NEW YORK, Feb 13, 2026, 11:27 EST — Regular session
Walmart stock edged up Friday after KeyBanc bumped its price target ahead of the retailer’s quarterly report next week. Shares traded around $134 late morning, up roughly 0.3% after hitting $134.09 earlier.
Investors eyeing U.S. consumer demand—particularly for staples—have their sights set on Feb. 19, when Walmart delivers its next report. With its massive presence in groceries and household goods, the retailer’s numbers often shape the narrative for the entire big-box sector.
Shares are up roughly 20% in 2026, lifting the company’s market cap past $1 trillion as traders moved money into consumer-staples stocks amid volatility in tech-heavy sectors. “We’re starting to get an embedded leadership shift that’s undeniable at this point,” said Mark Hackett, chief market strategist at Nationwide. Reuters
Walmart plans to post its fourth-quarter results at 6 a.m. U.S. Central time on Feb. 19, followed by a conference call at 7 a.m. with CEO John Furner and CFO John David Rainey leading the discussion. The company, which runs over 10,750 stores across 19 countries, says it reaches roughly 270 million customers and members each week.
KeyBanc’s Bradley Thomas bumped his price target for Walmart up to $145 from $128, sticking with his Overweight rating—a call that usually points to expected outperformance against rivals. Thomas pointed to a backdrop that’s hardly straightforward: softer rates and steady job growth should help, but shoppers are still dealing with shaky confidence and cost-of-living pressures. He also noted that incoming tax refunds could give spending a short-term lift.
Walmart shares jumped over 3% Thursday, pushing the stock to a new intraday high, Forbes reported.
Costco picked up roughly 2.2% on Friday, while Target tacked on about 2.7%. The big-box names stayed in focus as investors continued sizing up which retailers have the edge.
U.S. comparable sales, gross margin, and clues about promotional tactics are likely to get close scrutiny from investors. Even small swings in costs—whether that’s freight, wages, or shrink—can ripple through Walmart’s earnings in a hurry given the company’s size.
The risk? Straightforward enough: strong numbers, but management treads carefully with its guidance—especially if consumers keep shifting toward cheaper basics or ease up on non-essentials. Shares have already climbed a lot this year, so it wouldn’t take much—a slight miss on the forecast, say—to sting.
All eyes on Feb. 19. Walmart drops its earnings materials at about 6 a.m. U.S. Central, then kicks off its conference call an hour later, at 7 a.m. U.S. Central.
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