UBS raises Walmart price target to $149 and keeps Buy rating

UBS lifted its price target for Walmart Inc. to $149 from $130 while maintaining a Buy rating. The broker expects U.S. comparable sales to grow 2‑3% in the third quarter and forecasts an extra $650 million in freight costs. UBS also projects a 16‑basis‑point year‑on‑year decline in gross margin and anticipates earnings estimates could be raised by $0.03‑$0.05, potentially prompting an EPS guidance increase to $2.80‑$2.87.

UBS’s higher target and earnings outlook could lift investor expectations for Walmart’s profitability and may lead to a modest share‑price rally. The guidance shift also signals potential upside for analysts’ earnings models.

  • 1UBS raised its price target for Walmart to $149 from $130.
  • 2UBS kept its Buy rating on Walmart.
  • 3UBS expects U.S. comparable sales growth of 2% to 3% in the quarter.
  • 4UBS estimates additional freight expenses of $650 million for the quarter.
  • 5UBS forecasts a 16‑basis‑point year‑on‑year change in gross margin as a proportion of net sales.
  • 6UBS expects analysts to raise earnings estimates by $0.03 to $0.05, possibly increasing EPS guidance to $2.80‑$2.87.

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