Walmart Stock Forecast: Trending Buy Call From Analysts

Walmart (WMT) stock has risen 2.2% over the past week, 7.9% in the last month, and an impressive 31.2% over the past year. Wall Street’s analysts are firmly bullish, with a StrongBuy consensus and forecasting a move toward an average 12‑month price target of $138.43 from the last close at $125.75.

Analyst Christopher Nardone of BofA has initiated coverage with a Buy rating and a price target of $150, implying notable upside from recent levels. He argues this is “not your grandma’s Walmart,” highlighting that the company is gaining share with higher‑income shoppers through faster delivery while still serving value‑focused consumers.

Nardone sees more room to run as steady sales growth combines with faster profit growth, driven by recent investments that could push earnings estimates higher and support a richer valuation multiple. He believes Walmart’s price‑to‑earnings ratio can move closer to that of Costco as profit growth accelerates toward similar levels.

A key reason to own the stock, according to Nardone, is Walmart’s $150 billion digital ecosystem, which now makes up about 21% of sales and has grown at a 23% two‑year pace. Technology and AI are improving supply chain and inventory efficiency, while faster delivery, a broader marketplace assortment, and a path to a more automated network are expected to deepen its competitive edge.

Another bullish point is that e‑commerce, including advertising and membership revenue, turned profitable last year, with incremental margins of 10‑15% seen as increasingly accretive over time. Nardone is also looking for a rebound in general merchandise, where improving trends in fashion and hardlines, inflation tailwinds, tax‑refund season, and a growing third‑party marketplace could turn a previous drag into a future earnings boost.

Never miss a stock rating. Find all the latest ratings on TipRanks’ Top Wall Street Analysts page.