SPY+0.9%|QQQ+1.7%|BTC-1.7%|VIX16.70|DXY99.32|10Y4.56
HD·BEAT·EPS $3.43 vs $3.41·AH+0.9%ADI·BEAT·EPS $3.09 vs $2.91·AH-3.9%LOW·BEAT·EPS $3.03 vs $2.97·AH+1.2%NVDA·BEAT·EPS $1.87 vs $1.77·AH+1.3%TGT·BEAT·EPS $1.71 vs $1.46·AH-3.9%TJX·BEAT·EPS $1.19 vs $1.00·AH+5.7%WSM·BEAT·EPS $1.93 vs $1.80·AH+4.9%DE·BEAT·EPS $6.55 vs $5.74·AH-5.2%ROST·BEAT·EPS $2.02 vs $1.72·AH-0.3%TTWO·BEAT·EPS $-0.32 vs $-0.52·AH+0.6%WDAY·BEAT·EPS $2.66 vs $2.52·AH-3.8%WMT·IN LINE·EPS $0.66 vs $0.66·AH-7.3%

Earnings Calls

Vol. 009·Retrospective

Week of May 18, 2026

MAY 22, 2026·12 entries

Weekly Overview

The dominant theme of the week was a stark disconnect between bottom-line beats and stock performance, as most reporters exceeded EPS estimates yet several sold off sharply on revenue shortfalls or cautious forward commentary.

NVIDIA, Analog Devices, and Deere all beat on EPS but missed on revenue, and all three declined meaningfully, while Walmart posted an inline EPS with a massive revenue beat yet suffered the week's largest drawdown at -8.1%.

The macro backdrop featured continued uncertainty around consumer spending durability and industrial demand trajectories, with tariff and input cost concerns weighing on guidance across sectors.

Off-price retailers TJX and Ross Stores were clear outperformers, suggesting the market rewarded companies demonstrating both margin expansion and top-line momentum in a value-conscious consumer environment.

HD

The Home Depot, Inc.
$313.07
EPS Beat$3.43 vs $3.41 est
Market reaction
+0.9%After hours
+3.6%Next day
+4.4%On the week
At a glance
  • EPS of $3.43 narrowly beat the $3.41 estimate
  • Stock gained +4.4% for the week, strongest among home retailers
  • Current price of $313 sits ~16% below analyst target of $372.85
Price — 1 monthPeak $340Now $313
Apr 23Apr 30May 8May 15May 22
Historical context

Home Depot has a long track record of meeting or exceeding EPS consensus, with the company beating estimates in most quarters over the past several years. Typical post-earnings moves for HD have ranged from -2% to +4%, making this week's +3.6% next-day gain consistent with the upper end of its historical reaction range. The $3.43 EPS print versus the $3.41 estimate represents a narrow beat, which is characteristic of Home Depot's tendency to deliver modest but consistent upside surprises.

Forward guidance

Analysts will focus on Home Depot's full-year comparable sales outlook and whether management signaled any inflection in the home improvement demand cycle, particularly in big-ticket discretionary projects. Management's commentary on the impact of housing turnover rates, mortgage rate sensitivity, and professional contractor activity typically drives forward estimate revisions. Gross margin trajectory and the pace of SRS Distribution integration remain key inputs for the full-year EPS framework.

Key takeaway

Home Depot's modest EPS beat translated into a sustained rally through the week, with the stock gaining +4.4% over five days. The reaction suggests the market found reassurance in the earnings stability rather than being disappointed by the slim magnitude of the beat. In a week where several large-cap reporters sold off despite beating EPS, HD's steady positive drift stood out as an exception.

ADI

Analog Devices, Inc.
$397.07
EPS Beat$3.09 vs $2.91 est
Rev Miss$3.6B vs $3.8B
Market reaction
-3.9%After hours
-7.3%Next day
-4.2%On the week
At a glance
  • EPS beat by 6.2% but revenue missed by $200M
  • Stock fell -7.3% next day, partially recovering to -4.2% weekly
  • Fourth consecutive EPS beat could not offset the top-line shortfall
Price — 1 monthPeak $432Now $397
Apr 23Apr 30May 8May 15May 22
Historical context

Analog Devices has now beaten EPS estimates for four consecutive quarters, continuing a pattern of strong profitability management even through analog semiconductor inventory corrections. However, ADI has historically been sensitive to revenue misses, with prior top-line shortfalls triggering next-day declines in the -3% to -8% range. The -7.3% next-day reaction this week falls within that historical pattern and reflects the market's persistent focus on ADI's revenue growth trajectory.

