Honestly, if you'd told someone five years ago that Walmart (WMT) would be the "tech stock" everyone is chasing in 2026, they probably would’ve laughed. Yet, here we are. It is Friday, January 16, 2026, and the retail giant is currently trading around $118.68. That is just a hair below its recent 52-week high of $120.51.
The stock is down about 0.43% today, but that's just noise. The real headline is what happens next Tuesday. On January 20, Walmart officially joins the Nasdaq-100. This isn't just a administrative move. It’s a total vibe shift for a company that spent 50 years on the New York Stock Exchange.
Basically, the walmart stock market today reflects a company that has successfully convinced Wall Street it isn't just a place to buy cheap socks and milk. It’s an AI-driven, logistics-heavy monster that is finally getting the valuation of a software company.
Why the Nasdaq move actually matters for your wallet
Most people see index rebalancing and yawn. Don't. When a stock like Walmart moves into the Nasdaq-100—replacing AstraZeneca, by the way—it forces a massive wave of buying.
Think about it. Every single index fund and ETF that tracks the Nasdaq-100 now has to buy millions of shares of WMT. We’ve already seen the stock climb nearly 5% in the last few days just on the anticipation of this "passive" demand.
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But it’s also symbolic. By listing on the Nasdaq, Walmart is signaling that its future isn't in aisles; it's in algorithms. They just announced a massive partnership with Google, integrating Gemini AI into their shopping experience. You can now basically "talk" to the Walmart app, and it uses Google's tech to find what you need and get it to your door in under three hours.
The numbers that aren't on the front page
Kinda crazy, but e-commerce now accounts for roughly 18% of Walmart’s total revenue. That’s over $122 billion in digital sales. To put that in perspective, their global e-commerce grew 27% in the most recent quarter.
- Walmart Connect (their ad business) is up 33% in the U.S.
- Operating Income is growing faster than sales—that’s the "holy grail" for investors.
- Membership income (Walmart+ and Sam’s Club) grew 9% recently.
High-income households—people making over $100,000—account for 75% of Walmart’s recent market share gains. That is a massive shift. Walmart used to be the place you went because you had to save money. Now, it's the place you go because the app is better than Amazon’s and the delivery is faster.
Is it too expensive to buy right now?
Analysts are a bit split, though most are still leaning "Buy." The consensus price target is hovering around $123, with some bulls like TD Cowen shouting for $136.
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But let’s be real. A P/E ratio of 41.6 is expensive for a grocery store. Target and Kroger aren't even close to that. The market is pricing Walmart like a tech company. If they miss even one earnings beat, that "tech premium" could evaporate fast.
One thing that worries some folks is "strained consumer sentiment." Bernstein analysts recently pointed out that while the rich are still spending, lower-income shoppers are feeling the pinch of persistent inflation and a cooling labor market. Since Walmart still relies on the "everyday low price" crowd for its base, a real recession would hit them, even if they are the "defensive" pick.
The Furner Era begins
There’s also some drama in the executive suite. Doug McMillon is stepping down as CEO on January 31, 2026. Taking the reins is John Furner, who has been running Walmart U.S.
Just today, the company named David Guggina as the new head of Walmart U.S. to fill Furner's shoes. Guggina is a supply chain and tech nerd—the guy behind the automated fulfillment centers. This tells you exactly where the company is headed: more robots, more AI, less friction.
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What should you actually do?
If you are looking at the walmart stock market today and wondering if you missed the boat, you have to decide what you’re buying.
If you want a safe dividend play, the 0.79% yield is fine, but not great.
If you’re buying the tech transformation, the current momentum is strong, but the stock is technically in "neutral" territory according to the Relative Strength Index (RSI). It’s not overbought yet, but it’s getting close.
Actionable Insights for Investors:
- Watch the Nasdaq-100 inclusion date (Jan 20): Expect high volume and potentially a "sell the news" dip shortly after the initial spike.
- Monitor e-commerce margins: The big question is whether they can keep making delivery profitable. Store-fulfilled delivery is their secret weapon here.
- Pay attention to the Google Gemini integration: If users actually start using AI to shop, Walmart’s ad revenue (Walmart Connect) will explode.
- Keep an eye on the $117 support level: If it breaks below that, the next stop could be the 50-day average near $100.
Basically, Walmart isn't your grandma’s retail stock anymore. It's a high-flying, tech-integrated behemoth that is currently winning the war for the American doorstep. Just keep an eye on that valuation—it’s getting a bit spicy.
Check the technical indicators on Tuesday morning when the Nasdaq shift goes live; that will be the real test of whether this rally has legs or if the big players are looking for the exit.