NEW YORK, Jan 28, 2026, 20:14 EST — The market has closed.
- After the close, Walmart shares slipped roughly 0.3% to $116.57.
- The retailer raised pay bands for pharmacy technicians and upgraded 3,000 positions.
- Investors are eyeing the Feb. 19 results for insights on margins and the company’s healthcare strategy.
Walmart Inc shares dipped slightly in after-hours trading Wednesday, falling roughly 0.3% to $116.57.
The retailer announced it will raise pay for pharmacy technicians and promote 3,000 employees to operations team lead roles as it ramps up digital and pharmacy healthcare services. This move highlights intensifying competition for pharmacy customers, with Amazon advancing same-day prescription delivery and expanding access to weight-loss drugs. 1
Why it matters now: U.S. equities found their footing following the Federal Reserve’s decision to pause rate hikes, yet consumer staples — including Walmart — lagged behind. Investors remain uncertain about when borrowing costs will drop, directly influencing valuations for defensive retailers. 2
Walmart reported that the new team lead positions start at around $28 an hour on average, with some locations offering up to $42 an hour. They also expanded the pay scale for pharmacy technicians, with the highest rates hitting $40.50 an hour in certain areas.
“This investment is really about supporting the pharmacy teams who show up for their communities every day,” said Kevin Host, Walmart’s senior vice president of pharmacy. 3
Investors are weighing how much of the rising wage costs will stick and how much can be balanced out by volume, customer retention, and the bigger gamble that healthcare services will drive more visits both in stores and online.
Walmart is pushing deeper into health and wellness, promoting pharmacy delivery and digital services alongside its traditional groceries and general merchandise. This approach could strengthen its competitive edge — but it also risks boosting fixed costs just as consumers remain highly sensitive to price.
But wage hikes aren’t one-sided. If rising pay goes beyond pharmacies or if demand for discretionary goods weakens, margin concerns could flare up fast—especially for a company operating on slim retail margins.
Walmart’s fiscal 2026 Q4 earnings drop on Feb. 19. Materials are expected by 6 a.m. Central, followed by a conference call at 7 a.m. 4