Forward guidance

The forward focus for Analog Devices centers on the pace of inventory normalization across its industrial and automotive end markets, which together constitute the majority of revenue. Analysts will scrutinize management's next-quarter revenue guide relative to the $3.6B actual and $3.8B estimate this quarter, as sequential growth trends signal the shape of the analog recovery. Commentary on design win momentum, pricing power, and order book visibility in communications infrastructure and data center power management will inform full-year estimate revisions.

Key takeaway

Despite beating EPS by $0.18 (a 6.2% surprise), the $200M revenue miss dominated the market's reaction, sending shares down 7.3% the next day. The subsequent partial recovery to -4.2% for the week suggests some investors viewed the sell-off as disproportionate to the magnitude of the miss. The divergence between strong profitability and weaker-than-expected top line reinforced the market's current emphasis on revenue growth as the primary valuation driver for analog semiconductors.

LOW

Lowe's Companies, Inc.
$215.03
EPS Beat$3.03 vs $2.97 est
Market reaction
+1.2%After hours
-0.4%Next day
-1.5%On the week
At a glance
  • EPS of $3.03 beat estimate of $2.97 by 2.0%
  • Initial +1.2% AH gain reversed to -1.5% for the week
  • Underperformed HD by nearly 600 basis points on the week
Price — 1 monthPeak $247Now $215
Apr 23Apr 30May 8May 15May 22
Historical context

Lowe's has beaten EPS estimates for four consecutive quarters, maintaining a recent pattern of steady profitability execution. The company's post-earnings moves have typically been muted, often in the -2% to +2% range, and this week's -0.4% next-day reaction and -1.5% weekly decline fall within that normal band. Lowe's EPS beat of $0.06 (2.0%) is consistent with the modest upside surprises the company has delivered in recent periods.

Forward guidance

Analysts are focused on Lowe's full-year comparable sales guidance and whether management sees signs of a demand recovery in the DIY segment, which has lagged the professional business. Forward estimates hinge on management's outlook for ticket size trends, seasonal category performance, and the impact of any housing market improvement on renovation spending. Operating margin expansion through the Perpetual Productivity Improvement (PPI) initiative and capital allocation plans, including buyback activity, remain central to the forward EPS trajectory.

Key takeaway

Lowe's posted a clean EPS beat that initially lifted shares +1.2% after hours, but the stock faded through the week to finish down -1.5%. The reversal suggests that the modest earnings upside was insufficient to sustain momentum amid broader uncertainty about home improvement demand durability. Compared to Home Depot's +4.4% weekly gain, Lowe's relative underperformance indicates the market drew distinctions between the two home improvement retailers this week despite similar beat magnitudes.

NVDA

NVIDIA Corporation
$215.33
EPS Beat$1.87 vs $1.77 est
Rev Miss$81.6B vs $89.3B
Market reaction
+1.3%After hours
-0.5%Next day
-2.4%On the week
At a glance
  • EPS beat by 5.6% but revenue missed by $7.7B (8.6% shortfall)
  • Unusually muted reaction by NVIDIA standards: -0.5% next day
  • Stock trades ~23% below consensus analyst target of $278
Price — 1 monthPeak $236Now $215
Apr 23Apr 30May 8May 15May 22
Historical context

NVIDIA has beaten EPS estimates for four consecutive quarters, and historically its post-earnings moves have been among the most volatile in large-cap tech, with recent next-day swings ranging from -6% to +16%. This quarter's -0.5% next-day move is unusually muted by NVIDIA's standards, though the -2.4% weekly decline indicates selling pressure built over subsequent sessions. The $7.7B revenue miss ($81.6B actual vs. $89.3B estimate) is notable in absolute terms, though NVIDIA has previously seen investors look through top-line shortfalls when AI demand narratives remain intact.

