Key Stats for Walmart Stock
- Price Change for Walmart stock: -0.06%
- $WMT Share Price as of Nov. 14: $102
- 52-Week High: $110
- $WMT Stock Price Target: $114
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What Happened?
Walmart (WMT) stock fell marginally on Friday following the surprise announcement that CEO Doug McMillon will retire early next year after more than a decade leading the retail giant.
McMillon, 59, will step down on January 31, 2026, and will be succeeded by John Furner, the current CEO of Walmart U.S., who has overseen more than 4,600 stores since 2019.
McMillon has led the company since February 2014, navigating it through the COVID pandemic, supply chain disruptions, high inflation, and multiple tariff changes.
Under his leadership, WMT stock has surged over 300%, transforming the traditional brick-and-mortar giant into an e-commerce powerhouse that now competes head-to-head with Amazon.
Furner, 51, started at Walmart in 1993 as an hourly associate and has climbed the ranks over three decades, serving in merchandising and operations roles across all three of the company’s operating segments.
He previously served as CEO of Sam’s Club before assuming the role of CEO of Walmart U.S. His career trajectory mirrors McMillon’s own path from hourly worker to CEO.
“After starting as an hourly associate and being with us for over 30 years in a variety of leadership roles across all three of our operating segments, John understands every dimension of our business—from the sales floor to global strategy,” said Walmart chairman Greg Penner in a statement.
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What the Market Is Telling Us About WMT Stock
The muted reaction to WMT stock suggests investors view the transition as orderly and are comfortable with the continuity Furner represents.
Leadership transitions at massive companies like Walmart can create uncertainty, but Furner’s deep institutional knowledge and proven track record running the company’s largest division provide reassurance.
McMillon’s legacy centers on successfully pivoting Walmart’s business model for the digital age. His most controversial decision—the $3.3 billion acquisition of e-commerce startup Jet.com in 2016—was met with heavy skepticism at the time.
Critics questioned whether Walmart overpaid for an unproven asset. But McMillon later credited the deal for “jump-starting the progress we have made the last few years” in digital growth, curbside pickup, and delivery capabilities.
The Jet.com acquisition brought digital talent into Walmart, particularly founder Marc Lore, who had previously sold Diapers.com’s parent company, Quidsi, to Amazon.
Though Walmart shuttered Jet.com in 2020 and sold off digital brands like Bonobos, the acquisition provided crucial e-commerce expertise that reshaped the company’s strategy.
Today, Walmart’s e-commerce business is thriving. The company launched Walmart+ in 2020 as its response to Amazon Prime and has steadily added perks, including Paramount+ streaming.
The third-party marketplace has experienced significant growth, with Walmart facilitating easier access for independent sellers to join the platform and offer a broader range of products. This model generates high-margin revenue from advertising and fulfillment services to sellers.
Recent investor presentations highlighted the strength of Walmart’s digital transformation. The company reported 26% e-commerce growth in Q2, with online sales now accounting for approximately 20% of total U.S. revenue.
Walmart can deliver to 95% of U.S. households in three hours or less, with 25% of fast deliveries now arriving in 30 minutes or less.
The advertising business under Walmart Connect has become a key growth driver, with the company reporting $4.4 billion in ad revenue last quarter, representing a 31% year-over-year increase (47% including VIZIO globally).
The December 2024 acquisition of VIZIO for $2.3 billion provides Walmart with a powerful connected TV advertising platform, featuring first-party viewing data from millions of households.
For WMT stock going forward, Furner faces opportunities and challenges. The company continues to win market share from competitors and attract higher-income shoppers.
Sam’s Club is experiencing strong momentum with double-digit e-commerce growth and successful new club openings. The automation of fulfillment centers and supply chain modernization should drive margin expansion over time.
While tariff uncertainty remains a concern, though, Walmart’s scale and curated assortment give it negotiating leverage.
The company also faces ongoing criticism about employee wages despite multiple pay increases under McMillon. And AI-driven workforce changes loom large, with McMillon recently stating AI “is going to change literally every job.”
McMillon acknowledged this in his statement, saying Furner is “uniquely capable of leading the company through this next AI-driven transformation.”
With Furner’s operational expertise and over 30 years of institutional knowledge, WMT stock appears well-positioned for continued growth under new leadership.
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Disclaimer:
Please note that the articles on TIKR are not intended to serve as investment or financial advice from TIKR or our content team, nor are they recommendations to buy or sell any stocks. We create our content based on TIKR Terminal’s investment data and analysts’ estimates. Our analysis might not include recent company news or important updates. TIKR has no position in any stocks mentioned. Thank you for reading, and happy investing!
