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Walmart delivers another strong quarter but also a cautious outlook due to economic uncertainty

May 21, 2026, 4:08 AM

Drones operated by Zipline leave base to make deliveries from a Walmart store in Pea Ridge, Ark., F...

Drones operated by Zipline leave base to make deliveries from a Walmart store in Pea Ridge, Ark., Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Credit: AP Photo/Charlie Riedel

(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart delivered another quarter of impressive sales as speedy deliveries and low prices served as a magnet for shoppers across the income spectrum.

Yet like other major retailers posting financial results this week, it was cautious about the rest of the year given the current economic uncertainty. On Thursday, it issued a forecast for the current quarter that was weaker than what Wall Street had been expecting.

Walmart has resonated with many Americans who are increasingly careful about where they spend their money as inflation has taken a bigger bite out of paychecks, particularly since the start of the Iran war in late February. Traffic at Walmart can be a barometer of consumer spending given its vast customer base. More than 150 million customers are on its website or in its stores every week, according to Walmart.

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Walmart delivers another strong quarter but also a cautious outlook due to economic uncertainty