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Walmart (WMT)
NASDAQ:WMT

Walmart (WMT) AI Stock Analysis

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WMT

Walmart

(NASDAQ:WMT)

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Outperform 73 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:73Outperform
Price Target:
$139.00
▲(13.02% Upside)
The score is driven primarily by strong, cash-generative financial performance and a constructive uptrend, reinforced by upbeat FY27 guidance centered on ecommerce, advertising, and productivity-led margin expansion. The main constraint is valuation: the high P/E and low yield reduce upside per unit of risk if growth or margins disappoint.
Positive Factors
Cash Generation
Consistently strong operating cash flow (~$42B in 2026) provides durable funding for capex, automation, share repurchases and discretionary investments. Reliable cash generation reduces dependence on external financing and supports long-term strategic initiatives and capital returns.
E‑commerce & Digital Scale
Rapid, sustainable e‑commerce growth and scale (>$150B, ~25% annual growth) shift Walmart’s revenue mix toward higher-growth, shareable channels. Durable improvements in fulfillment automation and fast delivery create structural advantages in convenience and customer retention over the next several years.
High‑margin Revenue Diversification
Expanding advertising and membership income diversifies revenue toward higher‑margin, recurring sources. These channels improve overall profit mix, monetise customer data, and create sticky revenue streams that can sustain margin expansion even if core retail gross margins remain thin.
Negative Factors
Thin Retail Margins
Retail margins remain structurally tight, limiting the company’s buffer against cost shocks. Even with margin improvement, low absolute margins constrain earnings leverage, making profits sensitive to input cost inflation, tariff shifts, or pricing pressure over the medium term.
Regulatory Headwind (Pharmacy)
Legislative pressure on pharmacy pricing is a lasting structural risk that can shave sales and margins in a high‑volume category. A sustained ~100bps headwind reduces overall profitability and narrows scope for reinvestment, especially given pharmacy’s scale in the business mix.
Debt & Cost Volatility
While leverage is moderate, a large absolute debt burden (~$67B) combined with volatile tariff and claims costs hampers financial flexibility. Persistent cost shocks or rising rates could constrain capital allocation, slow buybacks/capex, and increase refinancing risk over the medium term.

Walmart (WMT) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Walmart Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionWalmart Inc. engages in the operation of retail, wholesale, other units, and eCommerce worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sam's Club. It operates supercenters, supermarkets, hypermarkets, warehouse clubs, cash and carry stores, and discount stores under Walmart and Walmart Neighborhood Market brands; membership-only warehouse clubs; ecommerce websites, such as walmart.com.mx, walmart.ca, flipkart.com, PhonePe and other sites; and mobile commerce applications. The company offers grocery and consumables, including dairy, meat, bakery, deli, produce, dry, chilled or frozen packaged foods, alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, floral, snack foods, candy, other grocery items, health and beauty aids, paper goods, laundry and home care, baby care, pet supplies, and other consumable items; fuel, tobacco and other categories. It is also involved in the provision of health and wellness products covering pharmacy, optical and hearing services, and over-the-counter drugs and other medical products; and home and apparel including home improvement, outdoor living, gardening, furniture, apparel, jewelry, tools and power equipment, housewares, toys, seasonal items, mattresses and tire and battery centers. In addition, the company offers consumer electronics and accessories, software, video games, office supplies, appliances, and third-party gift cards. Further, it operates digital payment platforms; and offers financial services and related products, including money transfers, bill payments, money orders, check cashing, prepaid access, co-branded credit cards, installment lending, and earned wage access. Additionally, the company markets lines of merchandise under private brands, including Allswell, Athletic Works, Equate, and Free Assembly. The company was formerly known as Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and changed its name to Walmart Inc. in February 2018. Walmart Inc. was founded in 1945 and is based in Bentonville, Arkansas.
How the Company Makes MoneyWalmart generates revenue primarily through the sale of merchandise in its retail locations and online platforms. Its core revenue streams include grocery sales, general merchandise, and membership fees from Sam's Club. The company benefits from its vast scale and efficient supply chain, allowing it to offer competitive pricing and attract a large customer base. Additionally, Walmart has increasingly integrated e-commerce into its business model, investing in online sales and fulfillment capabilities, which have become significant contributors to its revenue growth. Partnerships with suppliers and technology firms also enhance its operational efficiency and customer engagement, further driving sales.

