Walmart Inc. (WMT)

Walmart's stock has shown strong performance, reaching all-time highs in September and October 2025. On August 21, 2025, Walmart's stock price declined by 4.5% following the release of its mixed Q2 results. On October 14, 2025, shares jumped 3.7% after Walmart announced a partnership with OpenAI to create AI-first shopping experiences. On October 24, 2025, Walmart paused all job offers to candidates requiring H-1B visas due to a newly imposed fee.

Demand for Walmart's products and services exhibits clear seasonality, with a surge before the start of classes and during the holiday shopping season. The holiday season is a major event for the retail industry, and Walmart actively prepares for these seasonal demand increases.

Walmart Inc. is a multinational retail corporation operating hypermarkets, discount department stores, and grocery stores, founded in 1962 and headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas. The company's business model centers on offering a wide assortment of merchandise and services at everyday low prices, operating through three segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sam's Club. Walmart offers a vast array of products, including groceries, general merchandise, apparel, housewares, electronics, and pharmaceutical products, and has a growing e-commerce presence and digital initiatives.

As of fiscal year 2025, Walmart operates over 10,750 stores and clubs across 19 countries, employing approximately 2.1 million associates worldwide. Its international operations are concentrated in countries such as Canada, Chile, China, India, Mexico, Central America, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. Approximately 90% of the U.S. population lives within 10 miles of a Walmart store.

Walmart generally maintains a reputation for resilience and strategic prowess, often seen as a safe investment. In late 2024, Walmart faced criticism for its DEI policies and committed to scaling back some initiatives. In October 2025, Walmart's decision to pause job offers to candidates requiring H-1B visas generated controversy.

Walmart is a publicly traded company, but the Walton family retains significant control, owning about 45% of the company. Major institutional owners include Walton Enterprises LLC, Walton Family Holdings Trust, Vanguard Group Inc., and BlackRock, Inc. Key individual shareholders include Jim Walton, Alice Walton, and S. Robson Walton.