Walmart (WMT) projects sales growth drop to 4-5% amidst high gas prices

Walmart (WMT) has warned that its sales growth will slow to between 4% and 5% from previous levels due to rising gas prices impacting consumer spending. The average price of gas has reached $4.56 per gallon, up from $3 since the onset of the Iran war. Walmart's first-quarter profit was $5.3 billion, an 18.8% increase year-over-year, with sales rising 7.3% to $177.8 billion. However, investor concerns led to a 7% decline in the company's shares in response to the outlook provided by finance boss John David Rainey.