Walmart Inc. (WMT) ended the Christmas Eve trading session modestly higher in a shortened, low-liquidity day on Wall Street—an important detail for anyone trying to read too much into the close. Walmart shares finished Dec. 24, 2025 at $111.61, up about 0.6%, after trading between roughly $110.57 and $111.69 on volume that was noticeably lighter than a typical full session.
But if you’re preparing for “tomorrow’s open,” here’s the first thing to know: U.S. stock markets are closed Thursday, Dec. 25 (Christmas Day). The next full session is Friday, Dec. 26. [1]
Below is a detailed, publication-ready roundup of what moved Walmart stock today, the freshest forecasts and analyst takes published on Dec. 24, and a practical checklist of what to monitor before markets reopen.
Walmart stock price today: how WMT traded into the Christmas Eve close
Walmart’s price action on Dec. 24 was steady rather than explosive—typical for a holiday-shortened day:
- Close: $111.61 (up ~0.6%)
- Day range: about $110.57 to $111.69
- Volume: about 8.9 million shares (thin vs. earlier sessions this week) [2]
Context matters. Walmart had slid in the prior two sessions (Dec. 22 and Dec. 23) before stabilizing today, leaving the stock in a tight late-December band. [3]
WMT is also sitting about 5% below its 52-week high near $117.45, which was set earlier this month—meaning the stock remains close enough to recent highs that both momentum traders and valuation-focused investors are watching the same levels. [4]
The calendar trap: “tomorrow” is a market holiday, and today was a half-day
Two timing issues are shaping how investors should interpret the “after the bell” move:
- Christmas Eve is an early close. Major U.S. exchanges closed at 1:00 p.m. ET on Dec. 24. [5]
- Christmas Day is a full market holiday. Markets are closed Dec. 25 and reopen Friday, Dec. 26. [6]
That means:
- Any late headlines can sit in the market for longer than usual (more time for narratives to build).
- Thin trading can exaggerate small price moves.
- Pre-market price discovery on Dec. 26 can be jumpy—especially with weekly options positioning in play.
What was the biggest Walmart-related “news” today?
1) No new earnings or guidance today—but investors are already looking ahead to Feb. 19
Walmart’s next major scheduled catalyst is its FY2026 Q4 earnings release on Feb. 19, 2026 at 7:00 a.m. Central. Walmart says earnings materials will be available around 6:00 a.m. CT, with a live conference call at 7:00 a.m. CT. [7]
Walmart also lists an ICR Conference appearance on Jan. 13, 2026 on its events calendar—often a venue where retailers reinforce strategy, discuss consumer trends, and answer investor questions. [8]
Why it matters for WMT stock: In a quiet tape, investors often “trade the calendar.” With earnings about eight weeks away, incremental analyst notes, channel checks, and consumer data can have outsized impact—especially when valuation is already elevated versus historical norms (more on that below).
2) Walmart’s store hours are in focus—because holiday demand is the story right now
On the consumer side, one widely circulated piece today highlighted that most Walmart locations close early (around 6 p.m. local time) on Christmas Eve, with stores closed on Christmas Day and reopening Dec. 26. [9]
This isn’t “market-moving” by itself—but it reflects what the market is actually trying to answer heading into the last trading days of 2025:
- Did grocery and last-minute general merchandise drive strong traffic?
- Are higher-income shoppers still spending, or is the mix shifting?
- Are promotions pulling demand forward at the expense of margins?
Today’s key analysis: the bull case published Dec. 24 focuses on omnichannel scale and higher-margin engines
A widely read analysis published this morning (via Nasdaq) framed Walmart as the stronger near-term retail “pick” versus Costco, emphasizing Walmart’s omnichannel logistics advantage and its growing pool of higher-margin revenue streams. [10]
Key points from that analysis investors are discussing today:
- Walmart operates more than 10,750 stores worldwide and uses stores as fulfillment hubs, improving same-day delivery economics. [11]
- In Q3 of fiscal 2026, Walmart’s global e-commerce sales grew 27% (U.S. +28%, International +26%). [12]
- The analysis cited that about 35% of U.S. store-fulfilled orders were delivered in under three hours, underscoring speed as a competitive weapon. [13]
- It also argued Walmart is improving “earnings quality” by leaning into higher-margin contributors such as:
- Walmart Connect advertising
- membership income (Walmart+ and Sam’s Club)
- better e-commerce economics
These were described as roughly one-third of consolidated adjusted operating income in the analysis. [14]
What that implies for WMT stock heading into 2026
The market increasingly values Walmart not just as a defensive retailer, but as a retailer-plus-services platform (ads, memberships, fulfillment). That helps explain why many investors tolerate a richer multiple than older “big box” comps—as long as margin expansion and digital growth remain credible.
Forecasts and analyst targets mentioned in today’s coverage
Several of today’s most-shared “forecast” datapoints cluster around earnings expectations and price targets.
Earnings expectations and revisions
The Nasdaq-published analysis cited Zacks consensus expectations calling for year-over-year increases in Walmart’s current fiscal-year sales and EPS, and noted small upward revisions to EPS estimates over the past month. [15]
Price targets and ratings in circulation today
A separate options-focused piece published today flagged that multiple analysts (as summarized in that report) have targets clustered around the $120–$130 range, including references to targets at $130 from firms it named (e.g., Tigress Financial and Wells Fargo) and $117/$120 from Evercore ISI, with an average target cited near $124.25. [16]
MarketBeat’s Walmart page snapshot today also highlighted broad Street optimism (a “moderate buy”/bullish-leaning consensus and a ~$120 target area). [17]
How to use this (without over-trusting it): Price targets are best treated as a sentiment and positioning indicator, not a timetable. What moves the stock around earnings is usually the gap between (1) expectations and (2) what management says about the next quarter and full-year margin trajectory.
