The stock market has a funny way of making the obvious look complicated. If you're checking your phone today, January 17, 2026, wondering what is the price of walmart stock, you’re seeing a number that reflects a retail giant in the middle of a massive identity shift. Right now, Walmart (WMT) is trading around $119.82.
That’s a big jump from where we were a year ago. Honestly, it’s kinda wild to think that just back in early 2024, people were still debating if Walmart could actually keep up with Amazon. Now? The conversation has completely flipped.
Where the price of walmart stock stands right now
Walmart didn't just crawl into 2026; it sprinted. After closing yesterday at $119.20, the stock saw some intraday movement between $116.90 and $120.60. We are basically hovering near the all-time highs. If you look at the 52-week range—which goes from about $79 to $121—you’ve seen a gain of over 30% in a single year.
For a "boring" grocery stock, that is massive.
But here is the thing: the price isn't just about how many boxes of Cheerios they sold in Bentonville. It’s about the fact that Walmart is now a tech company that happens to have 10,000 stores.
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Why the market is paying a premium
Investors are currently paying about 41 times earnings for WMT. In the "old days," that would have been considered insane for a retailer. Typically, you’d expect a P/E ratio closer to 20 or 25. So why the high price tag?
- The AI Factor: Walmart isn't just "using" AI; they've basically rebuilt their shopping experience around it. Their partnership with OpenAI and Google Gemini allows people to shop via "agentic commerce." Basically, you talk to an AI, and it handles the order.
- The Nasdaq Move: You might have missed this, but Walmart recently moved its listing from the NYSE to the Nasdaq. It officially joins the Nasdaq-100 on January 20, 2026, replacing AstraZeneca. That move isn't just symbolic; it forces a ton of index funds to buy the stock, which provides a natural floor for the price.
- Delivery Speed: About 35% of their U.S. orders are now delivered in under three hours. That’s faster than most people can get through a physical checkout line on a Saturday morning.
The "Invisible" profit drivers
When you ask about the price of walmart stock, you have to look at what’s happening under the hood. Their advertising wing, Walmart Connect, grew by over 33% recently. Advertising has much higher margins than selling a gallon of milk.
Then there's the membership income. Walmart+ is finally finding its footing against Amazon Prime, especially with the integration of OnePay, their fintech arm that’s now valued at over $4 billion.
Analyst vibes and targets
Not everyone thinks it’s a slam dunk at $119, though.
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- Wolfe Research recently put an "Outperform" rating on it with a $130 target.
- RBC Capital is even more bullish, bumping their target to $126.
- Raymond James is a bit more cautious, with a $115 target, suggesting the stock might be a little "overheated" right now.
The consensus among the big banks is still a "Strong Buy," but they acknowledge that at a 41x multiple, the room for error is getting thin.
Upcoming catalysts for WMT price
We have a huge date coming up: February 19, 2026. That’s when Walmart reports its next round of earnings. Analysts are expecting an Earnings Per Share (EPS) of about $0.73.
There is also a major leadership change happening. John Furner is stepping in as CEO on February 1st. Usually, the market gets a little twitchy when a long-time leader moves on, but Furner is a Walmart veteran. Most insiders expect he’ll keep the current "tech-first" momentum going without missing a beat.
The risk factors
It’s not all sunshine and blue spark logos. Tariffs are still a headache for global retailers, and there’s a new "fair pricing" legislation taking effect in early 2026 that could squeeze margins in their pharmacy business.
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Plus, let's be real: at $120 a share, a lot of the good news is already "priced in." If they miss that February earnings target by even a penny, we could see a quick retreat toward the $110 level.
How to play the current Walmart price
If you're looking at the price of walmart stock as a potential buyer, you've got to decide if you believe in the "Premium Retail" thesis. Walmart is no longer the "budget" option for investors; it’s a growth play.
Watch the $121 resistance level. If it breaks through that 52-week high with high volume, we could see a run toward $135. If it fails to break $121 before the February earnings report, it might be worth waiting for a "dip" back toward the $112-114 range where there seems to be a lot of buying support.
Keep an eye on the Nasdaq-100 inclusion on January 20th. There's often a bit of "buy the rumor, sell the news" volatility around those dates.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the volume on January 20th to see if the Nasdaq-100 inclusion causes a price spike.
- Set a price alert for $114 if you're looking for a better entry point.
- Mark your calendar for February 19 for the Q4 earnings release to see if the AI investments are actually hitting the bottom line.