Walmart Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
US Net Sales by Category
US Net Sales by Category
Breaks down sales within the U.S. across various product categories, offering insight into consumer preferences and the company’s competitive positioning in key retail sectors.
Chart InsightsWalmart's grocery segment continues to show strong growth, reflecting its strategic focus on maintaining low prices and enhancing delivery speed. Health and Wellness is experiencing robust expansion, aligning with the company's emphasis on this category. However, General Merchandise faces headwinds, consistent with earnings call insights about merchandise mix challenges. The earnings call also highlights significant e-commerce growth, which complements the upward trend in sales, particularly in the U.S. market. Despite these gains, moderation in spending among low-income consumers poses a potential risk to sustained growth.
Data provided by:The Fly

Walmart Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Feb 19, 2026
(Q4-2026)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:May 14, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call communicates strong multi-dimensional momentum: robust e-commerce growth, faster profit expansion than sales, meaningful gains from advertising and membership, improved inventory efficiency via automation, and strong cash generation enabling a $30B buyback. Headwinds include tariff and claims-related costs, pharmacy pricing legislation (~100 bps), uneven consumer strength among lower-income cohorts, and ongoing investments in marketplace profitability. Management provided conservative but confident guidance reflecting macro uncertainty. Overall, positive operational and financial progress outweigh the identified challenges.
Q4-2026 Updates
Positive Updates
Quarterly Revenue and Profit Growth
Consolidated revenue up 4.9% in constant currency for the quarter; adjusted operating income grew 10.5% in constant currency, with all three segments growing profits faster than sales.
Full-Year Revenue Milestone
Full year sales grew approximately 5% in constant currency, adding $35 billion and exceeding $700 billion in revenue for the first time; adjusted operating income grew 5.4% for the year despite headwinds.
E-commerce Momentum
Global e-commerce grew ~24% for the quarter and nearly 25% for the year; e-commerce exceeded $150 billion for the first time (Q4 represented ~23% of sales mix, +550 bps vs two years ago). Walmart US e-commerce grew 27% in Q4.
Fast Delivery and Fulfillment Gains
Customers using fast delivery (<3 hours) grew more than 60% year-over-year; in the US 35% of store-fulfilled orders are delivered in under three hours; Flipkart delivering in <15 minutes in 30+ cities; Sam's Club doubled growth in club-fulfilled delivery.
AI & Personalization Traction (Sparky)
Agentic assistant 'Sparky' shows early adoption: ~50% of app users have used Sparky and engagement drives ~35% higher average order value for Sparky users versus non-users, improving discovery, conversion and AOV.
Advertising and Membership Growth
Advertising grew 37% in the quarter (Walmart Connect US +41%); full-year advertising up 46% to $6.4 billion. Consolidated membership income increased >15% in Q4; full-year membership fees exceeded $4.3 billion; Walmart Plus income up double digits; Sam's Club membership income +6%+.
Inventory Efficiency and Automation
Inventory increased 2.6% (about half the rate of sales growth), enabling better working capital and fewer markdowns; ~60% of stores receive some freight from automated distribution and ~50% of e-commerce FC volume is automated, improving productivity.
Strong Cash Generation and Capital Return
Operating cash flow of $42 billion and free cash flow growth of 18% in FY2026; board authorized a $30 billion share repurchase program (largest to date); FY27 capex expected ~3.5% of sales with focus on automation and remodels.
Negative Updates
Claims, Tariffs and One-Time Costs
Full-year adjusted operating income was achieved despite a ~300 basis point headwind from increased claims expenses and ongoing tariff-related costs; tariffs continue to create timing and cost uncertainty.
Pharmacy Pricing Legislation Headwind
Maximum fair pricing (MFP) legislation for drugs expected to be a ~100 basis point headwind to sales for the full year (approximately 30 bps in the most recent quarter).
Consumer Pressure in Lower Income Cohorts
Share gains skewed to households >$100k; households earning <$50k remain wallet-constrained with some living paycheck-to-paycheck, indicating uneven strength across income cohorts.
Marketplace Profitability Still Under Development
Marketplace remains an area of ongoing investment with no explicit timeline for standalone profitability; company is prioritizing growth and seller penetration over near-term marketplace margin realization.
Guidance Conservatism Due to Macro Uncertainty
Management set a cautious FY27 guide (sales growth 3.5-4.5% constant currency; operating income growth ~6-8%; EPS $2.75-$2.85) citing risks like hiring softness, consumer sentiment, student loan delinquencies and tariff timing; Q1 OI growth expected to be the weakest quarter.
Potential Moderation in Advertising Growth
While advertising is growing rapidly (46% full-year), management acknowledged a law-of-large-numbers that could moderate growth rates over time despite a still-large runway vs addressable market.
Company Guidance
Walmart guided full‑year FY27 constant‑currency sales growth of 3.5%–4.5% with operating income growth of 6%–8% and EPS of $2.75–$2.85, saying ecommerce will be the primary growth driver and that margins should expand from favorable business mix, automation/productivity and lower merchandise headwinds; management reiterated they aim to outperform but are starting conservatively. For Q1 they expect constant‑currency sales of 3.5%–4.5%, operating income growth of 4%–6% and EPS of $0.63–$0.65, and noted if current FX rates persist Q1 would get ~150 bps benefit to reported sales and ~200 bps to OI (full year FX benefit ~70 bps to sales and ~120 bps to OI). Capital allocation/cash flow metrics include FY26 operating cash flow of $42B, free cash flow growth of 18% in FY26, planned FY27 capex of ~3.5% of sales as automation and remodel spending peaks, and a newly authorized $30B share‑repurchase program.

