Walmart Stock Is Up 40% Over the Past Year. Here’s What the Market Is Pricing In Now

Rexielyn Diaz6 minute read
Reviewed by: David Hanson
Last updated Mar 30, 2026

Key Stats for Walmart Stock

  • Past week’s performance: +1.8%
  • 52-week range: $80 to $135
  • Valuation model target price: $147
  • Implied upside: 19.4% over 2.8 years

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What Happened?

Walmart (WMT) stock held up well this week, even as the broader market stayed volatile. Investors were looking for defensive businesses, and Walmart still fits that profile because grocery traffic is steadier than many discretionary retail categories. That mattered as Reuters reported that the S&P 500 had fallen nearly 4% since the Iran war began, while oil prices surged more than 30% and inflation worries returned.

The company also stayed relevant because the retail backdrop was still healthy. U.S. Easter spending is expected to reach a record $24.9 billion in 2026, up 5.5% from last year. For a retailer with huge grocery, general merchandise, and seasonal exposure, that supports the idea that consumer demand has not broken down.

At the same time, investors were also watching competition in delivery. Reuters reported that FedEx launched a same-day delivery service with OneRail, while Amazon, Walmart, and Target are all expanding same- and next-day delivery options.

There was also some attention on insider activity late in the week. A March 10 Walmart filing said Doug McMillon adopted a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, and a March 26 Form 4 showed a sale under that plan. Those filings do not point to a change in Walmart’s operations, but they can still affect sentiment when a stock is trading close to its highs.

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Is Walmart Stock Undervalued?

WMT Guided Valuation Model (TIKR)

Under valuation model assumptions realized through 12/31/28, the stock is modeled using:

  • Revenue growth (CAGR): 5%
  • Operating Margins: 4.4%
  • Exit P/E Multiple: 42x

Based on these inputs, the model estimates a target price of $147, implying a 19.4% total return from the current share price and a 6.4% annualized return over the next 2.8 years.

That setup suggests Walmart looks solid, but not obviously cheap. A 6.4% annualized return is below the 10% level many long-term investors usually want. The bigger issue is that the model still assumes a 42.0x exit P/E, which is above Walmart’s 5-year historical P/E of 27.6x and its 10-year historical P/E of 24.1x from the valuation model you provided.

The business fundamentals help explain why the market is willing to pay up. Walmart generated $713.2 billion in revenue in fiscal 2026, up 4.7%, while operating income rose to $29.8 billion and diluted EPS increased 13.3% to $2.73. The company also produced $41.6 billion of operating cash flow and $14.9 billion of free cash flow, which gives it room for dividends, buybacks, and supply chain investment.

WMT Revenues and Operating Income (TIKR)

Walmart’s profit mix is also improving. In its fiscal fourth-quarter release, the company said global e-commerce grew 24%, while revenue from higher-margin businesses like advertising and membership income also increased. That helps explain why investors are assigning Walmart a richer multiple than a traditional low-growth retailer.

Still, valuation leaves less room for error. Walmart’s forward valuation in your overview shows about 42.1x NTM P/E and 21.3x NTM EV/EBITDA, while its operating margin is only 4.2%. So the stock can justify a premium only if it keeps growing digital revenue, protecting margins, and taking share from weaker rivals.

What’s Driving the Walmart Stock Going Forward?

The next big catalyst is Walmart’s expected Q1 2027 report on May 14. Investors will want to see whether sales growth stays steady after fiscal 2026 revenue rose 4.7%. They will also watch operating income closely because small margin gains matter a lot in a business this large.

Management’s recent commentary is still shaping the story. On the February earnings call, Doug McMillon said Walmart is gaining market share and has momentum in marketplace, advertising, and membership. Those businesses matter because they usually carry better margins than core retail sales, so they can lift earnings faster than revenue over time.

Execution in fulfillment is another key driver. Walmart continues to benefit from its large store base, but Reuters’ report on FedEx’s same-day push shows the race is getting more intense. If Walmart keeps improving delivery speed and order economics, that should help defend market share and support its premium valuation.

Macro conditions still matter too. Reuters reported that March consumer sentiment fell to a three-month low as higher oil prices raised inflation concerns, and that could pressure discretionary spending if fuel prices stay high. Even so, Walmart often holds up better than many retailers in tougher environments because its value positioning can attract cost-conscious shoppers.

Walmart also has several near-term events that could move the stock. The company is scheduled to present at the Citadel Securities Retail & Consumer Conference on April 7, and the J.P. Morgan Retail Round Up Forum on April 8, and Walmart said a transcript of the April 8 session will be archived on its website. Investors will listen for any fresh commentary on consumer spending, delivery economics, and the path to fiscal 2027 growth.

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Should You Invest in Walmart Inc.?

The only way to really know is to look at the numbers yourself. TIKR gives you free access to the same institutional-quality financial data that professional analysts use to answer exactly that question.

Pull up WMT, and you’ll see years of historical financials, what Wall Street analysts expect for revenue and earnings in the quarters ahead, how valuation multiples have moved over time, and whether price targets are trending up or down.

You can build a free watchlist to track WMT alongside every other stock on your radar. No credit card required. Just the data you need to decide for yourself.

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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!

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