Walmart (NYSE:WMT) Sees Large Volume Increase - Should You Buy?

Key Points

• Walmart shares experienced a trading volume of 18.3 million on Thursday, reflecting a slight decline from the previous day's 18.9 million, with the stock priced at $97.92.
• Multiple research analysts have raised their price targets for Walmart, with KeyCorp setting a target of $110 and Telsey Advisory Group issuing a $115 target, indicating a consensus rating of "Buy" for the stock.
• The company reported a quarterly EPS of $0.68, missing the consensus estimate of $0.74, alongside a revenue of $169.34 billion, which was below the expected $174.02 billion.

Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT - Get Free Report) shares saw strong trading volume on Thursday . 18,299,648 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 3% from the previous session's volume of 18,859,049 shares.The stock last traded at $97.92 and had previously closed at $102.57.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. KeyCorp boosted their price objective on shares of Walmart from $105.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, June 9th. Telsey Advisory Group reiterated an "outperform" rating and issued a $115.00 price target on shares of Walmart in a research note on Thursday, August 14th. Mizuho reiterated an "outperform" rating and issued a $115.00 price target on shares of Walmart in a research note on Wednesday, August 13th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Walmart from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, May 12th. Finally, Evercore ISI reiterated an "outperform" rating and issued a $110.00 price target (up previously from $108.00) on shares of Walmart in a research note on Monday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-nine have issued a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $109.89.

Walmart Stock Performance

The firm has a market cap of $780.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 41.78, a P/E/G ratio of 4.86 and a beta of 0.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 0.22 and a current ratio of 0.78. The company's 50 day moving average is $97.88 and its 200 day moving average is $95.67.

Walmart (NYSE:WMT - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 21st. The retailer reported $0.68 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.74 by ($0.06). Walmart had a net margin of 2.75% and a return on equity of 21.76%. The company had revenue of $169.34 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $174.02 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.67 EPS. Walmart's revenue for the quarter was up 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. Walmart has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 0.580-0.600 EPS. FY 2026 guidance at 2.520-2.620 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Walmart Inc. will post 2.55 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Walmart Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 2nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 18th will be paid a $0.235 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 90.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 15th. Walmart's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 40.17%.

Insider Transactions at Walmart

In other Walmart news, EVP Daniel J. Bartlett sold 1,760 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, June 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $94.77, for a total value of $166,795.20. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 650,977 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $61,693,090.29. This trade represents a 0.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO C Douglas Mcmillon sold 19,416 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $95.58, for a total transaction of $1,855,781.28. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 4,412,398 shares in the company, valued at $421,737,000.84. This trade represents a 0.44% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 84,841 shares of company stock valued at $8,161,365. Corporate insiders own 0.10% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Access Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Walmart during the second quarter valued at about $26,000. Operose Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Walmart by 319.7% during the first quarter. Operose Advisors LLC now owns 319 shares of the retailer's stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 243 shares during the last quarter. PFS Partners LLC increased its holdings in Walmart by 267.8% during the second quarter. PFS Partners LLC now owns 320 shares of the retailer's stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 233 shares during the last quarter. Ridgewood Investments LLC increased its holdings in Walmart by 55.3% during the second quarter. Ridgewood Investments LLC now owns 323 shares of the retailer's stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 115 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bear Mountain Capital Inc. increased its holdings in Walmart by 98.2% during the first quarter. Bear Mountain Capital Inc. now owns 337 shares of the retailer's stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 167 shares during the last quarter. 26.76% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Walmart Company Profile

Walmart 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.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest and most accurate reporting. This story was reviewed by MarketBeat's editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.