Walmart Warns Fuel Costs Are Squeezing the Bottom Line

Walmart shares fell premarket after Q1 earnings showed solid sales growth but missed profit forecasts due to rising fuel costs. Analyst David Bellinger remains bullish on Walmart, arguing the company is using its high-margin businesses to invest in price and gain market share aggressively, with AI and agentic commerce as long-term tailwinds. - Walmart's comparable US sales rose 4.1% but profit forecast missed estimates. - Fuel costs shaved 250 basis points from operating income growth, with more impact expected. - Mizuho analyst David Bellinger maintains an outperform rating and $137 price target on Walmart. - Walmart is investing in price to gain market share, funded by its high-margin advertising marketplace. - The company uses AI to amplify employee productivity without headcount cuts. - Agentic commerce is early stage but could favor Walmart's low-price, fast-delivery model. - Walmart is gaining share from smaller retailers and mom-and-pop stores. - Gas prices at $4.50-$5 are adding pressure on low-end consumers and retailer costs.