NEW YORK — Walmart Inc. (NASDAQ: WMT) shares fell sharply in early trading Thursday, May 21, 2026, dropping $8.11 or 6.20% to $122.78 after the retailer reported first-quarter results that beat revenue estimates but featured a cautious full-year outlook amid consumer spending pressures.

The world’s largest retailer released fiscal first-quarter 2027 earnings before the market open. Revenue reached $177.8 billion, up 7.3% from the prior year and above consensus estimates of approximately $174.8 billion. U.S. comparable sales excluding fuel rose 4.1%.

Adjusted earnings per share came in above expectations, though exact figures were not immediately detailed in initial releases. Global e-commerce sales grew strongly, with Walmart+ membership and advertising revenue also contributing positively.

Walmart reaffirmed its full-year fiscal 2027 guidance for net sales growth of 3.5% to 4.5% in constant currency and adjusted earnings per share of $2.75 to $2.85. Analysts had expected higher figures around $2.92 per share for the year.

The company cited elevated fuel prices and a fluid tariff environment as factors creating uncertainty in consumer behavior and item pricing. CEO John Furner highlighted investments in AI personalization, supply chain upgrades and approximately 650 store remodels as priorities for improving the customer experience.

The stock opened lower and extended losses in early trading as investors focused on the conservative outlook despite the revenue beat. This marked one of Walmart’s larger single-day percentage declines in recent periods.

Walmart operates more than 10,500 stores worldwide and employs approximately 2.1 million associates. Its U.S. business, the largest segment, continues to benefit from strength in grocery, health & wellness and e-commerce.

The retailer has expanded its membership program Walmart+ and advertising business, which grew significantly in the quarter. International operations also posted solid growth.

Walmart’s next earnings report for the second quarter is scheduled for August. The company typically provides detailed commentary on its earnings conference call, hosted by President and CEO John Furner and CFO John David Rainey.

Market capitalization stood near $500 billion prior to the session’s decline. The stock had been trading near all-time highs in recent weeks before the earnings reaction.

Analysts had expected adjusted EPS of approximately $0.65 to $0.66 for the first quarter. Walmart has a history of consistent earnings beats but faced scrutiny over forward guidance in a high-cost environment.

Broader retail sector peers including Target also faced pressure in recent sessions amid concerns over consumer spending, inflation and potential tariffs. Walmart has positioned itself as a value destination, benefiting from trade-down behavior among shoppers.

The company continues capital investments in automation, store remodels and technology. It raised approximately $4 billion in long-term debt earlier in the year at favorable rates to support growth initiatives.

Walmart’s dividend yield remains attractive to income investors. The company has increased its dividend for more than 50 consecutive years. Share repurchases also form part of its capital return strategy.

No changes were announced to the full-year capital expenditure guidance of 3% to 3.5% of sales. Inventory levels remained healthy entering the period.

Trading volume surged in early sessions on May 21 as the earnings reaction drew significant attention. Options activity also increased around the event.

Walmart serves millions of customers daily across its supercenters, discount stores, Sam’s Club warehouses and digital platforms. The retailer has emphasized everyday low prices and supply chain efficiency.

Investors will monitor commentary from the earnings call for updates on tariff impacts, consumer trends and competitive positioning. The stock’s reaction reflects sensitivity to guidance in the current economic environment.

The session’s decline came amid mixed broader market performance. Energy stocks rose on oil prices while some technology names faced pressure from yields.

Walmart has not provided specific second-quarter EPS guidance due to uncertainty around tariffs and pricing dynamics. It expects net sales growth of 3.5% to 4.5% for the quarter in constant currency.

The company’s long-term strategy includes expanding private brands, enhancing omnichannel capabilities and investing in emerging areas such as advertising and membership.

HAMMOND, Ind. — A statewide Amber Alert issued for 6-month-old Devaeyah Lucas-Bell on May 21, 2026, was canceled after the infant was recovered safe, according to Indiana authorities.

The alert was activated early Thursday morning after the child was reported missing from Hammond around 4:20 a.m. She was last seen wearing a white shirt and brown pants.

Devaeyah Lucas-Bell is described as a Black female, 22 inches tall, weighing 16 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. She was believed to be in extreme danger at the time of the alert.

The suspect was identified as 31-year-old Deandry Sabbs, a Black male, 6 feet 2 inches tall, weighing 208 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen driving a gray four-door Nissan sedan with unknown Illinois plates.

