PREVIEW: Walmart seen reporting higher rev, EPS in results due Thursday

Shares of Walmart WMT.O down 2.1% in afternoon trading Wed, with the largest U.S. retailer seen reporting higher rev and EPS in its qtrly results due before the bell on Thurs

Its shares are bucking the broader trend in the stock mkt Wed, with the S&P 500 .SPX last up 0.3%

Analysts expect Q4 rev for WMT of $190.43 bln vs $180.55 bln in the yr-ago period, and adj EPS of 73c, vs 66c a yr ago, per LSEG

Investors could be looking for WMT to take a cautious approach to its annual forecasts given a fragile consumer environment

Argus Research this week raised its target price on the stock to $145 from $117

The 12-mo median PT on WMT is $130, according to LSEG; the stock was last at $126.09

Earlier this month, Walmart became the first retailer ever to hit $1 trln in market valuation, boosted by bets tech and automation will improve efficiency and online sales

WMT shares up ~13% YTD vs a roughly 3% gain in the Dow in that period