Walmart Inc. (WMT) AI Stock Analysis
WMT AI stock analysis summary
AI ResearchWalmart Inc. is a global retail and wholesale giant operating discount stores, supercenters, warehouse clubs, and ecommerce platforms. For FY2026, the company generated $713.16B in revenue and $21.89B in net income, while delivering $14.92B in free cash flow. Over the trailing twelve months, revenue reached $735.84B with an operating margin of 3.5%.
- Market cap
- $945.50B
- Revenue (TTM)
- $735.84B
- P/E
- 43.0x fwd 38.0x
- 1Y return
- 12.5% S&P 500 16.8%
- Avg. target
- $127.35 7.2% vs last close
Bull case
- Revenue expanded at a 5-year CAGR of 5.0% through FY2026, reaching $713.16B.
- Operating cash flow reached $41.56B in FY2026, enabling $14.92B in free cash flow after $26.64B in capital expenditures.
- The 5-year share price return of 170.0% outpaced the S&P 500 (SPY) return of 83.0%.
Bear case
- Quarterly earnings fell 9.1% year-over-year in the latest quarter ended July 31, 2026.
- The trailing P/E of 43.0x and forward P/E of 38.0x trade at a premium to the median of its Nasdaq-100 Consumer Defensive peers at 29.2x and 18.2x.
- The balance sheet carries net debt of $62.23B with a current ratio of 0.77 as of July 31, 2026.
What Walmart does
Walmart Inc. operates global retail, wholesale, and other business units organized into Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sam's Club. Its operations include supercenters, supermarkets, hypermarkets, warehouse clubs, cash and carry stores, and discount stores, supported by ecommerce websites such as walmart.com, flipkart.com, and samsclub.com. The company provides grocery and consumable merchandise, health and wellness items, fuel stations, home improvement supplies, apparel, electronics, and seasonal products. It also provides financial services, such as money orders, check cashing, money transfers, bill payment services, and installment lending options.
Growth and profitability
Revenue expanded from $572.75B in FY2022 to $713.16B in FY2026, reflecting a 5-year revenue CAGR of 5.0%. Net income rose from $13.67B in FY2022 to $21.89B in FY2026, with diluted earnings per share increasing from $1.63 to $2.79 over the same timeframe. Annual gross margin stood at 24.9% and operating margin was 4.2% in FY2026. Over the trailing twelve months, revenue totaled $735.84B with a profit margin of 3.0% and an operating margin of 3.5%. For the latest quarter ended July 31, 2026, quarterly revenue grew 5.9% year-over-year, while quarterly earnings fell 9.1%.
Balance sheet and cash flow
As of July 31, 2026, Walmart held $11.53B in cash and short-term investments against total debt of $73.75B, resulting in net debt of $62.23B. Total assets stood at $293.91B and shareholders' equity was $98.24B, with a current ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75. In FY2026, operating cash flow reached $41.56B and free cash flow was $14.92B. Capital expenditures totaled $26.64B, while the company allocated $8.09B to share buybacks and paid $7.51B in dividends.
Valuation and performance
Walmart carries a market capitalization of $945.50B and an enterprise value of $939.14B. The stock trades at a trailing P/E of 43.0x and a forward P/E of 38.0x, compared to 29.2x and 18.2x for the median of its Nasdaq-100 Consumer Defensive peers. Its price-to-sales ratio of 1.3x sits below the peer median of 2.2x, while its EV/EBITDA of 20.1x is higher than the peer median of 16.2x. Over the past year, WMT gained 12.5% versus a 16.8% return for SPY, though its 5-year return of 170.0% outperformed the S&P 500 benchmark's 83.0%.
WMT dividend
Walmart pays an annual forward dividend of $0.99 per share, translating to a dividend yield of 0.83% with a payout ratio of 35.3%. The dividend is distributed quarterly and has been paid for 54 consecutive years. Over the last 5 years, the dividend grew at an annualized rate of 5.5%. The last ex-dividend date is December 11, 2026.
What analysts expect
Wall Street coverage includes 28 Strong Buy, 10 Buy, 4 Hold, 0 Sell, and 1 Strong Sell ratings. The mean price target of $127.35 suggests a 7.2% premium over the last close of $118.81. For the current fiscal year ending January 31, 2027, consensus estimates anticipate revenue of $752.86B and EPS of $2.89. For the next fiscal year, 42 analysts project revenue of $785.57B and EPS of $3.23. The company beat EPS estimates in 2 of the last 4 quarters, and its next earnings date is November 19, 2026.
Key risks and what to watch
- Net debt stood at $62.23B as of July 31, 2026, accompanied by a current ratio of 0.77.
- Walmart's operating margin of 3.5% trails the median of its Nasdaq-100 Consumer Defensive peers of 15.1%.
- Earnings dropped 9.1% year-over-year in the quarter ended July 31, 2026, despite a 5.9% revenue increase.
- A PEG ratio of 4.22 highlights high valuation relative to near-term projected earnings growth.
AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer
About this WMT AI stock analysis
This page is an AI-written research summary of Walmart Inc. (WMT). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.
Related: WMT income statement, WMT balance sheet, WMT key metrics, WMT analyst forecast, WMT chart. See the WMT stock overview for the latest quote and news.
WMT AI stock analysis FAQ
What is Walmart's dividend yield and track record?
Walmart offers a dividend yield of 0.83% based on an annual forward dividend of $0.99. The company has paid dividends for 54 consecutive years, with a 5-year annualized growth rate of 5.5% and a payout ratio of 35.3%.
How does Walmart's valuation compare to its peer group?
Walmart trades at a trailing P/E of 43.0x and a forward P/E of 38.0x, above the median of its Nasdaq-100 Consumer Defensive peers of 29.2x and 18.2x. However, its price-to-sales multiple of 1.3x is below the peer median of 2.2x.
What are analysts expecting for Walmart's upcoming earnings?
For the fiscal year ending January 31, 2027, analysts project revenue of $752.86B and EPS of $2.89, representing 9.3% EPS growth. The next quarterly earnings report is scheduled for November 19, 2026.
How much debt does Walmart have?
As of July 31, 2026, Walmart had total debt of $73.75B and cash and short-term investments of $11.53B, leaving net debt of $62.23B. Its debt-to-equity ratio was 0.75.