** Shares of retail bellwether Walmart WMT.O down about 2% at $129.29 premarket

** Co maintains its annual targets and forecasts Q2 sales, profit below estimates amid strained economic backdrop in U.S.

** Sees Q2 net sales to increase 4% to 5%, compared with estimates of 5.09% rise - data compiled by LSEG

** Expects Q2 adjusted EPS to be between 72 cents and 74 cents, compared with estimates of 75 cents

** However, co logs Q1 total U.S. comparable sales excluding fuel growth 4.1%, beating estimates of a 3.8% rise

** Q1 adjusted EPS rises 8.2% to 66 cents

** As of last close, stock up 17% YTD