Walmart (NASDAQ:WMT) Stock Price Down 3.5% After Insider Selling

Walmart Inc. (NASDAQ:WMT) was down 3.5% during mid-day trading on Thursday following insider selling activity. The company traded as low as $121.65 and last traded at $123.31. Approximately 28,540,987 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 19% from the average daily volume of 35,368,293 shares. The stock had previously closed at $127.81.

Specifically, EVP John D. Rainey sold 20,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $127.79, for a total transaction of $2,555,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 486,764 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $62,203,571.56. This trade represents a 3.95% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director C Douglas Mcmillon sold 19,416 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $126.71, for a total transaction of $2,460,201.36. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 4,023,209 shares in the company, valued at approximately $509,780,812.39. The trade was a 0.48% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. HSBC downgraded Walmart from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $122.00 to $131.00 in a report on Friday, February 20th. Citigroup reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $147.00 price target (up from $120.00) on shares of Walmart in a research note on Thursday, February 5th. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $145.00 price target on Walmart in a research report on Friday, February 20th. Robert W. Baird lifted their price objective on Walmart from $110.00 to $121.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, November 21st. Finally, KeyCorp restated an “overweight” rating and issued a $145.00 target price (up from $128.00) on shares of Walmart in a research note on Friday, February 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirty have issued a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $134.42.

More Walmart News

Here are the key news stories impacting Walmart this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Company fundamentals: Walmart’s recent quarter showed solid top‑line momentum and continued e‑commerce strength, supporting the long‑term retail story and giving investors reason to buy on weakness. Walmart vs. Target: Which Stock Is a Better Buy?
• Positive Sentiment: Potential upside from PhonePe: Reports that PhonePe (Walmart‑backed) is targeting a $9–10.5B IPO valuation could boost perceived value of Walmart’s international/fintech exposure. Exclusive: Walmart-backed PhonePe targets up to $10.5 billion valuation in India IPO, sources say
• Positive Sentiment: Store investment & partner recognition: Walmart opened a next‑generation Supercenter and suppliers (e.g., Scosche) are being recognized for strong partnership — signals that in‑store and supplier execution continue. Walmart Opens Next Generation Supercenter in The Villages, Highlights Florida‑Grown Products
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst support: Multiple firms maintain buy/overweight ratings and elevated price targets (median targets above current levels), giving a cushion for longer‑term holders. Tickerreport: Analyst updates
• Neutral Sentiment: Investor briefing material: Walmart’s Morgan Stanley TMT presentation transcript is out — useful for parsing tech/AI and fulfillment plans but contains no single market‑moving surprise. Walmart Inc. (WMT) Presents at Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference 2026 Transcript
• Negative Sentiment: Cautious guidance & regulatory settlement: Market reaction appears driven by a conservative forward outlook and renewed attention on a roughly $100M settlement tied to the Spark Driver delivery program — raises concerns about compliance costs and friction in the e‑commerce/delivery narrative. Walmart slides as cautious outlook and regulatory settlement weigh on sentiment
• Negative Sentiment: Insider selling disclosed: EVP John Rainey sold 20,000 shares (SEC filing), a modest signal that some insiders are trimming, which can amplify near‑term weakness even if economically immaterial. SEC Form 4 disclosure — John D. Rainey sale
• Negative Sentiment: Macro/trade risk: Analysis flags tariff and import exposure as a tangible margin risk given Walmart’s import footprint — a policy shock could hit costs and weigh on margins. Walmart: Navigating A Bumpy Tariff Environment
• Negative Sentiment: Competitive flow: Renewed enthusiasm for Target’s turnaround could pull discretionary retail allocations away from Walmart, pressuring relative performance. Target’s 2026 Turnaround: Analysts Bullish as Growth Returns

Walmart Stock Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $982.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 45.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.76 and a beta of 0.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.24. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $121.63 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $110.77.

Walmart (NASDAQ:WMT) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 19th. The retailer reported $0.74 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.73 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $190.66 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $188.37 billion. Walmart had a net margin of 3.07% and a return on equity of 21.44%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 5.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.66 EPS. Walmart has set its FY 2027 guidance at 2.750-2.850 EPS and its Q1 2027 guidance at 0.610-0.610 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Walmart Inc. will post 2.55 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Walmart Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 4th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 11th will be paid a dividend of $0.2475 per share. This represents a $0.99 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 11th. Walmart’s dividend payout ratio is 36.13%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of WMT. Collier Financial acquired a new stake in Walmart in the third quarter worth about $25,000. Entrust Financial LLC bought a new position in shares of Walmart in the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Your Advocates Ltd. LLP acquired a new stake in shares of Walmart during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Redmont Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Walmart during the third quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, Beacon Financial Strategies CORP acquired a new position in Walmart in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Institutional investors own 26.76% of the company’s stock.

Walmart Company Profile

Walmart is a multinational retail corporation that operates a broad portfolio of store formats and digital services. Its core business includes large-format supercenters, discount department stores, neighborhood grocery stores and a membership warehouse chain, Sam’s Club. The company’s merchandising mix covers groceries, household goods, apparel, electronics and pharmacy services, supplemented by private-label products and category-specific offerings. Walmart pairs its physical store network with online platforms and mobile applications to provide omnichannel shopping, fulfillment and delivery options for consumers and businesses.

The company was founded by Sam Walton, who opened the first store in Rogers, Arkansas in 1962; it is headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas.