On Aug. 20, Walmart (WMT +0.15%) will report second-quarter earnings for its fiscal 2027. With the stock price well below its 52-week high of $135.16, shareholders are hoping the retail giant will raise its full-year guidance in hopes of giving the stock price a boost.
That said, hoping for a boost in guidance isn't a reason to buy Walmart before Aug. 20, especially since one may not arrive.
Image source: The Motley Fool.
The struggles from last quarter
In the first quarter of 2027, Walmart was dealing with higher fuel costs and seeing signs of stress on lower-income consumers.That led to a cautious outlook for its Q2, which disappointed the markets.
Looking at Q2 for Walmart, issues with higher fuel costs and shoppers on tighter budgets are unlikely to have improved since it last reported earnings. If Walmart were to base its guidance boost solely on those two issues, it would seem doubtful that the retail giant would feel confident enough to raise it.
That could change, however, if it's seeing enough revenue growth through its advertising business, online shopping, and noticeable increases in its Walmart+ memberships. But again, hoping for Walmart to raise its guidance is not a reason to own the stock.
NASDAQ: WMT
Key Data Points
Buying Walmart before Aug. 20
Walmart would be worth considering as an investment for someone with a long-term investing horizon. It's building new revenue sources, with its global online sales growing by 26% in Q1 2027 and advertising revenue increasing by 37%.
It's also a Dividend King, with a steady enough business to increase its dividend payout for more than 50 consecutive years to earn that title. After Aug. 20, the stock price may find a short-term direction, but that matters less for anyone who thinks in terms of years when it comes to investing.