Walmart Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Fundamentals are solid: steady multi-year revenue growth with improved profitability in 2026, strong ROE (about ~22%), and robust operating cash flow (~$42B). Offsets include structurally thin retail margins and some year-to-year free cash flow volatility, plus sizable absolute debt (~$67B).
Income Statement
78
Positive
Revenue shows steady expansion (from $559B in 2021 to $713B in 2026), with growth slowing materially in 2026 (about +1%). Profitability improved versus 2023–2024, with net margin rising to ~3.1% in 2026 from ~1.9% in 2023, and operating profitability also strengthening. The key weakness is structurally thin retail margins and some volatility in operating margin over the period, which limits downside protection if costs rise or pricing intensifies.
Balance Sheet
74
Positive
Leverage is moderate and fairly stable, with debt-to-equity around ~0.66–0.77 and improving to ~0.67 in 2026. Equity has grown over time (about $81B in 2021 to ~$100B in 2026), supporting balance-sheet resilience. Returns on shareholder capital are consistently strong (roughly mid-teens to low-20s, reaching ~22% in 2026), but the company still carries sizable absolute debt (~$67B in 2026), which can reduce flexibility if rates or earnings turn unfavorable.
Cash Flow
81
Very Positive
Operating cash generation is solid and improving (about $24B in 2022 to ~$42B in 2026). Free cash flow is volatile—down in 2022 and 2025—but rebounds sharply in 2026, with free cash flow matching net income (about 1.0x), indicating strong cash conversion in the latest period. A watch item is that cash flow strength is not perfectly consistent year-to-year, which can complicate capital return and reinvestment planning.
BreakdownJan 2026Jan 2025Jan 2024Jan 2023Jan 2022
Income Statement
Total Revenue713.16B680.99B648.13B611.29B572.75B
Gross Profit177.77B169.23B157.98B147.57B143.75B
EBITDA44.03B42.01B36.38B30.09B31.35B
Net Income21.89B19.44B15.51B11.68B13.67B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets284.67B260.82B252.40B243.20B244.86B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments10.73B9.04B9.87B8.63B14.76B
Total Debt67.09B60.11B61.32B58.92B57.32B
Total Liabilities185.05B163.13B161.83B159.21B152.97B
Stockholders Equity99.62B91.01B83.86B76.69B83.25B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow41.56B12.66B15.12B11.98B11.07B
Operating Cash Flow41.56B36.44B35.73B28.84B24.18B
Investing Cash Flow-26.35B-21.38B-21.29B-17.72B-6.01B
Financing Cash Flow-13.55B-14.82B-13.41B-17.04B-22.83B

Walmart Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price122.99
Price Trends
50DMA
119.03
Positive
100DMA
111.98
Positive
200DMA
105.08
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
2.65
Positive
RSI
48.51
Neutral
STOCH
9.44
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For WMT, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 122.99 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 124.93, above the 50-day MA of 119.03, and above the 200-day MA of 105.08, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 2.65 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 48.51 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 9.44 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for WMT.

Walmart Risk Analysis

Walmart disclosed 11 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Walmart reported the most risks in the "Ability to Sell" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Walmart Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (62)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
74
Outperform
$442.13B53.3630.32%0.59%8.34%9.58%
73
Outperform
$1.01T46.3822.97%0.85%4.34%17.27%
73
Outperform
$33.46B26.2516.45%1.88%4.86%-4.51%
72
Outperform
$52.37B14.0325.09%4.79%-2.16%-12.66%
62
Neutral
$20.33B14.63-3.31%3.23%1.93%-12.26%
61
Neutral
$26.36B20.07%-39.27%-182.36%
59
Neutral
$43.58B63.077.75%2.15%-1.77%-70.83%
* Consumer Defensive Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
WMT
Walmart
122.99
30.21
32.56%
COST
Costco
985.27
-44.68
-4.34%
DG
Dollar General
150.64
73.31
94.81%
DLTR
Dollar Tree
134.51
59.20
78.61%
KR
Kroger Company
66.36
2.78
4.37%
TGT
Target
116.69
-3.57
-2.97%

