Walmart Inc. $WMT Stock Purchased by China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd.

Key Points

• China Universal Asset Management increased its Walmart stake by 4.5% in the third quarter, bringing its holdings to 198,226 shares valued at approximately $21.2 million. Other institutional investors also raised their positions, while institutions and hedge funds own 26.76% of Walmart.
• Analysts remain broadly positive, with Walmart carrying a consensus “Buy” rating and an average price target of $132.41. The company also exceeded quarterly expectations, reporting $0.81 in earnings per share and $187.94 billion in revenue, up 5.9% year over year.
• Walmart shares opened at $121.25, near their 52-week high, but insiders have sold 102,244 shares worth about $11.1 million over the past three months. Investors are also weighing the company’s premium valuation, regulatory scrutiny and intensifying digital-delivery competition.

China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its stake in shares of Walmart Inc. (NASDAQ:WMT - Free Report) by 4.5% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 198,226 shares of the retailer's stock after acquiring an additional 8,520 shares during the quarter. Walmart comprises about 1.1% of China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd.'s portfolio, making the stock its 21st biggest holding. China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd.'s holdings in Walmart were worth $21,171,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of WMT. TOWER TRUST & INVESTMENT Co increased its stake in Walmart by 2,743.3% in the third quarter. TOWER TRUST & INVESTMENT Co now owns 9,724 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $1,010,000 after acquiring an additional 9,382 shares during the last quarter. MORGUARD LINCLUDEN GLOBAL INVESTMENTS Ltd increased its stake in shares of Walmart by 15.7% in the 3rd quarter. MORGUARD LINCLUDEN GLOBAL INVESTMENTS Ltd now owns 49,944 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $5,190,000 after purchasing an additional 6,775 shares during the last quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. raised its holdings in shares of Walmart by 16.9% during the 3rd quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 505,371 shares of the retailer's stock worth $52,518,000 after buying an additional 73,121 shares in the last quarter. DecisionPoint Financial LLC lifted its position in shares of Walmart by 197.1% during the 3rd quarter. DecisionPoint Financial LLC now owns 710 shares of the retailer's stock worth $74,000 after buying an additional 471 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Pinnacle Wealth Planning Services Inc. lifted its position in shares of Walmart by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter. Pinnacle Wealth Planning Services Inc. now owns 36,277 shares of the retailer's stock worth $3,770,000 after buying an additional 451 shares during the last quarter. 26.76% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have commented on the company. Wolfe Research reissued an "outperform" rating and set a $115.00 target price on shares of Walmart in a research note on Friday, August 21st. Robert W. Baird reduced their price target on shares of Walmart from $140.00 to $120.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, August 21st. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a "buy" rating and set a $130.00 price objective on shares of Walmart in a research report on Friday, August 21st. DA Davidson reiterated a "buy" rating and set a $132.00 price objective on shares of Walmart in a research report on Thursday, September 10th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets restated an "outperform" rating and issued a $126.00 target price on shares of Walmart in a research report on Friday, August 21st. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirty-three have issued a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $132.41.

Walmart Stock Up 2.1%

Shares of WMT opened at $121.25 on Friday. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $109.84 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $118.37. Walmart Inc. has a 12 month low of $98.88 and a 12 month high of $135.15. The company has a market capitalization of $961.97 billion, a PE ratio of 43.77, a PEG ratio of 4.29 and a beta of 0.58. The company has a current ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41.

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, beating the consensus estimate of $0.74 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $187.94 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $186.64 billion. Walmart had a return on equity of 21.83% and a net margin of 3.00%. The business's quarterly revenue was up 5.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $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, analysts anticipate that Walmart Inc. will post 2.88 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Walmart

In other news, EVP Latriece Watkins sold 5,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.00, for a total value of $575,000.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 110,432 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,699,680. The trade was a 4.33% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, EVP Daniel J. Bartlett sold 3,990 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $104.41, for a total transaction of $416,595.90. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 618,359 shares in the company, valued at approximately $64,562,863.19. This represents a 0.64% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. In the last three months, insiders have sold 102,244 shares of company stock worth $11,112,044. Company insiders own 0.09% of the company's stock.

More Walmart News

Here are the key news stories impacting Walmart this week:

• Positive Sentiment: ETF demand provided support: Walmart recorded approximately $36.2 million in net ETF buying, indicating institutional demand. This follows a prior report that ETFs were net sellers, suggesting flows have been mixed but recently improved. Walmart Sees $36.2 Million in Net ETF Buying
• Positive Sentiment: Healthcare expansion could create a new growth channel: Walmart broadened its Better Care Services platform into a healthcare marketplace that connects customers with third-party providers through its stores and digital channels. The strategy could increase customer engagement and diversify revenue over time. Walmart Launched a Healthcare Services Marketplace
• Positive Sentiment: Value messaging remains a competitive advantage: Walmart lowered the price of its holiday meal basket by $5, reinforcing its affordability strategy and potentially helping it attract budget-conscious shoppers during the important holiday season. Walmart Lowers Holiday Meal Basket by $5
• Neutral Sentiment: Investor debate centers on valuation: Walmart trades at a much higher earnings multiple than Target, Tesco and some other retail alternatives. Analysts note Walmart’s scale and digital ecosystem, but also point to slowing comparable-sales growth and a premium valuation.
• Negative Sentiment: FTC scrutiny creates regulatory risk: The Federal Trade Commission ordered Walmart to provide information about using consumer data to personalize prices and wages. The inquiry could lead to additional compliance costs, reputational pressure or future regulation. FTC Demands Data on Personalized Pricing
• Negative Sentiment: Competition in digital delivery is intensifying: DoorDash’s planned $17 billion acquisition of Instacart strengthens its ability to compete with Amazon and Walmart in online grocery and delivery, potentially increasing pressure on Walmart’s digital growth and margins. DoorDash Makes Instacart Acquisition

Walmart Company Profile

Walmart Inc NASDAQ: WMT operates a global retail business through a network of supercenters, supermarkets, discount stores, neighborhood markets, warehouse clubs and e-commerce platforms. Its stores and websites sell a broad assortment of merchandise, including groceries, consumables, health and wellness products, apparel, electronics, home goods, toys and other general merchandise.

The company organizes its operations into Walmart U.S., Walmart International and Sam's Club U.S. Walmart U.S.

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