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
Should l Buy WMT?
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 fall over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for WMT is 125.75 USD with a low forecast of 119.00 USD and a high forecast of 136.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
26 Analyst Rating
25 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 128.770
Low
119.00
Averages
125.75
High
136.00
Current: 128.770
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.
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- Company Overview: As a people-led, tech-powered omnichannel retailer, Walmart serves approximately 270 million customers weekly across more than 10,750 stores and various eCommerce platforms, emphasizing its commitment to saving money and improving lives.
- Financial Performance: In fiscal year 2025, Walmart reported revenues of $681 billion, underscoring its robust market position in the retail sector, while employing around 2.1 million associates globally, highlighting its role in job creation.
- Sustainability Leadership: Walmart continues to lead in sustainability, corporate philanthropy, and employment opportunities, demonstrating its commitment to social responsibility and further solidifying its influence in the global retail market.
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- Surge in Trading Volume: The trading volume reached 78.6 million shares, about 70% above the three-month average of 46.3 million shares, indicating heightened market attention and anxiety regarding Amazon's future developments.
- Analyst Target Downgrade: Daiwa Securities cut Amazon's stock price target from $300 to $280, primarily due to concerns over execution risks, which could affect investor confidence in its long-term growth prospects.
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- Disclosure Details: The trades were executed by McGuire's spouse through an IRA, with a maximum disclosed trade size of $15,000, suggesting he may not have been directly involved in the transactions, which raises questions about transparency.
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- Store Advantage: With 4,700 stores serving as distribution hubs, Walmart can quickly fulfill orders, particularly in markets where Amazon does not yet offer same-day delivery, enhancing customer shopping experience and convenience.
- Market Expansion Potential: Walmart has a store within 10 miles of 90% of the U.S. population and over 10,800 stores globally, indicating significant expansion potential across various markets, especially maintaining stable growth under economic pressure.
- Dividend Stability: Having raised its dividend for 52 consecutive years, Walmart is a Dividend King; despite a current yield of only 0.7%, its reliability and stability attract investors, further enhancing the stock's investment value.
See More
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- E-Commerce Sales Surge: Walmart's e-commerce sales increased by 27% year-over-year in the fiscal third quarter of 2026, driving a total revenue increase of 5.8%, demonstrating its successful digital transformation and solidifying its market position.
- Market Expansion Strategy: By utilizing its 4,700 stores as distribution hubs, Walmart can quickly meet customer demands, especially in markets where Amazon does not yet offer same-day delivery, enhancing its competitive edge.
- Dividend King Status: Walmart has raised its dividend for 52 consecutive years, with expectations to reach 53 next week; despite a current yield of only 0.7%, its reliability attracts investors, reflecting the company's resilience under economic pressure.
- Global Store Network: With over 10,800 stores worldwide, and 90% of the U.S. population living within 10 miles of a Walmart, the company has ample room for expansion in various markets, showcasing its potential for continued growth.
See More
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- Earnings Release Schedule: Walmart is set to announce its fourth quarter earnings on February 19, 2026, at 6 a.m. CST, followed by a live investor conference call at 7 a.m. CST, where CEO John Furner and CFO John David Rainey will discuss the results and answer questions.
- Company Overview: As a people-led, tech-powered omnichannel retailer, Walmart serves approximately 270 million customers weekly across more than 10,750 stores and various eCommerce platforms, emphasizing its commitment to saving money and improving lives.
- Financial Performance: In fiscal year 2025, Walmart reported revenues of $681 billion, underscoring its robust market position in the retail sector, while employing around 2.1 million associates globally, highlighting its role in job creation.
- Sustainability Leadership: Walmart continues to lead in sustainability, corporate philanthropy, and employment opportunities, demonstrating its commitment to social responsibility and further solidifying its influence in the global retail market.
See More
Amazon Stock Drops Amid AI Spending Concerns
- Stock Decline: Amazon (AMZN) closed at $199.6 on Thursday, down 2.20%, reflecting investor concerns over the company's $200 billion AI infrastructure spending plan, which may impact future profitability.
