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S&P 500, NYSE End Lower, Walmart Stock Drags on Lower Growth Projections

Skerdian Meta•Thursday, February 20, 2025•2 min read
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The main US stock indices such as the S&P500 and NYSE closed lower today, with Walmart being a drag as it lost 7% early in the day.

Walmart stock fell $7 today

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Despite a negative close across major indices, the markets managed to recover from their session lows, suggesting some resilience amid selling pressure. The broader market showed signs of stabilization, possibly driven by late-session bargain hunting or technical support levels holding firm. However, ongoing concerns—such as economic uncertainty, interest rate expectations, or sector-specific challenges—continue to weigh on sentiment. Investors remain cautious, keeping a close watch on upcoming economic data and earnings reports for further market direction.

Closing Prices for Main US Stock Indices

  • Dow Jones Industrial Average:
    • Closed at 44,176.65, down 450.94 points (-1.01%).
    • Earlier in the session, it had fallen 677.43 points at its lowest.
  • S&P 500 Index:
    • Ended at 6,117.52, losing 26.63 points (-0.43%).
    • Session low saw a 59.56-point decline.
  • NASDAQ Composite:
    • Closed at 19,962.36, down 93.89 points (-0.47%).
    • Earlier hit a low of 61.23 points down.
  • Russell 2000:
    • Finished at 2,261.74, losing 20.71 points (-0.91%).
    • Session low saw a 32.34-point drop.

Walmart continues to post solid revenue growth, especially in e-commerce, and has successfully attracted higher-income shoppers. However, investors were disappointed by the company’s forecast of slowing profit growth, leading to a sharp stock decline. Despite the setback, Walmart remains a dominant player in the retail sector, with long-term growth prospects fueled by its expanding digital and omnichannel strategies. Moving forward, market participants will closely monitor how the company manages profit margins, cost pressures, and competitive challenges in a shifting consumer landscape.

Walmart Stock Drops 7% Despite Strong Sales Growth

  • Earnings and Revenue:

    • Reported EPS of $0.66, beating analyst expectations of $0.64.
    • Revenue reached $180.55 billion, surpassing the forecast of $179.85 billion.

  • E-Commerce and Sales Growth:

    • U.S. e-commerce sales surged 20%.
    • Holiday-quarter revenue rose approximately 4%, driven by:
      • Increased demand from higher-income customers.
      • Growth in in-store pickup and home delivery services.

  • Market Reaction and Outlook:

    • Despite strong sales, Wall Street was disappointed by Walmart’s guidance.
    • The company expects:
      • Net sales growth of 3% to 4% in the upcoming fiscal year.
      • Adjusted operating income to increase by 3.5% to 5.5% on a constant currency basis.

  • EPS Revisions:

    • Over the past 90 days, Walmart has experienced:
      • 9 positive EPS revisions.
      • 18 negative EPS revisions.

Walmart’s stock dropped 7% during today’s U.S. session, ending the day at $97.22 after closing at $104.00 yesterday. Despite the dip, the stock has increased by 15% in the last three months and 80% in the last year, so until the 2025 profit slows significantly more than expected—which was the cause of the Walmart stock price decline—this is not a significant setback.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR See More
Skerdian Meta
Lead Analyst
Skerdian Meta Lead Analyst. Skerdian is a professional Forex trader and a market analyst. He has been actively engaged in market analysis for the past 11 years. Before becoming our head analyst, Skerdian served as a trader and market analyst in Saxo Bank's local branch, Aksioner. Skerdian specialized in experimenting with developing models and hands-on trading. Skerdian has a masters degree in finance and investment.
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