Walmart lowered its profit expectations for the latest quarter, citing cuts to food stamps and an especially tough winter.

The giant retailer said on Friday that profit would most likely come in at the low end of its guidance range of $1.60 to $1.70 a share — or even slightly below. The weakness in the quarter, which ended on Friday, is also likely to be a drag on the year.

The company is set to report fourth-quarter and full-year earnings on Feb. 20.

Despite a decent holiday season, Charles M. Holley Jr., the company’s chief financial officer, noted that the impact from reductions to the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or food stamps, was “greater than we expected.” Billions of dollars were cut from the program last year, which left Walmart customers who receive food stamps with less money to spend over all.

Mr. Holley also pointed to the severe weather, including “eight named winter storms” during the quarter that forced some stores to close. The weather affected Sam’s Club as well, Mr. Holley said.