Walmart is set to report earnings before the bell — here's what Wall Street expects

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  • Walmart's first-quarter earnings will show how much of its sales growth it has sustained, particularly in its e-commerce business, as some consumers return to more typical pre-pandemic spending patterns.
  • Wall Street investors will listen for updates on efforts to expand beyond retail into areas including advertising, health care and financial services.
  • The company is also expected to provide an update on Walmart+, its new subscription service and loyalty program.

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Walmart is set to report its fiscal first-quarter earnings before the bell on Tuesday.

Here's what Wall Street is expecting, according to Refinitiv consensus estimates:

  • Earnings per share: $1.21
  • Revenue: $131.97 billion

The discounter's results will show how much of its sales growth it has been able to sustain, particularly in its e-commerce business, as more consumers get Covid-19 vaccinations and return to more typical, pre-pandemic spending habits. Same-store sales growth rose by 8.6% and e-commerce growth soared by 79% in the U.S. in the most recent fiscal year — a sharp trajectory that will be difficult to match.

Walmart has said it expects net sales to grow in the low single digits with operating income and earnings per share flat or up slightly this fiscal year, when excluding the impact of divestitures. It has not provided a more detailed forecast.

The company is looking to drive customer loyalty with Walmart+, a subscription service that it launched in September. It has between 8 million and 9 million members, according to a recent estimate by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners. With the program, the retailer can also give a boost to other emerging parts of its business — like collecting more consumer data that it can use for its growing ad business and selling new kinds of services to customers from financial tools to health-care appointments.

As of Monday's close, Walmart's shares have declined nearly 4% so far this year. Shares closed at $138.89 on Monday, bringing the company's market value to $390.76 billion.

This story is developing. Please check back for updates.

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