Forward guidance

The forward outlook for NVIDIA hinges on next-quarter data center revenue guidance, customer capex commentary from hyperscalers, and the production ramp timeline for next-generation GPU architectures. Analysts will focus on management's segmentation of demand between training and inference workloads, supply chain capacity constraints, and any commentary on China export restrictions and their revenue impact. Gross margin trajectory as product mix shifts toward newer platforms and any updates on custom chip competition from major cloud customers will be critical for full-year estimate calibration.

Key takeaway

NVIDIA's $0.10 EPS beat (5.6% surprise) was overshadowed by a $7.7B revenue miss, yet the initial market reaction was notably restrained at +1.3% after hours. The stock's gradual drift to -2.4% for the week suggests investors were digesting the implications of the top-line shortfall rather than reacting with the sharp volatility historically associated with NVIDIA earnings. With the current price of $215.33 sitting approximately 23% below the analyst consensus target of $278.03, the muted reaction may reflect the market weighing the miss against still-elevated forward expectations.

TGT

Target Corporation
$125.60
EPS Beat$1.71 vs $1.46 est
Market reaction
-3.9%After hours
-0.9%Next day
-1.3%On the week
At a glance
  • EPS beat by 17.1% — $1.71 actual vs. $1.46 estimate
  • Stock sold off -3.9% AH despite the significant earnings upside
  • Analyst target of $129.50 implies only ~3% upside from current price
Price — 1 monthPeak $129Now $126
Apr 23Apr 30May 8May 15May 22
Historical context

Target has beaten EPS estimates for three consecutive quarters, a recovery from a period of more erratic results in prior years. The company's post-earnings reactions have been volatile, with next-day moves frequently exceeding ±5%, making this week's -0.9% next-day decline relatively contained. The $0.25 EPS beat (17.1% surprise) is among the larger positive surprises in Target's recent history, yet the stock sold off, echoing a pattern seen in prior quarters where forward concerns overshadowed backward-looking beats.

Forward guidance

The market's primary focus for Target centers on comparable sales trends, gross margin trajectory, and whether discretionary categories are showing signs of stabilization. Management's updated full-year EPS and revenue guidance, along with commentary on inventory management, shrink levels, and digital fulfillment costs, typically drives post-earnings estimate revisions. Traffic versus ticket trends and Target's ability to compete for value-oriented consumers against Walmart and off-price retailers remain critical forward variables.

Key takeaway

Target's 17.1% EPS beat — its largest surprise in recent quarters — was met with a -3.9% after-hours decline and a -1.3% weekly loss, indicating the market discounted the backward-looking strength. The sell-off despite a significant earnings upside suggests investors focused on forward guidance or competitive positioning concerns rather than the reported quarter. The stock's consensus rating of "hold" with a $129.50 price target just 3% above the current price reflects limited analyst conviction in near-term upside.

TJX

The TJX Companies, Inc.
$158.27
EPS Beat$1.19 vs $1.00 est
Market reaction
+5.7%After hours
+4.5%Next day
+5.0%On the week
At a glance
  • EPS of $1.19 beat estimate by 19.0% — largest surprise in recent quarters
  • Stock gained +5.0% for the week, among top weekly performers
  • Off-price retail outperformed all other sectors reporting this week
Price — 1 monthPeak $159Now $158
Apr 23Apr 30May 8May 15May 22
Historical context

TJX has beaten EPS estimates for four consecutive quarters, extending a trend of consistent execution that has characterized the company's recent reporting history. The 19.0% EPS surprise ($1.19 vs. $1.00) is among the largest in recent quarters, and the +4.5% next-day gain is in line with TJX's historical tendency to rally 3-6% on strong beats. Off-price retailers have generally seen positive post-earnings reactions over the past year as consumer trade-down trends have persisted.

