New York, Jan 21, 2026, 17:19 EST — After-hours
Walmart Inc. shares (WMT) ticked up roughly 0.6% to $119.36 in after-hours trading Wednesday, following a session where the stock fluctuated between $117.56 and $120.46. Trading volume reached around 34.8 million shares by the latest update.
Walmart’s spotlighted Indian payments firm PhonePe has quietly secured regulatory clearance for an IPO, Reuters reported Tuesday. The company filed confidentially for a stock market debut in September, marking its first public sale of shares. For Walmart, this move could clarify the valuation of its significant private stake and potentially pave the way for a partial share sale. According to the report, some existing shareholders may sell stock in the offering.
Stocks climbed broadly on Wednesday, buoyed by a risk-on mood in U.S. markets after President Donald Trump announced a framework deal on Greenland and scrapped planned tariffs set for Feb. 1, Reuters reported. “The real economic impact hinges on whether we start slapping tariffs on each other,” Jason Pride, head of investment strategy and research at Glenmede, told Reuters as the S&P 500 rose 1.16%. Reuters
Walmart began trading within the Nasdaq-100 on Tuesday, per a Nasdaq statement released earlier this month. Since many index funds follow the Nasdaq-100, this can trigger technical buying once a stock gets added.
Walmart Marketplace unveiled a “Premium Musical Instrument Shop” on Tuesday, focusing on branded, higher-priced items to boost its third-party platform. “This launch represents a major milestone in expanding our Marketplace into premium categories,” said Manish Joneja, senior vice president of Walmart Marketplace and Walmart Fulfillment Services. Walmart News
Walmart outpaced Target on the day, with Target slipping roughly 3.0% during the regular session. Meanwhile, Costco climbed about 1.9%, and Amazon crept up 0.1%, according to MarketWatch data. Retail investors quickly drew a line between the more stable players and those vulnerable to discretionary spending cuts.
The move in Walmart remained modest. Seen as a defensive play, the stock carries high expectations, and any hint of weaker traffic or increased price cuts could quickly change sentiment.
PhonePe remains a key variable. Securing regulatory approval is just one step, far from the final word. When and how big the IPO will be depends heavily on market mood and valuation expectations.
Walmart will undergo a leadership transition on Feb. 1, with John Furner stepping in as CEO to replace Doug McMillon, following a wider management reshuffle.
Traders will be keeping an eye on whether Wednesday’s gains stick in the next session, along with any new developments on the PhonePe deal that could clarify Walmart’s stake or outline a planned sell-down.
Walmart’s next major date is Feb. 19, according to its events calendar, when it plans to announce fiscal fourth-quarter results and hold a conference call.
Related articles: NASDAQ:COST
