NEW YORK, Jan 21, 2026, 11:16 AM EST — Regular session
- Walmart’s inclusion in the Nasdaq-100 means index funds will need to jump in.
- Retail supply chains grabbed attention again after Trump brought back tariff threats linked to Greenland.
- Traders are focused on Feb. 1 for tariffs and Walmart’s Feb. 19 earnings as upcoming catalysts.
Walmart Inc. shares edged down 0.2% to $118.42 in late-morning trading Wednesday, following its debut in the Nasdaq-100. Amazon ticked up 0.3%, Costco gained 1.0%, while Target dipped 0.5%. Walmart’s intraday range was $117.56 to $118.76, on volume near 11.3 million shares.
The timing is crucial as Nasdaq’s reshuffle obliges index-tracking funds to buy shares, driven purely by rules, not earnings or sales. Walmart joined the Nasdaq-100 before Tuesday’s open, taking AstraZeneca’s spot. (Nasdaq)
The potential bid arrives as markets remain on edge over trade policy. Trump has threatened to impose tariffs starting at 10% on Feb. 1, climbing to 25% by June 1, targeting goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, and Britain, Reuters reported. “Global investors are taking these threats seriously,” said Jack Ablin, chief investment strategist at Cresset Capital, following Tuesday’s broad selloff. (Reuters)
Retailers are flagging price pressure in certain areas. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy told CNBC he’s “(starting) to see some of the tariffs creep into some prices” as sellers begin passing higher costs on to shoppers. (Reuters)
Walmart faces a tough balancing act: its staples tend to weather shoppers trading down, but general merchandise sales are more sensitive to shifting costs and demand. Should tariffs remain, suppliers will feel the pinch, making it tougher to keep the “everyday low price” promise.
Adding a stock to the Nasdaq-100 can provide a slight boost, though most positioning occurs ahead of the official date. Once the rebalance passes, the share typically reverts to its core influences — consumer demand, freight expenses, and the latest from Washington.
Bulls face a clear risk: tariff threats becoming actual policy, driving up costs just as consumers tighten spending on discretionary items. A chaotic retaliation cycle would only deepen uncertainty for retailers scrambling to manage promotions and inventory.
Walmart isn’t a straightforward trade-war proxy, yet it’s far from immune. Its supply chain moves through the same ports as competitors, and when shoppers tighten their belts, price differences hit harder.
The next key date on trade is Feb. 1, when Trump plans to slap the initial 10% tariff. Any sign of a narrower scope, a delay, or an escalation could send the sector moving fast.
Walmart’s next major event is its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings report on Feb. 19. The company will release results and hold a conference call at 7 a.m. Central. Investors will focus on margins and watch closely for any initial insights on tariff-driven expenses. (Walmart News & Leadership)
