NEW YORK, Jan 20, 2026, 09:31 EST — Regular session
- Walmart shares gained roughly 0.7% to hit $119.70 in early trading, following their addition to the Nasdaq-100 ahead of the open.
- The gain came despite U.S. stock futures dipping sharply on new tariff headlines.
- Focus turns to Walmart’s quarterly earnings on Feb. 19 and a leadership change set for Feb. 1.
Walmart Inc shares gained 0.7% to $119.70 in early Tuesday trading, holding firm after the retail giant was added to the Nasdaq-100 index before the open. 1
This matters because when indexes shift, passive funds that follow them slavishly have to adjust their holdings. That creates a burst of demand unrelated to the usual business ups and downs.
Risk assets faced a shaky start as Wall Street prepared to open sharply lower. President Donald Trump reignited tariff threats against European countries in connection with his bid for U.S. control of Greenland, sparking a wave of risk aversion. This pushed “fear gauge” measures higher and sent investors scrambling for defensive plays. 2
“We’re seeing the weakness because the headlines stoke angst and worry about what lies ahead,” David Lundgren, chief market strategist at Little Harbor Advisors, told Reuters.
Nasdaq announced earlier this month that Walmart will take AstraZeneca’s spot in the Nasdaq-100 and its related indexes, starting before the market opens on Jan. 20. 3
Investors have also been reacting to a management shakeup ahead of the Feb. 1 leadership handover. “Our people are our greatest competitive advantage,” incoming President and CEO John Furner said in a statement unveiling executive changes that emphasized “AI” as a core focus. 4
Walmart’s stock usually acts as a defensive play in retail, a refuge when growth worries spike. Yet that “safe haven” status can quickly evaporate if economic sentiment shifts or the company issues a less optimistic outlook.
Walmart’s fiscal fourth-quarter report is due Feb. 19, with earnings materials set for release at 6 a.m. Central and a conference call following at 7 a.m. Central, according to the company’s events page. 5
