If you’re checking your phone to see what's the price of walmart stock right now, you’re looking at a retail titan that’s currently hovering around $119.82. That was the closing price as of Friday, January 16, 2026. Honestly, it’s been a wild ride for a company that most people used to think of as a "boring" defensive play.
Markets are closed today, Sunday, January 18, so that $119 handle is where things sit until the opening bell rings on Monday morning.
The stock, which trades under the ticker WMT on the New York Stock Exchange, has been bumping up against its 52-week high of $121.24. It’s a far cry from where it sat just a year ago. Back in early 2025, you could grab shares for around $90. If you’ve been holding since then, you’re likely feeling pretty good about that 30% jump.
But retail is a fickle beast. Even for a giant like Walmart.
The Reality Behind What's the Price of Walmart Stock
Prices change in seconds. But the story behind those numbers takes years to build.
Right now, Walmart is basically a tech company with a massive footprint of brick-and-mortar stores. That’s how Wall Street sees it, anyway. When you look at the price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, it’s sitting at a hefty 41.98. For context, that is high for a grocery-heavy retailer. Investors aren't just paying for the milk and eggs sold in Bentonville; they’re paying for the data, the advertising revenue, and the massive automated supply chain.
Recent Price Action and Stats
To get a real sense of the momentum, look at the last few trading sessions. On Friday, the stock opened at $118.67, dipped to a low of $116.90, but then rallied late in the day to finish strong.
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- Current Price (Last Close): $119.82
- 52-Week High: $121.24
- 52-Week Low: $79.85
- Market Cap: Roughly $954 billion
It is knocking on the door of that trillion-dollar club. Only a handful of companies have ever breathed that air.
Why the Numbers Keep Climbing
A huge part of the recent surge comes down to "omnichannel" success. That’s a fancy corporate word for "we sell stuff everywhere." Walmart’s e-commerce growth has been clocking in at over 20% for several quarters now. In the most recent Q3 fiscal 2026 report, they saw a 27% jump in global e-commerce.
People are addicted to the convenience.
Delivery is the secret sauce here. About 35% of their store-fulfilled orders are now being delivered in under three hours. Think about that. You order a toaster and some laundry detergent, and it’s at your door before you’ve finished watching a movie. That kind of speed is expensive to build, but it’s clearly paying off in the share price.
Then there’s the advertising business, Walmart Connect. It grew 33% in the U.S. recently. Selling ads is way more profitable than selling boxes of cereal, and the market loves those high-margin digits.
The February Split Hangover
You might remember the massive buzz around the 3-for-1 stock split back in February 2024. Before that split, the stock was trading in the $170s. By tripling the number of shares, they brought the price down to a "more accessible" level for everyday investors and their own employees.
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CEO Doug McMillon was pretty vocal about wanting associates to be able to buy whole shares rather than just fractions. It worked. There are now over 400,000 employees participating in the Associate Stock Purchase Plan.
When more people can afford to buy in, it often creates a floor for the price. It’s psychological, sure, but in the stock market, psychology is half the battle.
Dividends: The Slow and Steady Win
Walmart is a "Dividend King." They’ve increased their payout for 53 consecutive years.
If you’re looking for a massive yield, you might be disappointed. The current dividend yield is around 0.79%. That’s about $0.94 per share annually, paid out in quarterly installments of $0.235.
It’s not going to make you rich overnight. But for retirees or long-term "buy and hold" types, that consistency is like a warm blanket. You know the check is coming. The next big date to watch is February 19, 2026, when they report their Q4 and full-year earnings. Analysts are expecting an Earnings Per Share (EPS) of about $0.73 for the quarter.
What Analysts are Saying
Is it too expensive? Some think so.
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Wolfe Research recently reiterated an Outperform rating with a price target of $130.00. They like the "deep leadership bench," especially with John Furner set to take over as CEO on February 1st. But they also warned that the stock is trading at a "rich valuation."
Others, like BTIG, have a median target of $125.00.
If you buy at $120, and the target is $125, you’re not looking at a ton of upside in the short term. You’re basically betting that Walmart will continue to eat the lunch of smaller retailers while successfully fending off Amazon.
Actionable Insights for Investors
If you're tracking what's the price of walmart stock because you're thinking of jumping in, here is how to play it:
- Watch the $121 Resistance: The stock has struggled to break cleanly above its 52-week high. If it clears $122 on high volume, it could run. If it fails, look for a pullback toward the $112 range for a better entry.
- Mind the Earnings Date: February 19 is the "Big Day." Volatility usually spikes right before the report. If they miss on e-commerce growth numbers, the stock could easily shed 5% in a morning.
- Check the VIZIO Integration: Walmart’s acquisition of VIZIO is all about the data and the "SmartCast" operating system. Keep an eye on how they integrate those ads into the retail ecosystem. It’s a huge part of the bull case.
- The Leadership Transition: John Furner taking the reins in February is a big deal. Leadership changes always carry a "slight execution risk," as Wolfe Research pointed out. Watch for his first few public statements to see if the strategy shifts.
Walmart isn't just a store anymore. It's an automated, data-driven monster. Whether that justifies a $120 price tag depends on if you believe they can keep up this breakneck digital pace without sacrificing their "Every Day Low Price" soul.
To stay ahead of the next move, set a price alert for $116.50. That’s been a recent area of support. If it holds there during a dip, it might be the "sale" you’re looking for before the next leg up.
Next Steps for You: Check your brokerage account for the "Ex-Dividend" date if you're hunting for that next $0.235 payment. Typically, you need to own the shares at least one business day before the record date to qualify. Also, keep an eye on the broader Consumer Staples sector (ETF: XLP) to see if the whole industry is moving, or if Walmart is just outperforming the pack on its own merit.