 7% to $177.8 billion, yet investor concerns about future prospects led to an 8% drop in stock price, pushing its market cap below $1 trillion.
- Sales Growth Downgrade: The company projected a net sales growth rate of only 4% to 5% for the current quarter, with annual expectations dropping to 3.5% to 4.5%, reflecting worries about the economic environment and rising oil prices potentially impacting consumer spending.
- Valuation Pressure: Walmart's stock trades at a high P/E ratio of 42, significantly above the S&P 500 average of 26, and despite a recent decline, it is still considered overpriced given its single-digit growth performance.
- Investor Sentiment Shift: Due to uncertainties ahead and high valuations, investors quickly sold off Walmart shares, and although it offers a 0.8% dividend yield, there remains significant risk for further declines.
See More
Walmart Earnings Disappoint, Stock Drops 8%
- Disappointing Earnings: Walmart's latest earnings report revealed a revenue increase of over 7% to $177.8 billion, yet it failed to meet investor expectations, resulting in an 8% stock drop within a week and pushing its valuation below $1 trillion, indicating market concerns about future growth.
- Slowing Sales Growth: The company projected a net sales growth rate of only 4% to 5% for the current quarter, with a further drop to 3.5% to 4.5% for the full year, highlighting Walmart's vulnerability amid economic pressures and rising oil prices, which could impact its long-term growth potential.
- High Valuation Risks: Despite the recent stock decline, Walmart's price-to-earnings ratio remains at 42 times, significantly above the S&P 500 average of 26, raising investor concerns about overvaluation and exacerbating selling pressure, reflecting a lack of confidence in its future profitability.
- Shifting Investor Sentiment: With Walmart not making it onto The Motley Fool's list of top investment stocks, investor confidence in its future performance has waned, potentially leading to further capital outflows and increasing the risk of additional stock price declines.
See More
Target Reports Strong Earnings and Upgraded Guidance Amid Economic Caution
- Significant Sales Growth: Target's Q1 net sales reached $25.4 billion, marking a nearly 7% year-over-year increase, indicating a rebound in consumer demand with growth across multiple categories, thereby boosting market confidence.
- Earnings Beat Expectations: The company reported earnings per share of $1.71, significantly surpassing analysts' expectations of $1.46, reflecting strong profitability that may attract more investor interest.
- Upgraded Guidance: Target raised its full-year net sales growth forecast to around 4%, higher than previous estimates, although CEO Michael Fiddelke emphasized a cautious outlook due to economic uncertainties, showcasing a balance of optimism and vigilance.
- Stock Price Upside Potential: Since the beginning of the year, Target's stock has risen over 28%, with a current P/E ratio below 17, well under the S&P 500's average of 26, and with a 3.6% dividend yield, it presents a compelling addition to investment portfolios.
See More
Target's Q1 Earnings Exceed Expectations with Raised Guidance
- Strong Performance: Target's Q1 net sales reached $25.4 billion, marking a nearly 7% year-over-year increase, surpassing analyst expectations of $24.6 billion, indicating robust growth across multiple categories and strengthening consumer demand.
- Profitability Boost: The company reported earnings per share of $1.71, significantly exceeding the projected $1.46, reflecting effective strategies in cost management and sales growth, which bolstered investor confidence.
- Cautiously Optimistic Guidance: While raising its full-year net sales growth forecast to around 4%, CEO Michael Fiddelke emphasized economic uncertainties, demonstrating a balanced approach of optimism tempered with caution regarding future challenges.
- Stock Performance and Valuation: Target's stock has risen over 28% since the beginning of the year, yet its valuation remains modest at less than 17 times trailing earnings, significantly lower than the S&P 500 average of 26, highlighting its attractiveness and potential investment opportunities.
See More
