Arcadia Investment Management Corp has decreased its stake in Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) by 2.8%, according to a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The investment firm sold 1,255 shares, bringing its total holdings to 43,305 shares, valued at approximately $4,234,000 as of the end of the second quarter.
Other institutional investors have also made adjustments to their investments in Walmart. Notably, Brighton Jones LLC increased its stake by 28.8% in the fourth quarter, now owning 98,150 shares valued at $8,868,000 after acquiring an additional 21,939 shares. Similarly, Massachusetts Financial Services Co. raised its holdings by an impressive 134.5% in the first quarter, amassing 363,831 shares worth $31,941,000 after purchasing an additional 1,418,368 shares.
In contrast, Revolve Wealth Partners LLC and Creekmur Asset Management LLC also expanded their positions, with increases of 5.8% and 2.4%, respectively. Currently, institutional investors collectively own 26.76% of Walmart’s stock.
Walmart’s Stock Performance and Earnings Update
Walmart’s stock opened at $102.43 on Friday, displaying a slight decline of 0.1%. The company’s fifty-day moving average stands at $103.40, while the 200-day moving average is $99.70. Walmart boasts a market capitalization of $816.68 billion, with a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 38.51 and a P/E growth (P/E/G) ratio of 4.83. Over the past year, the stock has fluctuated between a low of $79.81 and a high of $109.57.
On August 21, 2023, Walmart released its quarterly earnings, reporting earnings per share (EPS) of $0.68, falling short of analysts’ expectations of $0.74 by $0.06. The company’s revenue for the quarter reached $169.34 billion, which also missed the consensus estimate of $174.02 billion. Compared to the same quarter last year, revenue increased by 4.8%. Walmart has provided guidance for Q3 2026 at an EPS range of 0.580-0.600 and an FY 2026 guidance of 2.520-2.620 EPS, with analysts predicting an average EPS of 2.55 for the current year.
Insider Transactions and Analyst Ratings
In recent insider trading news, Suresh Kumar, Chief Technology Officer, sold 30,000 shares on September 12, 2023, at an average price of $103.47, totaling approximately $3,104,100. This sale reduced his ownership to 1,787,200 shares, valued around $184,921,584. Additionally, John R. Furner, Executive Vice President, sold 13,125 shares on October 16, 2023, for about $1,414,612.50, bringing his total ownership to 892,940 shares, worth approximately $96,241,073.20.
Over the past ninety days, insiders have sold a total of 149,383 shares valued at $15,365,487. Currently, company insiders hold only 0.10% of Walmart’s stock.
Analysts have reacted positively to Walmart’s performance, with several firms adjusting their price targets. Tigress Financial raised its target from $120.00 to $125.00 and maintained a “buy” rating. Meanwhile, Sanford C. Bernstein set a target price of $117.00, also rating the stock as “outperform.” The consensus rating among thirty-two analysts is “Moderate Buy,” with an average target price of $113.50.
Walmart continues to play a significant role in global retail, operating through various segments, including Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sam’s Club, along with a robust e-commerce presence. As institutional investors navigate their positions, Walmart remains a focus for analysts and investors alike, reflecting its ongoing importance in the retail sector.
