AXQ Capital LP raised its position in Walmart Inc. (NASDAQ:WMT – Free Report) by 214.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 28,488 shares of the retailer’s stock after acquiring an additional 19,438 shares during the period. AXQ Capital LP’s holdings in Walmart were worth $3,227,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.
Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in WMT. Merkkuri Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Walmart during the 1st quarter worth approximately $29,000. Entrust Financial LLC acquired a new stake in Walmart in the fourth quarter valued at $27,000. Sankala Group LLC acquired a new stake in Walmart in the fourth quarter valued at $33,000. Turim 21 Investimentos Ltda. acquired a new stake in shares of Walmart in the first quarter valued at about $37,000. Finally, Pingora Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Walmart in the second quarter valued at about $34,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 26.76% of the company’s stock.
Walmart Stock Up 2.2%
Shares of NASDAQ WMT opened at $108.42 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $860.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 39.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.05 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a current ratio of 0.77. Walmart Inc. has a 1 year low of $98.88 and a 1 year high of $135.15. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $110.98 and its 200 day moving average price is $119.70.
Walmart (NASDAQ:WMT – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 20th. The retailer reported $0.81 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.74 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $187.94 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $186.64 billion. Walmart had a return on equity of 21.83% and a net margin of 3.00%.The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.68 EPS. Walmart has set its Q3 2027 guidance at 0.620-0.640 EPS and its FY 2027 guidance at 2.800-2.870 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Walmart Inc. will post 2.87 earnings per share for the current year.
Insider Activity at Walmart
In related news, EVP Daniel Danker sold 50,644 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $105.35, for a total value of $5,335,345.40. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 201,672 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $21,246,145.20. This trade represents a 20.07% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Also, EVP David Guggina sold 11,978 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $119.82, for a total transaction of $1,435,203.96. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 125,067 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $14,985,527.94. This represents a 8.74% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 81,242 shares of company stock valued at $8,836,446. Insiders own 0.09% of the company’s stock.
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades
A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $120.00 price target on shares of Walmart in a research report on Friday, August 21st. Gordon Haskett downgraded Walmart from a “buy” rating to an “accumulate” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 20th. Roth Capital reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Walmart in a research report on Friday, August 21st. KeyCorp reissued an “overweight” rating on shares of Walmart in a research note on Wednesday, August 12th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a “buy” rating and set a $130.00 price objective on shares of Walmart in a research note on Friday, August 21st. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirty-two have assigned a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $131.88.
Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Walmart
Trending Headlines about Walmart
Here are the key news stories impacting Walmart this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Walmart is expanding restaurant delivery through a Dunkin’ partnership. The agreement adds Dunkin’ locations to Walmart’s three-month-old restaurant-delivery service, following its partnership with Subway. The move broadens Walmart’s convenience ecosystem and could increase delivery frequency, customer engagement and fee-based revenue while positioning the company against DoorDash and Uber Eats. Walmart Teams With Dunkin’ to Expand Restaurant Delivery
- Positive Sentiment: Walmart and Amazon are commercializing fraud-prevention tools. Turning security and scam-prevention capabilities into retail products could create new business opportunities and strengthen customer trust, though the financial impact for WMT is not yet clear. Amazon and Walmart Turn Fraud Prevention Into a Retail Product
- Positive Sentiment: Recent product launches continue to widen Walmart’s role in everyday spending. New offerings across fashion, groceries, health and home support the company’s strategy of increasing sales across multiple categories. Analysts remain constructive, including Tigress Financial’s reiterated Buy rating, although Walmart’s elevated earnings multiple limits room for disappointment. Is Walmart Undervalued Following Its Latest Product Launches?
- Neutral Sentiment: Haleon negotiated improved shelf placement at Walmart and Target. The arrangement could improve product visibility and shopper traffic in Walmart stores, but it primarily benefits Haleon and does not materially change Walmart’s earnings outlook. Haleon Secures Better Shelf Space at Walmart and Target
- Neutral Sentiment: Executive Daniel Bartlett sold 3,950 shares worth about $415,000. The sale reduced his holdings by only 0.63% and was conducted under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, making it a limited signal about management’s view of WMT. SEC Insider Trading Filing
- Negative Sentiment: The U.S. Department of Justice expanded its investigation into rising beef prices to Walmart and other large retailers. The inquiry creates potential legal, reputational and compliance risks, although the reports do not establish wrongdoing by Walmart. DOJ Expands Beef Price Investigation
Walmart Company Profile
Walmart is a multinational retail corporation that operates a broad portfolio of store formats and digital services. Its core business includes large-format supercenters, discount department stores, neighborhood grocery stores and a membership warehouse chain, Sam’s Club. The company’s merchandising mix covers groceries, household goods, apparel, electronics and pharmacy services, supplemented by private-label products and category-specific offerings. Walmart pairs its physical store network with online platforms and mobile applications to provide omnichannel shopping, fulfillment and delivery options for consumers and businesses.
The company was founded by Sam Walton, who opened the first store in Rogers, Arkansas in 1962; it is headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas.
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