Wal-Mart Shares Up $4.12, Mixed Options Sentiment
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 2d ago
0mins
Should l Buy WMT?
Mixed options sentiment in Wal-Mart (WMT), with shares up $4.12, or 3.25%, near $131.06. Options volume running well above average with 185k contracts traded and puts leading calls for a put/call ratio of 1.12, compared to a typical level near 0.79. Implied volatility (IV30) is higher by 0.3 points near 33.08, in the highest 10% of observations over the past year, suggesting an expected daily move of $2.73. Put-call skew flattened, suggesting a modestly bullish tone.Looking ahead: Wal-Mart (WMT) will report earnings before the open on 2026-02-19.Option markets are pricing in a 50% probability of a move greater than 4.1% or $5.38.
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Analyst Views on WMT
Wall Street analysts forecast WMT stock price to fall over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for WMT is 125.75 USD with a low forecast of 119.00 USD and a high forecast of 136.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
26 Analyst Rating
25 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 126.940
Low
119.00
Averages
125.75
High
136.00
Current: 126.940
Low
119.00
Averages
125.75
High
136.00
About WMT
Walmart Inc. is a technology-powered omnichannel retailer. The Company is engaged in the operation of retail and wholesale stores and clubs, as well as eCommerce Websites and mobile applications, located throughout the United States (U.S.), Africa, Canada, Central America, Chile, China, India and Mexico. It operates in three reportable segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International and Sam's Club U.S. The Walmart U.S. segment includes the Company's mass merchandising concept in the U.S., as well as eCommerce, which includes omni-channel initiatives and certain other business offerings such as advertising services. The Walmart International segment consists of the Company's operations outside of the U.S. through its subsidiaries, as well as eCommerce and omni-channel initiatives. The Sam's Club U.S. segment includes the warehouse membership clubs in the U.S., as well as samsclub.com and omni-channel initiatives.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Strong E-commerce Performance: Global e-commerce sales surged by 27%, indicating Walmart's successful transformation and market share gains in digital retail, enhancing its competitive edge and driving future growth potential.
- Substantial Shareholder Returns: An investment of $16.50 at Walmart's IPO would be worth $786,432 today, illustrating the immense benefits of long-term holding and underscoring the importance of patient investing.
- Outstanding Market Performance: Over the past decade, Walmart's stock has delivered a 480% return, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 260%, reflecting not only the company's successful transformation in the retail sector but also the trust it has built among investors.
See More
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- Significant Sales Growth: In Q3 of fiscal 2026, Walmart reported net sales of $177 billion, a 5.8% increase, demonstrating resilience and adaptability in the face of economic uncertainty.
- Strong E-commerce Performance: Global e-commerce sales surged by 27%, indicating Walmart's successful digital transformation and further solidifying its market share, enhancing future growth potential.
- Substantial Shareholder Returns: Early investors who purchased Walmart stock at $16.50 during its IPO would now hold shares worth $786,432, illustrating the immense potential of long-term holding.
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- Return Performance Discrepancy: While RSPS offers a slightly higher dividend yield, FSTA has outperformed in one-year and five-year total returns, indicating that FSTA may provide better capital appreciation opportunities amid market fluctuations.
- Holdings Structure Comparison: FSTA holds 96 stocks, primarily concentrated in large consumer brands like Costco, Walmart, and Procter & Gamble, which account for nearly 37% of its assets, whereas RSPS evenly distributes its 36 holdings, ensuring a balanced risk and return profile.
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- Enhanced Profitability: Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) surged 68% from $0.74 to $1.24, surpassing the analyst expectation of $0.72, reflecting the company's success in cost control and operational efficiency.
- Market Share Expansion: The e.l.f. brand gained 130 basis points in the mass cosmetics market, with U.S. and international revenues rising 36% and 44% respectively, despite weak consumption in the U.K., showcasing the brand's global appeal.
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