CNBC’s Jim Cramer argues that Walmart Inc.’s (NASDAQ:WMT) 20% stock slide last week was a massive overreaction to past energy fears, calling the dip an “incredible buying opportunity.” With the threat of high gas prices fading and unexpected tariff refunds looming, the retail giant is primed for a major “reprieve.”
The Disconnect: Wall Street vs. Main Street
Walmart’s stock tumbled on May 21 and July 2, initially driven by a slightly softer short-term outlook during its last earnings call. However, Cramer argues that analysts are “jumping to the wrong darn conclusion” by assuming expensive fuel will permanently crush consumer spending at the retail giant.
“If you were worried that Walmart was about to suffer from an oil-induced slowdown in consumer spending, that whole story, it has gone out the window,” Cramer emphasized. With the national average for gas dropping from $4.56 to $3.79 in a matter of weeks, the dreaded “nightmare” economic environment simply hasn’t materialized.
An ‘Incredible Buying’ Opportunity
Cramer considers the current pullback a massive gift for investors who missed the stock’s previous run. He believes the negative sentiment has “gotten ahead of itself” and the stock is long due for a major “reprieve now that oil’s back down to reasonable levels.”
“I think you’re getting an incredible buying opportunity here because the stock’s been getting pummeled right as Walmart’s biggest worries have started to fade away,” he explained. As wealthy and struggling consumers alike seek value in a shifting economy, Walmart remains an “ideal destination for shoppers.”
Price Cuts and Tariff Windfalls
Beyond falling fuel costs, Walmart is aggressively leaning into its core mission of savings. The retailer recently confirmed it is lowering prices on thousands of items to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, a move that briefly boosted the stock. The retailer’s aggressive markdown strategy even earned high praise from President Donald Trump, who recently took to Truth Social to urge other companies to “follow the lead of these absolute Patriots.”
Furthermore, a recent Supreme Court decision overturning previous tariffs will result in significant refunds for the company. Because this “free money” wasn’t baked into Walmart’s earlier financial guidance, Cramer expects management to use it to fund even deeper price cuts, effectively squeezing out competitors.
“That’s why I think Walmart’s worth buying right here, right now into weakness,” Cramer concluded.
How Has WMT Performed In 2026?
Walmart shares were up only 0.12% year-to-date, down 6.17% over the last month, and higher by only 12.27% over the year. It closed 0.80% higher at $111.54 apiece on Tuesday, and it was up 0.49% in overnight trading.
Benzinga’s Edge Stock Rankings indicate that WMT maintains a weak price trend in the long, short, and medium terms, with a good quality score.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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