Forward guidance

Forward estimates for TJX are driven by comparable store sales guidance, merchandise margin expectations, and new store opening plans. Analysts will focus on management's commentary about the buying environment for off-price inventory, vendor relationships, and whether the favorable procurement landscape is sustainable. International segment performance, particularly Tk Maxx in Europe, and HomeGoods' margin recovery trajectory are additional areas that inform forward models.

Key takeaway

TJX's 19% EPS beat was the second-largest positive surprise of the week by percentage, and the market rewarded it with a +5.0% weekly gain. The strong reaction reflects the market's current preference for companies demonstrating both margin expansion and consumer traffic growth in a value-conscious spending environment. TJX and Ross Stores were the week's top performers, suggesting a clear sector-level tailwind for off-price retail.

WSM

Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
$192.50
EPS Beat$1.93 vs $1.80 est
Rev Beat$2.4B vs $1.8B
Market reaction
+4.9%After hours
+11.7%Next day
+12.1%On the week
At a glance
  • Revenue beat by 33% — $2.4B actual vs. $1.8B estimate
  • Stock surged +11.7% next day, +12.1% for the week
  • Largest combined EPS and revenue surprise of the entire week
Price — 1 monthPeak $193Now $193
Apr 23Apr 30May 8May 15May 22
Historical context

Williams-Sonoma has beaten EPS estimates for four consecutive quarters and has a recent history of delivering upside surprises through strong margin management. The dual beat on both EPS and revenue this quarter is notable, with the $600M revenue beat ($2.4B vs. $1.8B estimate, a 33% surprise) being exceptionally large relative to the company's typical reporting pattern. The +11.7% next-day reaction is at the higher end of Williams-Sonoma's post-earnings move distribution, though the stock has seen double-digit moves in both directions in prior periods.

Forward guidance

Analysts will focus on Williams-Sonoma's full-year revenue and operating margin guidance, particularly whether the significant revenue outperformance this quarter is sustainable or driven by one-time factors. Brand-level performance across Pottery Barn, West Elm, and the namesake Williams-Sonoma banner will be scrutinized for signs of broad-based demand versus category-specific strength. E-commerce penetration rates, supply chain efficiency, and management's capital return plans including buybacks and dividends inform the forward valuation framework.

Key takeaway

Williams-Sonoma was the week's standout performer, rallying +12.1% on the back of a 33% revenue beat and a 7.2% EPS beat — the largest top-and-bottom-line surprise combination of the week. The magnitude of the revenue beat was the primary catalyst, as it significantly exceeded the scale of the EPS upside alone. The stock's surge to $192.50 brought it within 5.5% of the $203.05 analyst consensus target, compressing the gap between price and target that had been wider entering the print.

DE

Deere & Company
$529.15
EPS Beat$6.55 vs $5.74 est
Rev Miss$9.3B vs $11.5B
Market reaction
-5.2%After hours
-5.6%Next day
-5.6%On the week
At a glance
  • Revenue missed by 19.1% — $9.3B actual vs. $11.5B estimate
  • EPS beat by 14.1% could not offset the massive top-line shortfall
  • Stock dropped -5.6%, fourth consecutive quarter of beat-and-decline pattern
Price — 1 monthPeak $592Now $529
Apr 23Apr 30May 8May 15May 22
Historical context

Deere has beaten EPS estimates for four consecutive quarters, demonstrating resilient profitability even as the agricultural equipment cycle has been in a downturn. However, the company has seen increasingly negative stock reactions in recent quarters when revenue misses accompanied EPS beats, with next-day declines of -3% to -6% becoming a recurring pattern. This week's -5.6% next-day decline and $2.2B revenue miss ($9.3B vs. $11.5B, a 19.1% shortfall) represent the most pronounced version of this divergence in recent periods.

Forward guidance

The forward focus for Deere centers on management's full-year equipment sales guidance by segment (Production & Precision Agriculture, Small Agriculture & Turf, Construction & Forestry) and updated views on the North American and international replacement cycle timing. Commodity price trajectories for corn, soybeans, and wheat, along with farmer sentiment and used equipment inventory levels, are critical demand indicators analysts track. Cost reduction initiatives, precision agriculture adoption rates, and the impact of any tariff or trade policy changes on international sales volumes will drive estimate revisions.

