Walmart’s Tepid Outlook Stirs Concern For Retail Earnings Ahead

An uncertain outlook from Walmart Inc. is putting investors on high alert ahead of earnings from other retailers, casting a pall over the economically sensitive sector.

The world’s largest retailer forecast lower-than-expected profit for the full year earlier this week, sending its shares tumbling. Walmart typically offers a lukewarm forecast at the start of its fiscal year and executives said American consumers remained resilient. Still, the mixed outlook raised the specter of further disappointment when other chains such as Home Depot Inc., TJX Cos. and Target Corp. disclose results in coming weeks.