The “bear case” that still matters: valuation and headline risk
Even on a calm day, Walmart’s debate tends to revolve around two friction points:
1) Valuation looks demanding versus its own history
The Nasdaq-published analysis stated Walmart’s forward P/E is elevated relative to its median level (while also noting Costco’s own valuation context). [18]
When a stock is priced for consistency, it can be vulnerable to:
- gross margin disappointments (mix, shrink, promotions)
- a slowing consumer
- policy-driven cost shocks (tariffs, wage pressure)
2) Regulatory/legal narratives can reappear suddenly
Recent reporting in retail trade press has also kept regulators in the storyline: Food Dive summarized an FTC-related allegation involving Walmart and PepsiCo pricing advantages tied to a complaint that became public (unsealed). [19]
Separately, a widely circulated Yahoo Finance item (published about a day ago) said shares fell amid reports tied to a lawsuit-related development. [20]
Why this matters before the next open: In thin holiday markets, a single headline—especially about regulation, litigation, or pricing practices—can move a mega-cap defensive name more than usual because fewer traders are at their desks and liquidity is lower.
Options and technical positioning: a “quiet” close doesn’t mean quiet expectations
One of the most notable Walmart-specific reads today wasn’t in the cash market—it was in options activity.
A Benzinga report published on Dec. 24 said its scanner identified 10 unusual options trades, describing overall sentiment as mixed (roughly 40% bullish, 50% bearish) and pointing to notable strike/expiry activity, including contracts expiring Dec. 26, 2025. [21]
It also described how “big players” appeared to be eyeing a price window that topped out around $110 in the observed activity—close to where WMT was trading today. [22]
Why Dec. 26 matters specifically
Because markets are closed Dec. 25, Friday, Dec. 26 becomes the first session after Christmas and also a typical weekly options expiry date—conditions that can amplify:
- dealer hedging flows,
- pinning around popular strikes,
- sharp early moves that fade quickly.
This doesn’t predict direction, but it’s a practical reason to expect more volatility than the calm Dec. 24 close suggests.
What to watch before markets reopen: a practical checklist for WMT investors
Here’s what market participants are most likely to track between now and the next U.S. session (Friday, Dec. 26):
1) Any late-breaking headlines on consumer demand
Holiday traffic and “last-mile” demand patterns can show up quickly in:
- retailer commentary,
- card-spend trackers,
- shipping/logistics updates.
Walmart is often treated as a real-time read on value-oriented consumption, so macro consumer headlines can move WMT even without company-specific news.
2) Margin narratives: groceries vs. general merchandise
Walmart can post strong sales while margins compress—especially if groceries (lower margin) dominate, promotions intensify, or shrink worsens. The market will be sensitive to any read-throughs on mix and profitability.
3) Watch the company calendar (because it’s the next true catalyst)
- Jan. 13, 2026: ICR Conference appearance [23]
- Feb. 19, 2026: FY2026 Q4 Earnings Release (7:00 a.m. CT) [24]
If you see unusually heavy volume or a sharp move on Dec. 26, investors will likely connect it to positioning ahead of those dates.
4) Technical levels traders are likely to reference
With WMT around $111–$112:
- $110 is a psychologically and options-relevant area (recent support zone).
- $115 is a recent pivot area from earlier December trading.
- $117–$118 is the region of the recent 52-week high. [25]
No charts needed—just be aware these are the levels many traders will react to.
5) “Thin tape” effect: don’t over-interpret the first 30 minutes on Dec. 26
Holiday reopen sessions can gap, reverse, and whip because:
- fewer institutions are fully staffed,
- order books are thinner,
- options hedging can dominate fundamental flows.
6) If you’re reading “forecast” headlines, separate numbers from narratives
Today’s major narratives leaned bullish on omnichannel + higher-margin services, while simultaneously acknowledging that Walmart’s valuation is not cheap. [26]
The stock’s next big test is whether results and guidance keep validating that premium.
Bottom line for Walmart stock after the bell on Dec. 24, 2025
Walmart stock (WMT) closed higher today in a shortened session at $111.61, but the more important takeaway is structural:
- The bullish thesis remains centered on omnichannel convenience and higher-margin growth engines like ads and membership, supported by strong e-commerce momentum. [27]
- The cautious thesis remains about valuation and the ever-present risk of policy/regulatory/legal headlines resurfacing. [28]
- With markets closed Dec. 25, the next real “tell” comes Friday, Dec. 26, when liquidity returns (partially) and options positioning can matter more than usual. [29]
If you want, I can also write a tighter “morning briefing” version (300–500 words) designed specifically for mobile Discover cards—using the same verified facts and today’s sources.
References
1. www.marketwatch.com, 2. stockanalysis.com, 3. stockanalysis.com, 4. stockanalysis.com, 5. www.marketwatch.com, 6. www.marketwatch.com, 7. corporate.walmart.com, 8. corporate.walmart.com, 9. people.com, 10. www.nasdaq.com, 11. www.nasdaq.com, 12. www.nasdaq.com, 13. www.nasdaq.com, 14. www.nasdaq.com, 15. www.nasdaq.com, 16. www.benzinga.com, 17. www.marketbeat.com, 18. www.nasdaq.com, 19. www.fooddive.com, 20. finance.yahoo.com, 21. www.benzinga.com, 22. www.benzinga.com, 23. corporate.walmart.com, 24. corporate.walmart.com, 25. stockanalysis.com, 26. www.nasdaq.com, 27. www.nasdaq.com, 28. www.nasdaq.com, 29. www.marketwatch.com