Key takeaway

Deere's 14.1% EPS beat ($6.55 vs. $5.74) was entirely overshadowed by a 19.1% revenue miss, producing the week's second-largest negative reaction at -5.6%. The pattern of strong earnings execution alongside weak top-line demand has persisted for multiple quarters, and the market's continued negative response suggests investors are prioritizing revenue trajectory over margin management as the key signal for cycle timing. With the stock at $529.15 versus a $665.10 consensus target, the 20%+ gap reflects significant disagreement between current pricing and analyst expectations for a cyclical recovery.

ROST

Ross Stores, Inc.
$234.81
EPS Beat$2.02 vs $1.72 est
Rev Beat$6.6B vs $6.0B
Market reaction
-0.3%After hours
+7.8%Next day
+7.8%On the week
At a glance
  • EPS beat by 17.4% and revenue beat by 10% — dual surprise
  • Flat after hours but surged +7.8% next day on full analysis
  • Confirmed the off-price retail strength theme alongside TJX
Price — 1 monthPeak $235Now $235
Apr 23Apr 30May 8May 15May 22
Historical context

Ross Stores has beaten EPS estimates for four consecutive quarters and has a strong multi-year track record of consistent execution in the off-price channel. The 17.4% EPS surprise ($2.02 vs. $1.72) paired with a 10% revenue beat ($6.6B vs. $6.0B) is among the strongest combined results in the company's recent history. Post-earnings reactions for Ross have historically ranged from -3% to +8%, making this week's +7.8% next-day gain among the largest positive moves in recent periods.

Forward guidance

Analysts will focus on Ross Stores' comparable store sales guidance, merchandise margin expectations, and new store opening plans for the remainder of the fiscal year. Management's commentary on the competitive landscape for off-price buying opportunities, distribution center capacity, and geographic expansion strategy will inform forward models. Wage and occupancy cost trends, along with the company's ability to maintain its value proposition gap versus full-price retailers, remain key inputs for operating margin estimates.

Key takeaway

Ross Stores delivered a dual top-and-bottom-line beat that produced the second-largest weekly gain (+7.8%) behind Williams-Sonoma. The initial after-hours reaction was essentially flat (-0.3%), but the stock gapped up significantly the next day, suggesting the overnight analysis of the combined revenue and earnings beat shifted sentiment. The strong performance mirrored TJX's results, confirming a clear cross-sector theme of off-price retail outperformance during the week.

TTWO

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.
$227.55
EPS Beat$-0.32 vs $-0.52 est
Market reaction
+0.6%After hours
-3.8%Next day
-3.8%On the week
At a glance
  • Loss of -$0.32 was narrower than -$0.52 estimate
  • Stock fell -3.8% despite the beat — forward catalysts dominate sentiment
  • Analyst target of $277 implies ~22% upside, reflecting pipeline expectations
Price — 1 monthPeak $242Now $228
Apr 23Apr 30May 8May 15May 22
Historical context

Take-Two Interactive reported a loss of -$0.32 versus the -$0.52 estimate, representing a narrower-than-expected loss during a period of elevated investment spending ahead of major title launches. Take-Two's post-earnings reactions have been volatile historically, with the stock often moving ±5% or more, making this week's -3.8% next-day decline a moderate negative move by the company's standards. The company's earnings cadence has been heavily influenced by title release timing, making quarter-to-quarter comparisons less linear than most reporters.

Forward guidance

The forward outlook for Take-Two is dominated by the anticipated launch window and marketing timeline for Grand Theft Auto VI, which represents the most significant catalyst in the company's pipeline. Analysts will focus on management's updated net bookings guidance, recurrent consumer spending (microtransactions) trends across existing titles, and operating expense trajectory as development costs peak. Any commentary on release dates, pre-order metrics, or platform distribution strategy for upcoming titles will be the primary driver of forward estimates and valuation.

Key takeaway

Take-Two's narrower-than-expected loss initially produced a muted +0.6% after-hours reaction, but the stock declined -3.8% the next day and held that level through the week. The reversal suggests the market was focused on forward catalysts and pipeline timing rather than the modest beat on a negative EPS figure. With the stock at $227.55 versus a $277.06 analyst target (a ~22% gap), valuation continues to embed significant expectations for upcoming title launches.

