Candriam S.C.A. Cuts Stake in Walmart Inc. $WMT

Candriam S.C.A. lessened its stake in shares of Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) by 2.6% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 709,945 shares of the retailer’s stock after selling 19,055 shares during the quarter. Candriam S.C.A.’s holdings in Walmart were worth $69,421,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey raised its holdings in shares of Walmart by 4.6% during the 2nd quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey now owns 660,759 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $64,609,000 after buying an additional 28,769 shares during the period. Horrell Capital Management Inc. grew its position in Walmart by 2.4% in the second quarter. Horrell Capital Management Inc. now owns 89,213 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $8,723,000 after acquiring an additional 2,091 shares in the last quarter. Austin Wealth Management LLC grew its position in Walmart by 6.2% in the second quarter. Austin Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,774 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $468,000 after acquiring an additional 280 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Walmart by 0.3% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 94,557,532 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $9,199,712,000 after purchasing an additional 263,718 shares during the period. Finally, Maple Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Walmart by 3.6% during the second quarter. Maple Capital Management Inc. now owns 6,707 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $656,000 after purchasing an additional 234 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 26.76% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity

In other Walmart news, EVP Daniel J. Bartlett sold 1,550 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $107.46, for a total value of $166,563.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 644,418 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $69,249,158.28. This trade represents a 0.24% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, EVP John D. Rainey sold 2,200 shares of Walmart stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $101.18, for a total value of $222,596.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 619,518 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $62,682,831.24. The trade was a 0.35% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold 151,038 shares of company stock valued at $15,531,616 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.

Walmart Trading Up 0.0%

Shares of NYSE WMT opened at $103.47 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $103.33 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $99.63. Walmart Inc. has a 52-week low of $79.81 and a 52-week high of $109.57. The stock has a market capitalization of $824.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.90, a PEG ratio of 4.83 and a beta of 0.67.

Walmart (NYSE:WMT) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 21st. The retailer reported $0.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.74 by ($0.06). Walmart had a return on equity of 21.45% and a net margin of 3.08%.The firm had revenue of $169.34 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $174.02 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.67 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 4.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Walmart has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 0.580-0.600 EPS. FY 2026 guidance at 2.520-2.620 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Walmart Inc. will post 2.55 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms recently weighed in on WMT. Sanford C. Bernstein set a $117.00 price target on shares of Walmart and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, August 22nd. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $116.00 price objective on shares of Walmart and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on Walmart from $127.00 to $128.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Walmart from $108.00 to $110.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday. Finally, BTIG Research started coverage on Walmart in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. They set a “buy” rating and a $120.00 price objective for the company. Thirty-two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Walmart has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $113.50.

Walmart Company Profile

Walmart Inc engages in the operation of retail, wholesale, other units, and eCommerce worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sam's Club. It operates supercenters, supermarkets, hypermarkets, warehouse clubs, cash and carry stores, and discount stores under Walmart and Walmart Neighborhood Market brands; membership-only warehouse clubs; ecommerce websites, such as walmart.com.mx, walmart.ca, flipkart.com, PhonePe and other sites; and mobile commerce applications.