- Surge in Trading Volume: The trading volume reached 78.6 million shares, about 70% above the three-month average of 46.3 million shares, indicating heightened market attention and anxiety regarding Amazon's future developments.
- Analyst Target Downgrade: Daiwa Securities cut Amazon's stock price target from $300 to $280, primarily due to concerns over execution risks, which could affect investor confidence in its long-term growth prospects.
- Historical Context: Since its IPO in 1997, Amazon's stock has grown 203,746%, and despite facing similar spending concerns in the past, the company's previous investment returns have earned it market trust, suggesting that the current stock slide may present a good buying opportunity for investors.
See More
Congressman’s Rapid Microsoft Trade Raises Eyebrows
- Questionable Timing: Congressman John McGuire's rapid buying and selling of Microsoft stock within just 10 days raises concerns about the unusual nature of his trading activities, particularly given his role on the Armed Services Committee, which may present potential conflicts of interest.
- Disclosure Details: The trades were executed by McGuire's spouse through an IRA, with a maximum disclosed trade size of $15,000, suggesting he may not have been directly involved in the transactions, which raises questions about transparency.
- Market Reaction Analysis: Microsoft shares traded between $438.68 and $452.69 at purchase and fell to $426.45 to $439.60 at sale, indicating a potential loss of 5.8%, highlighting the risks associated with his investment decisions.
- Historical Trading Context: Since joining Congress in 2025, McGuire has had minimal trading activity, with previous trades also drawing scrutiny regarding potential conflicts of interest in the healthcare sector, intensifying public scrutiny of his trading behavior.
See More
Walmart and McDonald's Defensive Investment Risks
- Market Performance Comparison: Walmart's market cap has reached $1 trillion, with a 170% increase over the past five years, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 75% return; however, its high valuation with a P/E ratio soaring from 16.5 in 2008 to 45 today indicates a lack of margin of safety in a downturn.
- Dividend Yield Analysis: Walmart's dividend yield stands at a mere 0.7%, well below its 10-year average of 1.8%, while competitor Target offers a 3.9% yield, potentially attracting consumers to lower-priced retail during economic downturns.
- Challenges for McDonald's: McDonald's P/E ratio has risen from 15 in 2008 to 30 today; despite its relatively stable performance in the fast-food sector, changing consumer spending patterns due to
See More
Walmart Joins the $1 Trillion Market Club
- Strong E-commerce Growth: Walmart's e-commerce sales surged 27% year-over-year in Q3 2026, driving a 5.8% increase in total revenue, showcasing its robust competitiveness and ongoing appeal in the retail market.
- Store Advantage: With 4,700 stores serving as distribution hubs, Walmart can quickly fulfill orders, particularly in markets where Amazon does not yet offer same-day delivery, enhancing customer shopping experience and convenience.
- Market Expansion Potential: Walmart has a store within 10 miles of 90% of the U.S. population and over 10,800 stores globally, indicating significant expansion potential across various markets, especially maintaining stable growth under economic pressure.
- Dividend Stability: Having raised its dividend for 52 consecutive years, Walmart is a Dividend King; despite a current yield of only 0.7%, its reliability and stability attract investors, further enhancing the stock's investment value.
See More
Walmart Stock Soars Amid E-Commerce Growth and Tariff Management
- E-Commerce Sales Surge: Walmart's e-commerce sales increased by 27% year-over-year in the fiscal third quarter of 2026, driving a total revenue increase of 5.8%, demonstrating its successful digital transformation and solidifying its market position.
- Market Expansion Strategy: By utilizing its 4,700 stores as distribution hubs, Walmart can quickly meet customer demands, especially in markets where Amazon does not yet offer same-day delivery, enhancing its competitive edge.
- Dividend King Status: Walmart has raised its dividend for 52 consecutive years, with expectations to reach 53 next week; despite a current yield of only 0.7%, its reliability attracts investors, reflecting the company's resilience under economic pressure.
- Global Store Network: With over 10,800 stores worldwide, and 90% of the U.S. population living within 10 miles of a Walmart, the company has ample room for expansion in various markets, showcasing its potential for continued growth.
See More
