Walmart (NYSE:WMT) Shares Rise 0.7% – Is It Time to Invest?

Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) saw its share price increase by 0.7% during trading on Wednesday. The stock peaked at $92.25 before closing at $91.94. During mid-day trading, around 3,295,722 shares were exchanged, which is significantly lower than the average daily volume of 16,856,260 shares. The previous closing price for the stock was set at $91.31.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have recently provided updates regarding Walmart's stock. For instance, Telsey Advisory Group raised its price target for Walmart from $92.00 to $100.00, maintaining an "outperform" rating. Similarly, JPMorgan Chase & Co. updated their price target from $81.00 to $83.00, assigning an "overweight" rating. Royal Bank of Canada also increased its target price from $88.00 to $92.00, giving the stock an "overweight" rating. Moreover, Goldman Sachs revised its target price from $73.00 to $81.00, with a "buy" rating. Lastly, Piper Sandler raised its estimate from $83.00 to $93.00, awarding the stock an "overweight" rating. Currently, two analysts have a hold rating, twenty-nine have designated a buy rating, and one gives a strong buy rating. Overall, Walmart holds an average rating of "Moderate Buy" based on consensus data, with a target price of $91.88.

Walmart Stock Performance

The company's fifty-day moving average stands at $82.55, while its two-hundred-day moving average is $74.36. Walmart enjoys a market capitalization of $738.47 billion, with a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.73 and a PEG ratio of 4.25. Its debt-to-equity ratio is recorded at 0.56, while the quick ratio and current ratio are at 0.23 and 0.85, respectively.

In its most recent quarterly earnings report announced on November 19th, Walmart posted earnings of $0.58 per share, exceeding analysts' expectations of $0.53 by $0.05. This quarter, Walmart reported a revenue of $169.59 billion, surpassing the consensus estimate of $167.69 billion. A year ago, Walmart's earnings per share were $0.51, indicating a 5.5% year-over-year growth in revenue. Analysts expect Walmart to achieve earnings of 2.47 per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

Recently, there have been notable insider sales at Walmart. Major shareholder Alice L. Walton sold 2,709,163 shares on September 3rd at an average price of $77.37, totalling over $209 million. After this transaction, she retains 630,501,148 shares valued at approximately $48.78 billion, reflecting a 0.43% decrease in her ownership stake. In another significant transaction, major shareholder S Robson Walton sold 4,057,369 shares at an average price of $77.20 on September 9th for $313 million, reducing his ownership by 0.66%. In total, insiders have sold 12,337,337 shares worth roughly $958 million over the past three months, indicating that corporate insiders own about 45.58% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Walmart

Several institutional investors have recently adjusted their holdings of Walmart shares. For instance, Summit Financial Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake by 0.5%, owning 23,720 shares post-acquisition. Providence Wealth Advisors LLC also grew its position by 0.3%. Other investors such as 3Chopt Investment Partners LLC and CAP Partners LLC have similarly increased their ownership, showcasing continued interest in Walmart's stock. Currently, institutional investors hold approximately 26.76% of the company's shares.

About Walmart

Walmart Inc. operates as a leading retailer with a presence in retail, wholesale, and eCommerce around the world. The company serves customers through various segments, including Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sam's Club, operating supercenters, supermarkets, hypermarkets, and eCommerce platforms among other formats.

Investment Considerations

Before considering an investment in Walmart, it's crucial to evaluate the analysts' perspectives and the overall market sentiment regarding the stock. Some research analysts have indicated that there are other stocks that may represent better investment opportunities at this time. Investors are encouraged to analyze potential alternatives and consider their financial goals before making investment decisions about Walmart.

Walmart, Stocks, Investment