Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. Buys 20,942 Shares of Walmart Inc. $WMT

Key Points

• Envestnet Portfolio Solutions increased its Walmart stake by 17.8% in the second quarter, adding 20,942 shares and bringing its holdings to 138,450 shares valued at approximately $15.7 million. Institutional investors collectively own 26.76% of Walmart.
• Walmart exceeded quarterly expectations, reporting $0.81 in earnings per share versus the $0.74 consensus and $187.94 billion in revenue, up 5.9% year over year. However, the company’s roughly $877 billion market capitalization and 39.9 price-to-earnings ratio reflect a high valuation.
• Analyst sentiment remains broadly positive, with a “Moderate Buy” consensus and an average price target of $131.88, though some firms recently lowered targets. Potential growth from omnichannel retail, advertising and new stores is balanced by margin pressure, regulatory scrutiny and execution risks in healthcare.

Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. grew its stake in shares of Walmart Inc. (NASDAQ:WMT - Free Report) by 17.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 138,450 shares of the retailer's stock after acquiring an additional 20,942 shares during the quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc.'s holdings in Walmart were worth $15,681,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Bank of America Corp DE bought a new position in shares of Walmart during the 2nd quarter valued at $7,455,131,000. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Walmart during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $6,458,529,000. Legal & General Group Plc purchased a new stake in Walmart during the second quarter valued at approximately $2,905,655,000. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board bought a new position in Walmart in the second quarter worth approximately $796,677,000. Finally, Deutsche Bank AG boosted its stake in shares of Walmart by 54.0% during the 2nd quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 18,607,297 shares of the retailer's stock worth $2,107,462,000 after acquiring an additional 6,525,224 shares during the last quarter. 26.76% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Walmart Stock Performance

Shares of WMT stock opened at $110.53 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $876.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.90, a PEG ratio of 4.20 and a beta of 0.59. The company's 50 day moving average is $109.51 and its 200 day moving average is $117.81. The company has a quick ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41. Walmart Inc. has a 52-week low of $98.88 and a 52-week high of $135.15.

Walmart (NASDAQ:WMT - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, August 20th. The retailer reported $0.81 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.74 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $187.94 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $186.64 billion. Walmart had a net margin of 3.00% and a return on equity of 21.83%. Walmart's revenue was up 5.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.68 earnings per share. Walmart has set its Q3 2027 guidance at 0.620-0.640 EPS and its FY 2027 guidance at 2.800-2.870 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Walmart Inc. will post 2.87 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Trending Headlines about Walmart

Here are the key news stories impacting Walmart this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Walmart opened a new Neighborhood Market in Mesquite, Texas, expanding its grocery, pharmacy and everyday-essentials footprint. The smaller-format store supports Walmart’s local convenience strategy and could contribute to steady sales growth, although the financial impact should be modest initially. Walmart Opens New Neighborhood Market in Mesquite, Texas
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts see Walmart as a beneficiary of omnichannel shopping, private-label products, loyalty programs, automation and retail media. These initiatives could support customer retention and productivity while helping offset cost pressures. 3 Supermarket Stocks Set to Benefit From Omnichannel & Loyalty Growth
• Positive Sentiment: Walmart’s retail advertising opportunity remains a potential growth catalyst. Its expansion of predictive targeting at Sam’s Club, combined with broader industry interest in retailer-owned media networks, could generate higher-margin advertising revenue. Walmart Launches Predictive Precision Targeting at Sam’s Club
• Neutral Sentiment: Walmart is also attempting to rebuild its healthcare business after a costly retreat, offering a potential long-term growth avenue but adding execution risk and near-term uncertainty. Two years after a costly retreat, Walmart tries health again
• Negative Sentiment: A report highlighting Walmart’s lowest operating margin in nine years raises concern that expenses, pricing investments or mix pressures could limit profit growth. This is especially relevant given the stock’s high valuation.
• Negative Sentiment: Senators are urging the FTC to scrutinize Walmart’s Sparky AI shopping assistant. Regulatory attention could slow the rollout or increase compliance costs, though it may also validate the strategic importance of Walmart’s technology investments.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have weighed in on WMT shares. Erste Group Bank downgraded shares of Walmart from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, June 5th. Telsey Advisory Group restated an "outperform" rating and set a $130.00 price objective (down from $140.00) on shares of Walmart in a research report on Friday, August 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on Walmart from $137.00 to $125.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, August 21st. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded Walmart to a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, August 21st. Finally, BTIG Research reaffirmed a "buy" rating and issued a $140.00 target price on shares of Walmart in a report on Thursday, September 10th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirty-two have given a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $131.88.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Daniel Danker sold 50,644 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $105.35, for a total transaction of $5,335,345.40. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 201,672 shares in the company, 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 filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 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 Daniel J. Bartlett sold 3,950 shares of Walmart stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $105.14, for a total value of $415,303.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 622,349 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $65,433,773.86. This represents a 0.63% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 81,004 shares of company stock worth $8,601,724. Corporate insiders own 0.09% of the company's stock.

Walmart Company Profile

Walmart Inc is a multinational retail and technology company that operates supercenters, discount stores, neighborhood markets, e-commerce platforms and membership warehouse clubs. Its merchandise includes groceries, apparel, electronics, home goods, health and beauty products, general merchandise and other consumer products.

Founded by Sam Walton in 1962 and incorporated in 1969, Walmart is headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas. The company serves customers through operations in the United States and international markets, including Mexico, Canada, China, India and several countries in Central America and Africa.

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