Hammond Police Department requested the Amber Alert. Anyone with information was asked to contact the department at 219-852-6357 or call 911.

The alert generated widespread attention across Indiana and neighboring states, including Illinois. Multiple news outlets and law enforcement agencies shared descriptions and vehicle information via social media and emergency systems.

Authorities later confirmed the child was located safe. Details regarding the circumstances of the recovery and Sabbs’ status were not immediately released by police.

The swift resolution highlighted the effectiveness of the Amber Alert system in mobilizing public assistance for missing children cases. Indiana State Police and local agencies coordinated the response.

Devaeyah Lucas-Bell was last seen in Hammond, a city in Lake County near the Illinois border. The case drew significant regional media coverage due to the child’s age and the initial assessment of extreme danger.

Amber Alerts are issued when law enforcement confirms a child has been abducted and faces serious harm or death. Criteria include the child’s age, confirmation of abduction, and sufficient descriptive information for public assistance.

This incident marks one of several Amber Alerts activated in Indiana in 2026. Previous cases have involved both successful recoveries and ongoing searches.

Hammond Police continue their investigation. No charges had been announced as of late Thursday afternoon. Updates are expected as more information becomes available.

The public played a key role in sharing the alert across social media platforms. Local television stations and news websites provided continuous coverage throughout the morning.

Families in the Hammond area were advised to remain vigilant. The quick cancellation brought relief to the community and surrounding regions.

Indiana’s Amber Alert system is managed through a partnership between law enforcement, the Indiana State Police, and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. It utilizes emergency notification systems, highway signs, and media broadcasts.

Officials remind the public that Amber Alerts are reserved for the most serious cases involving abducted children. False alarms are rare but can occur when initial information changes rapidly.

The Hammond Police Department has not released additional details on the relationship between the child, family members, or the suspect. Investigations into missing children cases often involve multiple agencies when crossing jurisdictional lines.

This case underscores the importance of community awareness in child safety matters. Law enforcement encourages residents to report suspicious activity promptly.

As of May 21 afternoon, no further Amber Alerts remained active in Indiana related to this incident. Authorities thanked the public for their assistance in the rapid resolution.

The full timeline of events from the initial report to recovery has not been publicly detailed. Police are expected to provide more information in coming days or weeks as the investigation proceeds.

Wall Street’s three main indices have closed slightly higher after a choppy session as oil prices lost ground, with some officials ‌citing progress in US-Iran peace talks even as both sides took opposing stances over an Iranian uranium stockpile and control of the Strait of Hormuz.

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Amber Alert system, a nationwide emergency notification program for abducted children, takes its name from Amber Rene Hagerman, a 9-year-old girl who was kidnapped and murdered in Arlington, Texas, in January 1996.

Amber Hagerman was riding her bicycle in a parking lot near her grandparents’ home on Jan. 13, 1996, when an unknown man abducted her. Her body was found four days later in a creek a few miles away. The crime remains unsolved.

In response to the tragedy, local residents and broadcasters in the Dallas-Fort Worth area pushed for a better emergency alert system. Radio stations and law enforcement collaborated to create an early warning mechanism that could quickly inform the public about child abductions.

The system was officially named in memory of Amber Hagerman. Although “AMBER” is presented as the acronym for “America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response,” this is a backronym created after the system was already named for the girl.

The first Amber Alert was issued in the Dallas-Fort Worth area in 1996. It quickly spread to other Texas regions and then nationwide. By the early 2000s, the program had expanded across the United States and into Canada and Mexico.

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) played a key role in standardizing criteria and promoting the system. Amber Alerts are now activated only in cases meeting specific guidelines: confirmed abduction, risk of serious harm or death to the child, and sufficient descriptive information for public assistance.

As of 2026, the Amber Alert system has helped recover more than 1,000 children safely since its inception. It utilizes emergency broadcast systems, highway signs, cell phone alerts, social media and news outlets to distribute information rapidly.

Amber’s mother, Donna Williams, has spoken publicly about her daughter’s legacy. She has expressed gratitude that the alert system continues to save lives in her daughter’s name.

The program has evolved with technology. In 2015, Facebook partnered with NCMEC to deliver Amber Alerts directly to users’ news feeds and notifications based on location. Wireless Emergency Alerts now reach cell phones in targeted areas without requiring apps.