WDAY

Workday, Inc.
$128.14
EPS Beat$2.66 vs $2.52 est
Rev Beat$2.5B vs $2.5B
Market reaction
-3.8%After hours
+1.2%Next day
+1.2%On the week
At a glance
  • Beat on both EPS and revenue — fourth consecutive dual beat
  • Reversed -3.8% AH decline to finish +1.2% the next day
  • Analyst target of $178 implies ~39% upside — widest gap this week
Price — 1 monthPeak $131Now $128
Apr 23Apr 30May 8May 15May 22
Historical context

Workday has beaten EPS estimates for four consecutive quarters, continuing a pattern of steady profitability improvements as the company has scaled its cloud subscription base. The $0.14 EPS beat (5.6% surprise) accompanied by a modest revenue beat is consistent with Workday's recent trend of small but consistent upside on both lines. Post-earnings reactions for Workday have been volatile, with the stock moving ±5-10% in recent quarters, making this week's initial -3.8% after-hours decline followed by a +1.2% next-day recovery a notable intraday reversal.

Forward guidance

Analysts focus on Workday's subscription revenue growth rate, remaining performance obligations (RPO), and net revenue retention as the key forward indicators for the business. Management's commentary on enterprise spending trends, competitive win rates against legacy ERP vendors, and the pace of AI feature monetization within the platform are central to forward estimate revisions. Operating margin expansion targets and the balance between growth investment and profitability improvement will determine whether the company can sustain its premium multiple.

Key takeaway

Workday's dual beat on EPS and revenue initially triggered a -3.8% after-hours sell-off, which fully reversed to a +1.2% gain by the next day's close. The sharp reversal suggests the after-hours reaction may have reflected positioning or headline sensitivity, while the regular-session recovery indicated that the fundamental results were viewed as adequate. The current price of $128.14 versus the $178.16 analyst target (a ~39% gap) represents one of the largest consensus-to-price disconnects among this week's reporters.

WMT

Walmart Inc.
$120.27
EPS In Line$0.66 vs $0.66 est
Rev Beat$190.7B vs $174.8B
Market reaction
-7.3%After hours
-8.1%Next day
-8.1%On the week
At a glance
  • Revenue beat by $15.9B (9.1%) but EPS was merely inline at $0.66
  • Stock plunged -8.1% — worst reaction of any reporter this week
  • Revenue-profit disconnect signaled potential margin compression concerns
Price — 1 monthPeak $134Now $120
Apr 23Apr 30May 8May 15May 22
Historical context

Walmart's inline EPS of $0.66 breaks a two-quarter streak of beats, while the $15.9B revenue beat ($190.7B vs. $174.8B, a 9.1% surprise) is among the largest top-line outperformances in the company's recent history. Historically, Walmart's post-earnings moves have been modest (typically ±2-4%), making the -8.1% next-day decline a significant outlier and among the worst post-earnings reactions the stock has experienced in recent years. The disconnect between a massive revenue beat and a sharp sell-off is one of the most notable single-stock dynamics of the week.

Forward guidance

Analysts will focus intensely on Walmart's full-year EPS guidance, gross margin outlook, and whether the revenue outperformance came at the expense of profitability through heavier promotional activity or unfavorable mix shift. Management's commentary on consumer trade-down behavior, Walmart+ membership growth, advertising revenue, and e-commerce margins will determine whether the top-line strength translates to sustainable earnings power. Any references to tariff-related cost pressures, inventory positioning, and pricing strategy relative to competitors will be critical for forward margin estimates.

Key takeaway

Walmart's -8.1% weekly decline despite a $15.9B revenue beat was the week's most striking disconnect between results and stock reaction. The inline EPS alongside the massive revenue upside likely signaled to the market that incremental sales came with compressed margins, raising questions about the quality and sustainability of the growth. The severity of the sell-off — the largest of any reporter this week — indicates the market is heavily focused on Walmart's profitability trajectory rather than top-line scale.