Image Source:Mike Mozart, Flickr
 

Walmart Inc. (WMT) reached a historic milestone on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, as its market capitalization surpassed $1 trillion for the first time. The Arkansas-based retail giant joins an exclusive group of just ten U.S. public companies valued above this threshold, a club previously dominated almost entirely by technology firms.

This achievement caps a remarkable two-year rally in which Walmart shares have more than doubled, significantly outpacing the broader S&P 500 index. The milestone comes during the first week of leadership under new CEO John Furner, who succeeded Doug McMillon after more than a decade at the helm.

Historic Milestone Achieved Under New Leadership
 

As of 10:19 AM EST on February 3, 2026, Walmart stock was trading at $126.07, up $2.01 or 1.62% for the day, with an intraday high of $126.00. The company’s market capitalization stood at $1.004 trillion, marking its entry into an elite group that includes tech giants Nvidia ($4.5 trillion), Apple, Microsoft, Amazon ($2.6 trillion), Alphabet, Broadcom, and fellow non-tech member Berkshire Hathaway.

The timing is particularly notable as it occurred during CEO John Furner’s first week leading the company, following Doug McMillon’s retirement after more than a decade as chief executive.

Walmart’s valuation surge reflects investor confidence in the company’s transformation from a traditional brick-and-mortar retailer into a digital commerce powerhouse. The company has invested tens of billions of dollars developing an e-commerce operation that now credibly competes with Amazon, though its market cap remains well below Amazon’s $2.6 trillion valuation.

Founded by Sam Walton with a single store in 1962, Walmart has expanded to nearly 11,000 stores worldwide and analysts forecast annual revenue will top $700 billion when the company reports earnings on February 19, 2026.

The stock’s performance has been exceptional across multiple timeframes. Year-to-date, WMT has returned 12.98% compared to just 1.40% for the S&P 500. Over the past year, shares gained 27.66% versus 15.79% for the benchmark index, while the three-year return stands at an impressive 176.40%.

The 52-week trading range extends from $79.81 to $126.00, with the stock currently near its all-time high. Analysts maintain bullish sentiment, with the consensus recommendation tilted toward “Buy” and an average price target of $124.28, though some analysts have set targets as high as $145.

E-Commerce and AI Strategy Drive Investor Confidence
 

Walmart’s achievement reflects more than just strong financial performance, it demonstrates successful strategic positioning in key growth areas. In October 2025, the company partnered with OpenAI to enable shopping through ChatGPT, positioning itself “at the forefront of AI-driven retail transformation rather than being disrupted by it,” according to Morgan Stanley analysts.

New CEO John Furner has been particularly vocal about further investments in automation and artificial intelligence, signaling the company’s commitment to technological innovation. In a symbolic move reflecting this digital focus, Walmart recently switched its stock listing to the Nasdaq exchange and joined the tech-heavy Nasdaq-100 index, attracting passive funds that track the benchmark.zf

The company’s valuation metrics reflect investor optimism about future growth. With a trailing P/E ratio of 43.86 and forward P/E of 39.22, Walmart trades at a premium to historical levels, indicating high expectations for continued performance.

The company posted earnings per share of $2.87 (TTM) with a profit margin of 3.26% and return on equity of 23.66%. Analysts upgraded the stock with price targets as high as $135, citing leadership changes and expansion of health and wellness services.

However, the company faces challenges including tariffs imposed during President Trump’s administration. Jefferies estimates Walmart and suppliers absorb about two-thirds of tariff costs while passing one-third to consumers, resulting in 7% to 7.5% price increases on general merchandise.

The milestone significantly increases the wealth of the Walton family, Walmart’s largest shareholder with a 44% aggregate stake now worth approximately $443 billion. David Schick of Optimal Advisory attributes Walmart’s success to its “mix of labor, sourcing and technology” and willingness to invest “during uncertain times” while competing with “formidable” rivals including Amazon and Costco.

With strong momentum, analyst support, and strategic initiatives in place, Walmart appears well-positioned to maintain its position among America’s most valuable companies, though it remains to be seen whether the stock can sustain its premium valuation as competition intensifies and macroeconomic headwinds persist.

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