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Walmart (WMT) reported better third-quarter fiscal 2025 results than analysts expected Tuesday morning as it registered growing sales and profits, sending its stock higher.
The retail giant reported $169.59 billion in revenue, up from $160.80 billion a year ago and above the $167.72 billion analysts expected, according to Visible Alpha. Walmart’s net income came in at $4.58 billion, or $0.57 per share, better than expectations of $4.25 billion and $0.53 per share, respectively.
The company’s e-commerce and advertising operations, two of its fastest-growing segments, saw revenue rise by 27% and 28%, respectively, in the quarter. Analysts have said growth in Walmart’s high-margin digital advertising business could help offset the net losses Walmart is still recording in e-commerce and improve the company’s overall margins.
Walmart has been gaining market share among customers across a variety of income levels in recent quarters, and executives have said the retailer’s combination of price and convenience has made it a destination for inflation-weary American consumers.
The retailer also lifted its fiscal 2025 projections, expecting sales to grow between a range of 4.8% to 5.1% year-over-year, up from a previous range of 3.75% to 4.75%. It also raised its adjusted earnings per share (EPS) outlook to a range of $2.42 to $2.47 from $2.35 to $2.43 previously.
Walmart shares, which had gained about 60% for the year entering Tuesday, rose more than 4% soon after the report was released.
Walmart and home improvement giant Lowe’s (LOW) kick off a busy period of retail earnings, with a number of competitors including Target (TGT), TJX Companies (TJX), and BJ’s Wholesale Club (BJ) reporting earnings this week.
The reports from some of the nation’s biggest retailers will provide a view into the health of the U.S. consumer ahead of the holiday shopping season.
