Walmart Inc. (NASDAQ:WMT) has received a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the thirty-four research firms monitoring the retailer, as reported by Marketbeat Ratings. Of these analysts, two have assigned a hold rating while thirty-two recommend buying the stock. The average 12-month price target from brokers covering Walmart is $123.37.
Recent assessments from various brokerages have provided mixed insights into Walmart’s stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target from $128.00 to $129.00 and reaffirmed an “overweight” rating in a note dated November 21. Conversely, Deutsche Bank downgraded their rating from “buy” to “hold,” setting a target price of $119.00 in a research note published on January 8. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on January 21, and Raymond James maintained an “outperform” rating on January 14, while Truist Financial established a target price of $127.00 on December 17.
Walmart’s stock opened at $119.14 on Monday. With a market capitalization of $949.57 billion, the company has a P/E ratio of 41.66, and a PEG ratio of 5.08. Walmart’s 52-week range spans a low of $79.81 to a high of $121.62, with recent moving averages indicating a bullish trend: a 50-day moving average of $114.48 and a 200-day average of $106.10.
In its latest quarterly earnings report released on November 20, Walmart surpassed earnings expectations with an EPS of $0.62, exceeding the consensus estimate of $0.60. The retailer’s revenue of $179.50 billion for the quarter also topped projections of $175.15 billion, marking a 5.8% increase from the previous year. Walmart’s guidance for fiscal year 2026 projects earnings per share between 2.580 and 2.630.
On the insider trading front, significant movements have been noted. On November 25, Senior Vice President David Chojnowski sold 7,000 shares at an average price of $106.65, totaling approximately $746,550. On November 20, Executive Vice President John R. Furner sold 13,125 shares for roughly $1.37 million. These sales have resulted in minor decreases in their respective ownership stakes.
In the realm of institutional investments, several large investors have adjusted their holdings in Walmart recently. The Vanguard Group increased its stake by 1.0%, owning around 439.96 million shares, while State Street Corp and Geode Capital Management also raised their positions slightly. Altogether, hedge funds and institutional investors now hold approximately 26.76% of Walmart’s stock.
Walmart continues to operate as a significant player in the retail sector, with its diverse portfolio including supercenters, discount department stores, and a membership warehouse, Sam’s Club. Founded in 1962 by Sam Walton, Walmart is headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas, and aims to integrate its extensive physical network with digital services to enhance customer experience.
As the company navigates market dynamics, it remains a focal point for analysts and investors alike, with a keen interest in how it adapts to evolving consumer needs and competitive landscapes.