Walmart Stock (WMT) in December 2025: Nasdaq Debut, Tech Ambitions, and What Comes Next
Walmart Stock WMT in December 2025: Nasdaq Debut, Tech Ambitions, and What Comes Next
Walmart’s Stock Near Record Highs
As of December 10, 2025, Walmart stock trades around $115 per share, placing it near the top of its 52-week range (roughly $79.8 to $116.3). The stock is up more than 20% over the past year, reflecting strong financial performance and growing confidence in Walmart’s repositioning as a tech-driven retailer rather than a classic big-box chain.
With the stock already pricing in much of this momentum, analysts suggest that future gains will depend heavily on Walmart’s ability to execute on technology integration, automation, and margin expansion—not just its traditional strength in consumer staples.
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A Historic Move: Walmart Leaves NYSE for Nasdaq
On December 9, 2025, Walmart officially began trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market after 53 years on the NYSE—the largest stock-exchange transfer by market value in history. Its market capitalization sits near $917 billion, ranking it among the world’s most valuable companies.
The switch is widely interpreted as a symbolic and strategic move. Walmart wants investors to see it as a tech-enabled omnichannel powerhouse, aligning itself with Nasdaq’s innovation-heavy roster. Commentaries from both sources highlight that the transfer:
strengthens Walmart’s tech-forward identity,
aligns the company with investor groups that track technology and growth stocks,
may open pathways to inclusion in Nasdaq-weighted indices, potentially attracting passive and quant-driven capital flows.
While the exchange change does not affect fundamentals directly, it reflects the image Walmart wants: more tech platform, less legacy retail.
Holiday 2025: A Showcase of Walmart’s Delivery Power
Walmart is using the 2025 holiday season to prove the scalability of its AI-enhanced delivery network.
Between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Walmart recorded:
57% more orders delivered from stores (year over year)
44% more orders delivered in under three hours
a fastest delivery time of just 10 minutes, achieved in Utah
Walmart also extended one-hour Express Delivery on Christmas Eve to 5 p.m. local time, a bold move supported by its ability to reach about 95% of U.S. households within three hours. Express Delivery usage is 2.5 times higher in December than the rest of the year.
A new “Get it Now” app feature provides real-time delivery estimates and simple one-tap ordering—another example of Walmart integrating AI into everyday operations.
Q3 FY26: Strong Earnings Fueled by E-Commerce
Walmart’s latest earnings report (Q3 FY26, quarter ending October 31, 2025) delivered across the board:
U.S. comparable sales: +4.5%
Total revenue: $179.5 billion, ahead of forecasts
Online sales: +28%
Raised full-year sales and EPS guidance
Walmart emphasized growing traction among higher-income shoppers and robust demand for fast-delivery services—“expedited deliveries” under three hours climbed about 70%.
However, the company also noted ongoing pressure on lower-income consumers due to inflation and a softening job market. This is seen as one of the key risk factors heading into 2026.
Automation, AI, and Supply-Chain Transformation
Walmart’s long-term strategy increasingly revolves around automation and data-driven logistics.
Scaling Automation
More than 60% of U.S. stores receive freight from automated distribution centers.
Over half of e-commerce fulfillment volume flows through automated systems.
Automated facilities are reported to be roughly twice as productive as older centers.
Shipping costs have dropped in the 30% range thanks to automation.
Ambient IoT and Inventory Intelligence
Walmart is deploying millions of ambient IoT sensors from Wiliot—one of the most expansive rollouts in retail history. By 2026, sensors will operate across more than 4,600 stores and 40 distribution centers, offering real-time readings of temperature, location, and dwell time. This helps reduce waste, cut stockouts, and boost supply-chain efficiency.
Vertical Integration: A New Milk Plant
In December 2025, Walmart opened a $350 million milk processing plant in Valdosta, Georgia. The facility:
spans 300,000+ square feet
creates 400+ jobs
supplies over 650 Walmart and Sam’s Club stores
This move is part of Walmart’s broader push toward food supply-chain control, which is expected to improve quality and reduce volatility—though it requires significant upfront capital investments.
Leadership Shift: John Furner to Become CEO in 2026
CEO Doug McMillon will step down on January 31, 2026, with John Furner—current head of Walmart U.S.—taking over on February 1.
Analysts view this transition as an evolution rather than a shift in strategy. Furner is known for his work in digital innovation and merchandising, and he is expected to continue Walmart’s AI-driven, automation-focused transformation.
How Analysts View Walmart Stock
Across major analyst platforms, Walmart is broadly rated as a Buy or Strong Buy, with 12-month price targets generally clustered between $118 and $123, and some reaching as high as $136.
However—views differ on valuation.
Some independent analyses argue that Walmart’s pricing already reflects high expectations:
Fair-value estimates range widely (approx. $91–$118), indicating mixed perspectives.
A DCF-based model places intrinsic value near $112.95, slightly below current levels.
Media commentary notes that Walmart’s price-to-earnings ratio resembles that of a high-growth tech stock, raising questions about sustainability.
This contrast shows a split between traditional fundamentals and enthusiasm for Walmart’s tech ambitions.
What to Watch Heading Into 2026
Key factors likely to influence the stock’s performance include:
Holiday quarter results and whether strong early trends hold
Margin improvements as automation and IoT scale
Index effects following the Nasdaq transfer
John Furner’s first moves as CEO
Macroeconomic conditions affecting lower-income shoppers
These elements will determine whether Walmart continues earning its emerging “retail-plus-tech” valuation premium.
Conclusion
Walmart enters 2026 at a pivotal moment: newly listed on Nasdaq, energized by record-fast logistics, and pushing aggressively into AI-powered retail. The company is proving that a legacy retailer can reinvent itself on a massive scale—leveraging automation, omnichannel integration, and vertical supply-chain investments to redefine what retail leadership looks like.
Yet the future hinges on balance. While early results are promising, the market expects Walmart to perform not only as a dependable retailer but also as a technology innovator. If Walmart delivers on that vision, it could set a new industry standard—and perhaps redefine what a modern blue-chip company can be.
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