Alternative names were used in some states early on, such as “Levi’s Call” in Georgia or “Rachael Alert” in Utah, but the Amber Alert name became the national standard.

The system is administered through partnerships between law enforcement, broadcasters, wireless providers and NCMEC. Activation criteria are strict to avoid overuse and maintain public trust.

Amber Hagerman was born Nov. 25, 1986. She was described by family as an outgoing child who loved riding her bicycle. Her abduction occurred in broad daylight, highlighting vulnerabilities even in familiar neighborhoods.

The case galvanized the community. A local radio station manager and others advocated for immediate public alerts, leading to the creation of what became the Amber Alert.

President George W. Bush signed the PROTECT Act in 2003, which included national support for Amber Alert systems. The law enhanced coordination and funding for the program.

Today, every U.S. state has an Amber Alert plan. The system has expanded internationally, with similar programs in other countries using different names but following comparable principles.

Amber’s legacy is honored annually on National Amber Alert Awareness Day, observed around the anniversary of her abduction. Law enforcement and child safety advocates use the occasion to educate the public on prevention and response.

The Amber Alert has become one of the most recognized emergency notification systems in the United States. It demonstrates how one child’s tragedy led to a nationwide tool that continues to protect others.

Authorities stress that Amber Alerts are reserved for the most serious abduction cases. The rapid public response they generate has proven effective in many recoveries.

The unsolved murder of Amber Hagerman remains under investigation by Arlington police. Her family continues to advocate for child safety and support for the alert system named in her honor.

The Acronym: What it Stands For As the program expanded nationwide and globally, the name was turned into a “backronym” (an acronym created from an existing word) to officially describe the system’s function: A – America’s M – Missing: B – Broadcast E – Emergency R – Response

Stellantis on Thursday announced a $70 billion turnaround strategy that aims to refocus the automaker on core brands, partnerships and more efficient use of factory capacity.

The investment is over five years and includes the production of 60 new models by 2030, including a mix of internal combustion engine, hybrid and fully electric vehicles.

The pivot marks a shift under the leadership of new CEO Antonio Filosa to more external partnerships for Stellantis – the parent company of brands such as Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram.

“The plan is grounded in reality,” Filosa told investors at the company’s capital markets day. “It is designed to create a condition for profitable and sustainable growth.”

STELLANTIS TAKES MASSIVE $26B HIT AFTER MOVING AWAY FROM EVS

Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa unveiled a turnaround plan for the auto industry giant. (Elisa Marchina/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

New partnerships for Stellantis include production tie-ups with Chinese firms Leapmotor and Dongfeng, as well as cooperation with Tata Motors and its U.S. unit JLR. 

Those partnerships will allow Stellantis to utilize some of its excess manufacturing capacity to generate revenue through contract production by third-parties instead of unused plants sitting idle and accumulating costs.

The strategic shift also includes technology partnerships with Qualcomm, Applied Intuition and self-driving startup Wayve. The approach will allow the company to share costs with partners while accelerating development in areas like software and autonomous driving.

STELLANTIS UNVEILS MASSIVE $13B US INVESTMENT PLAN

Filosa also outlined a new hierarchical structure for Stellantis’ 14 brands that will affect how product investment is directed.

Stellantis will focus about 70% of brand and product investment on Jeep, Ram, Peugeot and Fiat, as well as its Pro One division that makes commercial vehicles.

Brands like Chrysler and Alfa Romeo will be repositioned to have more of a regional focus, while Lancia and DS will shift into specialized roles under Fiat and Citroen.

STELLANTIS OFFERS EMPLOYEE DISCOUNT TO US BUYERS AS AUTO TARIFFS TAKE EFFECT

Jeep is one of the key brands in Stellantis’ portfolio. (Plexi Images/GHI/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

The product focus at Stellantis will focus on a range of more affordable vehicles that can support volume growth in addition to profitability.

Stellantis said it’s planning to invest over $27 billion in its platforms, powertrains and technologies, while it’s aiming to cut nearly $7 billion in annual costs by 2028 compared with a year ago.

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

Shares in the automaker were up slightly with prices up 0.2% as of early afternoon Thursday, rebounding after the stock opened the day in the red. Stellantis shares are down nearly 34% year to date and over 28% in the last year.

Reuters contributed to this report.