New York, Feb 4, 2026, 11:13 (EST) — Regular session
- Walmart shares ticked up 0.4% in late-morning trading, building on gains from the past two sessions.
- The retailer surpassed a $1 trillion market cap in the previous session.
- Investors are turning their attention to Walmart’s results due Feb. 19, along with upcoming retail sector signals.
Walmart (WMT) shares crept up Wednesday, staying close to all-time highs just a day after the company hit a $1 trillion market cap — the first traditional retailer to do so. By 11:13 a.m. EST, the stock was up 0.4% at $128.18, following gains of 2.9% on Tuesday and 4.1% on Monday, according to data.
This shift is significant as Walmart transitions from a defensive, slow-growth staple into a stock driven by execution. With a higher valuation comes increased scrutiny, particularly as investors begin to question what the next phase of growth will be—and what risks could derail it.
Walmart plans to release its fiscal fourth-quarter results on Feb. 19, with earnings details expected by 6 a.m. Central, followed by a conference call at 7 a.m. Central, according to the company’s events page. Investors will focus on U.S. same-store sales—tracking sales at stores open at least a year—alongside updates on online growth and profit margins.
Walmart’s surge comes on the back of faster delivery, an expanded online marketplace, and a booming advertising arm that’s boosting profits, Reuters reported Tuesday. The retail giant has invested billions in supply-chain automation and AI technologies. Data from LSEG reveals Walmart has topped U.S. same-store sales expectations for 15 straight quarters. “It really is a remarkable accomplishment,” said Walmart investor Charles Sizemore. Louis Navellier, chief investment officer at Navellier & Associates, predicts the company will “approach” a $2 trillion market cap within a few years. Reuters
Leadership shifts remain a key near-term factor. An 8-K amendment revealed John Furner took over as president and CEO starting Feb. 1, with compensation adjustments reflecting his new position.
Grocery and delivery competition is tightening, even for Walmart with its massive scale. Amazon is placing a big bet on a 225,000-square-foot store near Chicago that will double as a same-day distribution center. Analysts forecast Amazon’s physical-store revenue to climb 5.4% to $5.9 billion in the fourth quarter, according to LSEG estimates ahead of Thursday’s earnings. “Amazon knows that it needs to win in grocery,” said seller consultant Martin Heubel. S&P Global’s Bea Chiem added it will take time for Amazon to close the gap. Reuters
Amazon shares slipped roughly 0.9% in late morning trading. At the same time, Costco edged up about 0.9%, and Target climbed around 2.4%.
The rally has squeezed any margin for error. According to StockAnalysis.com, Walmart’s forward price-to-earnings ratio now sits in the mid-40s—a valuation that could sharply amplify any slip in sales, margins, or forecasts.
Walmart’s jump stands out amid the choppy trading in AI-related stocks. The Nasdaq dropped 1.43% Tuesday, weighed down by fears of AI-driven disruption. Art Hogan, chief market strategist at B. Riley Wealth, noted investors are keeping an eye on “companies that may well be disrupted” as AI evolves. Despite that, Walmart gained roughly 3% that day, even as the S&P 500 slid 0.84%, Reuters reported. Reuters
Walmart faces its next major checkpoint on Feb. 19, with earnings and guidance for the coming year due. Investors will also turn to Amazon’s report on Thursday for insights into grocery trends and delivery costs.