Walmart Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board Changes
Walmart unveils major leadership reshuffle across key divisions
Positive
Jan 16, 2026

Walmart announced a sweeping leadership reshuffle in its core U.S., international and Sam’s Club businesses, reflecting a continued emphasis on omnichannel growth, digital transformation and operational efficiency across its global retail portfolio. Effective February 1, 2026, David Guggina, previously Executive Vice President and Chief eCommerce Officer for Walmart U.S., will become Executive Vice President, President and CEO of Walmart U.S., succeeding John Furner, and will receive an increased compensation package tied heavily to performance-based equity. On January 15, 2026, the company said Kathryn McLay, President and CEO of Walmart International, will depart after remaining in her role through January 31, 2026 and serving in a transitional capacity until April 30, 2026; she leaves a legacy of strong growth, digital advances and leadership development across Walmart International and, previously, Sam’s Club U.S. As part of the same realignment, Christopher Nicholas, formerly head of Sam’s Club U.S. and a seasoned Walmart finance and operations executive, was appointed Executive Vice President, President and CEO of Walmart International effective February 1, 2026, with an enhanced, performance-linked pay structure that underscores the strategic importance of the international division. Also effective that date, longtime Walmart executive Latriece Watkins, most recently Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer for Walmart U.S., was named Executive Vice President, President and CEO of Sam’s Club U.S., with compensation terms similar in structure to those of her peers, signaling Walmart’s intent to sustain momentum in its membership-club business. All three executives are subject to existing non-compete agreements that restrict them from joining competitors and provide two years of salary continuation if they are terminated without cause, reinforcing leadership stability at a time of ongoing transformation for the retailer and its stakeholders.

The most recent analyst rating on (WMT) stock is a Buy with a $129.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Walmart stock, see the WMT Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board Changes
Walmart Adds Tech Executive Shishir Mehrotra to Board
Positive
Jan 8, 2026

On January 8, 2026, Walmart appointed Shishir Mehrotra, CEO of Superhuman and a veteran technology executive, to its Board of Directors, where he will serve on the Compensation and Management Development Committee and the Technology and eCommerce Committee. Mehrotra, who previously led Coda and served as YouTube’s Chief Product and Chief Technology Officer, joins the board as Walmart deepens its people-led, tech-powered strategy and positions itself for an “agentic AI” future, with his appointment seen as bolstering the retailer’s capabilities in scaling digital platforms and leveraging advanced technology to enhance service for millions of customers worldwide.

The most recent analyst rating on (WMT) stock is a Hold with a $119.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Walmart stock, see the WMT Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyRegulatory Filings and Compliance
Walmart Executive Adopts Rule 10b5-1 Stock Sale Plan
Neutral
Dec 29, 2025

On December 24, 2025, Walmart disclosed that Chris Nicholas, Executive Vice President and President and Chief Executive Officer of Sam’s Club U.S., adopted a Rule 10b5-1 stock trading plan that will automatically sell 2,900 shares of Walmart common stock on a specified date each month from April 2026 through March 2027, for a maximum of 34,800 shares, as part of his long-term asset diversification, tax and financial planning strategy. The plan, which leaves Nicholas with no discretion over trade timing and is consistent with Walmart’s insider trading policy and stock ownership guidelines, is structured so that he will continue to meet the company’s requirement to hold stock equal to at least five times his base salary, with all transactions to be reported through required securities filings, providing transparency and mitigating concerns over insider trading.

The most recent analyst rating on (WMT) stock is a Buy with a $130.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Walmart stock, see the WMT Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyDelistings and Listing ChangesFinancial Disclosures
Walmart Reports Strong Q3 Results, Raises FY2026 Outlook
Positive
Nov 20, 2025

On November 19, 2025, Walmart announced its decision to transfer the listing of its common stock and several notes from the New York Stock Exchange to Nasdaq, effective December 9, 2025. This strategic move is expected to streamline its stock trading operations. Additionally, Walmart reported strong third-quarter results on November 20, 2025, with a 5.8% increase in revenue and a 27% growth in global eCommerce. The company raised its outlook for fiscal year 2026, highlighting its robust market position and operational efficiency.

The most recent analyst rating on (WMT) stock is a Buy with a $118.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Walmart stock, see the WMT Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Feb 20, 2026