Walmart Inc. WMT, +9.55% shares jumped 10% in Thursday premarket trading after the retail giant reported second-quarter same-store sales growth that reached a 10-year high. Losses totaled $861.0 million, or 29 cents per share, after net income of $2.9 billion, or 96 cents per share, in the same period last year. Adjusted EPS was $1.29. Revenue totaled $128.0 billion, up from $123.4 billion last year. The FactSet consensus is for EPS of $1.22 and sales of $126.0 billion. Walmart U.S. same-store sales rose 4.5%, which the company said was "the strongest growth in more than ten years," with clothing, grocery and seasonal items leading the drive. Traffic and ticket growth was more than 2%. The FactSet consensus was for same-store sales growth of 4%. Walmart now expects fiscal 2019 sales to increase 2%, compared with previous guidance for 1.5% to 2% growth. Walmart U.S. same-store sales are expected to grow 3%, compared with previous guidance for 2% growth and FactSet expectations for a 2.8% rise. EPS is expected to be $2.90 to $3.05 versus previous expectations of $4.75 to $5.00. And adjusted EPS is expected to be $4.90 to $5.05, up from $4.75 to $5.00. The FactSet consensus is for $4.78. Walmart shares are down 8.6% for the year to date while the Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA, +1.24% has gained 1.8% for the period.
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