The world's largest retailer is due to release its fourth quarter and full-year fiscal 2026 earnings on Feb. 19. Walmart (WMT +0.33%) is coming into this earnings season on a high, as the stock is up over 13% year to date. Ongoing omnichannel growth and solid fundamentals mean investors shouldn't overthink timing if they are looking to increase their long-term position in the company.
NASDAQ: WMT
Key Data Points
Walmart's strength comes not only from its massive scale but also from its pricing power and e-commerce dominance. Walmart also attracts consumers from across income demographics, which is important if the economy falters. Walmart's biggest advantage is that it benefits mightily when consumers increase their need for low-priced goods.
The stock has performed well in the last year and over a longer time horizon. In the past five years, Walmart's stock increased more than 160%, well outpacing the S&P 500. In its last quarterly earnings report in November 2025, Walmart beat Wall Street expectations and increased its guidance.
The global retailer also recently joined the rare club of companies with a market cap of $1 trillion in early February 2026. Its forward P/E ratio has also increased to more than 40, and its PEG ratio is 4.
Image source: Getty Images.
Walmart is still a buy
There's an argument to be made that Walmart's stock is currently overvalued. In the short term, this is true. However, long-term investors shouldn't worry about getting in before Feb. 19; instead, they should buy the stock for its worldwide prowess and exciting growth prospects.
Walmart is currently in 19 countries and aggressively expanding. The company hopes to double international revenue by 2028.
Historically, patience and the company's execution excellence have rewarded investors who bought and held the stock for many years. There's no reason that trend won't continue.
