Ever walked into a Walmart and wondered how much of that massive building you could actually "own" for the price of a decent steak dinner? Honestly, looking at the walmart stock price per share today, you might be surprised. It’s not just a grocery store anymore; it’s a tech-heavy, data-driven monster that’s currently hovering around $119.82.
That’s the closing price as of the most recent trading session on Friday, January 16, 2026. The market is closed today, Saturday, January 17, but the buzz hasn't stopped. We saw a bit of a climb recently. WMT finished up about 0.52% to end the week.
The Real Numbers Right Now
People see $120-ish and think "cheap" or "expensive" based on nothing but the number. That’s a mistake. Since the 3-for-1 stock split back in early 2024, the psychological barrier shifted. If you’re tracking the walmart stock price per share today, you have to look at the 52-week range to get the full story. It’s been as low as $79.85 and as high as $121.24 over the last year. Basically, we are sitting right near the top of the mountain.
Why?
It's not just because they sell a lot of milk.
Investors are piling in because Walmart has basically become a defensive fortress. While tech stocks have been acting like a rollercoaster lately, Walmart is the steady hand. On January 12, just a few days ago, the stock actually hit an all-time high of $117.48 before pushing even higher toward that $120 mark.
Walmart Stock Price Per Share Today and the Nasdaq Shift
Something huge happened recently that most casual shoppers missed. On December 9, 2025, Walmart officially moved its listing to the Nasdaq. It’s also set to join the Nasdaq-100 index, replacing AstraZeneca, effective January 20, 2026. This is a massive deal.
When a stock joins a major index, every fund that "tracks" that index has to buy shares. It’s like a forced wave of demand. This "index inclusion" is a primary reason the walmart stock price per share today feels so buoyant. It’s being propped up by institutional buying that has nothing to do with how many people bought TVs last week.
👉 See also: Crude Price for Today: Why the Market Just Can't Catch a Break
The "Sparky" Factor and AI
Doug McMillon and John Furner have been leaning hard into the "tech-powered enterprise" narrative. They launched "Sparky," a generative AI shopping assistant, which sounds kinda gimmicky until you realize it’s actually moving the needle on e-commerce.
Global e-commerce grew 27% in the last quarter. That is insane for a company this big. They aren't just competing with Target anymore; they are breathing down Amazon's neck.
- Walmart Connect: Their advertising arm is now contributing nearly a third of their total operating income.
- High-Income Shift: About 75% of their recent market-share gains came from households making over $100,000 a year.
- Delivery Speed: 35% of U.S. orders are now arriving in under three hours.
When you look at the walmart stock price per share today, you're looking at a company that has successfully "traded up" its customer base. Wealthy people are shopping at Walmart because the app is good and the delivery is fast. That’s a fundamental shift in the business model.
Is the Valuation Getting Too Spicy?
Not everything is sunshine and low prices.
Walmart’s price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is sitting around 41.98. For a retail stock, that’s high. To put it in perspective, Target usually trades at a much lower multiple, often around 12-15x. Even Costco, the gold standard of retail loyalty, sits around 42x.
So, Walmart is being valued like a high-growth tech company.
If they miss an earnings report or if e-commerce growth slows down to "normal" retail levels, that $119 price tag could see a sharp correction. Analysts like those at Simply Wall St actually suggest the stock might be slightly overvalued based on discounted cash flow models, estimating a "fair value" closer to $113.
Dividends: The Slow and Steady Win
If you’re holding WMT, you’re probably in it for the dividend. They recently raised it by 13% to $0.94 per share annually.
- Quarterly Payout: You get $0.235 every three months.
- Dividend Aristocrat: This was their 52nd consecutive year of increases.
- Last Payment: The most recent dividend hit accounts on January 5, 2026.
It’s not a huge yield—only about 0.78%—but it’s as reliable as a heartbeat.
What Happens Next?
The next big catalyst is the Q4 and Full Year 2026 earnings report, scheduled for February 19, 2026.
Expectations are high. Analysts are looking for an EPS (Earnings Per Share) around $0.73 for the quarter. If they beat that, we might see the walmart stock price per share today break through the $125 resistance level. If they provide "cautious guidance" for the rest of 2026 due to potential tariff pressures or cooling consumer spend, we could see a retreat back toward the $110 support zone.
Actionable Insights for Investors
If you're looking at Walmart right now, don't just stare at the daily ticker.
- Watch the Nasdaq-100 Inclusion: The actual index rebalancing on January 20 could cause some short-term volatility.
- Check the Margins: Keep an eye on the "business mix." If advertising and membership (Walmart+) continue to grow, the high P/E ratio is justified. If they stall, the stock is a "sell."
- The $100k Household Trend: This is the most important metric. As long as high-earners keep "trading down" to Walmart for groceries, the floor for the stock remains very high.
Honestly, the walmart stock price per share today represents a company that has successfully transitioned from a brick-and-mortar dinosaur into a digital powerhouse. Whether it's worth $120 is up to your risk tolerance, but the momentum is clearly on the side of the bulls for now.
Wait for the February 19 earnings call before making any massive moves. That report will reveal if the holiday season was as strong as the current price suggests. If the "Sparky" AI assistant actually drove conversion rates higher during the Christmas rush, $120 might actually look like a bargain in hindsight.
Keep an eye on the support level at $108. If the market broadens out and people start moving back into "riskier" tech, defensive plays like Walmart often see a "pullback" as money rotates elsewhere. That would be the ideal entry point for anyone who feels like they missed the boat on this recent rally.