Walmart Inc.
CEO : Mr. C. Douglas McMillon
Quarterly earnings growth(YoY,%)
| Period | Revenue | Operating Income | EPS | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 5.5% YoY | 8.2% | 916.0% | 2024-11-19 |
John David Rainey says,
Financial Performance and Sales Growth
- Q3 sales, operating income, and EPS exceeded the top end of guidance ranges.
- Enterprise net sales growth was over 6% on a constant currency basis.
- Walmart U.S. comp sales increased by 5.3%, with eCommerce sales growing 22%.
- International sales saw constant currency growth of 12.4%, driven by strong performance in Flipkart, Walmex, and China.
Operational Highlights and Strategy Execution
- Store fulfilled delivery surged nearly 50%, surpassing a $2.5 billion monthly run rate.
- Food categories reached the highest unit volume growth in four years.
- Mid-teens growth in health and wellness, with branded pharmacy scripts like GLP-1 contributing to the segment comp.
- Improved margins in the U.S. reflected inventory management and reduced markdown levels.
- International eCommerce sales increased by 43%, with a focus on delivery speed.
Margin and Profitability Improvements
- Consolidated gross margin expanded by 21 basis points.
- Third consecutive quarter of approximately 40% reduction in U.S. net delivery cost per order.
- Automation progress with more than 50% of fulfillment center volume now automated.
- Marketplace and fulfillment services in the U.S. saw more than 30% growth over the past five quarters.
Guidance and Future Projections
- Full year sales growth is now expected to be 4.8% to 5.1% on a constant currency basis.
- Operating income growth guidance has been raised to 8.5% to 9.25%.
- Adjusted EPS is projected to be between $2.42 and $2.47.
- Expected currency headwinds in Q4 could impact reported sales and operating income growth by approximately 100 and 200 basis points, respectively.
Notable Events and Strategic Initiatives
- Sam’s Club introduced new member perks, boosting eCommerce growth and customer satisfaction.
- Flipkart launched quick commerce service “Flipkart Minutes,” offering under 15-minute delivery.
- Walmart is scaling growth drivers such as advertising, membership, marketplace, and data analytics.
- Sam’s Club U.S. comp sales ex-fuel rose by 7% with eCommerce growth of 26%.
- Impact from hurricanes resulted in temporary closures but strong community support response.
Doug McMillon says,
Financial Performance Highlights
- Sales for the quarter grew by 6.1% in constant currency, while profits increased by 9.8%.
- eCommerce surged by 27%, advertising revenue grew by 28%, and membership income rose by 22%.
- Walmart International sales increased by 12.4% in constant currency.
- Sam’s Club U.S. reported a comp sales increase of 7%, while Walmart U.S. had a comp sales increase of 5.3%.
- The storm and port strike events slightly increased sales growth but negatively impacted operating income growth.
Market Trends and Consumer Behavior
- Walmart continues to gain market share in the U.S. in grocery and general merchandise.
- Majority (75%) of share gains in the U.S. came from households earning more than $100,000.
- General merchandise sales in the U.S. saw low-single-digit growth despite price deflation of over 4%.
- In-store volumes are growing, with curbside pickup and delivery sales growing even faster.
- Inventory is in a very good shape across the company.
Operational Developments
- Elimination of traditional checkouts at Sam’s Club with enhanced Scan & Go and computer vision exit technology.
- Expansion of digital sales in China with over 50 Sam’s Clubs and 350 distribution points offering 1-hour delivery service.
- Innovative initiatives in Mexico, including growth in eCommerce and financial services.
- Investment in AI and machine learning to improve customer experiences and operational efficiencies.
- Generative AI tools like My Assistant are enhancing associate productivity and engagement.
Community and Crisis Management Initiatives
- Walmart and the Walmart Foundation committed $16 million for disaster relief during U.S. port strikes and hurricanes.
- Support included 178 truckloads of supplies, $10 million in cash grants, and facilitation of 544,000 meals.
- Additional $14.5 million contributed by customers and members through campaigns.
- Efficient emergency response and recovery coordination with federal, state, and local leaders.
Future Outlook and Strategic Positioning
- Efforts to transform the business for future growth continued, with strong results so far.
- Continued focus on enhancing customer convenience through omnichannel strategies.
- Significant investment in technology and innovation to improve both customer and employee experiences.
- International expansion and digitalization efforts are positioning the company for sustained growth.
- Walmart is well-positioned to adapt and thrive in an evolving retail landscape.
Q & A sessions,
Financial Performance and Guidance
- There is a modest improvement expected in 4Q performance compared to the previous guidance.
- Gross margin (GM) has improved slightly due to better-than-expected shrink performance in the U.S. and Sam’s segment.
- Enterprise growth in key areas: 28% in advertising, 42% in marketplace, and 23% in membership income.
- The company aims to grow sales by about 4% annually on average over the next several years, with operating income growing faster than sales.
- Year-to-date performance indicates approximately 5% top-line growth and about 10% profit growth.
eCommerce and Digital Business Growth
- eCommerce growth over the last eight quarters is emphasized, with continued investment expected for future growth.
- eCommerce had a significant quarter with 22% growth, led by marketplace expansion.
- The business mix includes first-party (1P) and third-party (3P) offerings, with investments aimed at long-term profitability despite potential short-term impacts.
- Emphasis on digital transitions and omni-channel strategies to enhance customer convenience and satisfaction.
Category Performance and Market Share
- Walmart is experiencing increased market share, particularly in grocery and consumables, compared to general merchandise.
- Higher income customers are contributing to market share gains, especially in specialty grocery items.
- Potential for further market share growth in fashion categories, driven by eCommerce opportunities.
- Efforts to expand product assortment and improve the customer experience are ongoing.
Operational Investments and SG&A
- Increased investment in marketing has been noted, driving general merchandise performance.
- Incentive pay for frontline associates is aligned with company performance, impacting SG&A.
- The shift towards digital channels exerts pressure on SG&A, but the company aims for efficiency improvements.
- Long-term goals include reaching the 20% range in SG&A while maintaining everyday low prices.
Strategic Outlook and Future Investments
- The company is committed to balancing profit expansion with necessary business investments, focusing on long-term health.
- Investments in areas like automation and technology are designed to enhance customer service and business efficiency.
- Walmart+ and other membership services are seen as integral to customer retention and long-term success.
- Continued focus on omni-channel capabilities to offer competitive pricing and convenience.



