Anchor Investment Management LLC Sells 4,851 Shares of Walmart Inc. $WMT

Anchor Investment Management LLC lowered its position in Walmart Inc. (NASDAQ:WMT) by 6.6% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 68,779 shares of the retailer’s stock after selling 4,851 shares during the quarter. Anchor Investment Management LLC’s holdings in Walmart were worth $7,790,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Bank of America Corp DE bought a new position in Walmart during the second quarter worth about $7,455,131,000. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Walmart in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $6,458,529,000. Legal & General Group Plc bought a new stake in Walmart in the second quarter valued at approximately $2,905,655,000. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board acquired a new stake in shares of Walmart in the second quarter valued at approximately $796,677,000. Finally, Deutsche Bank AG lifted its position in shares of Walmart by 54.0% in the second quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 18,607,297 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $2,107,462,000 after buying an additional 6,525,224 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 26.76% of the company’s stock.

Walmart Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ WMT traded down $0.99 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $108.09. 19,296,868 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 25,471,861. The firm has a market capitalization of $857.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.02, a P/E/G ratio of 4.09 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a current ratio of 0.77. Walmart Inc. has a 52 week low of $98.88 and a 52 week high of $135.15. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $110.21 and its 200 day simple moving average is $118.71.

Walmart (NASDAQ:WMT) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 20th. The retailer reported $0.81 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.74 by $0.07. Walmart had a return on equity of 21.83% and a net margin of 3.00%.The business had revenue of $187.94 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $186.64 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.68 EPS. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 5.9% on a year-over-year basis. Walmart has set its Q3 2027 guidance at 0.620-0.640 EPS and its FY 2027 guidance at 2.800-2.870 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Walmart Inc. will post 2.87 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

WMT has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a “buy” rating and set a $130.00 target price on shares of Walmart in a report on Friday, August 21st. BNP Paribas Exane reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $137.00 price target (down from $146.00) on shares of Walmart in a report on Friday, August 21st. Truist Financial set a $114.00 price objective on shares of Walmart and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, August 21st. Robert W. Baird reduced their price objective on shares of Walmart from $140.00 to $120.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, August 21st. Finally, Roth Capital reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Walmart in a report on Friday, August 21st. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirty-two have issued a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $131.88.

Walmart News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Walmart this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Walmart is broadening its online marketplace with third-party products such as ADT Blu DIY home-security kits and RocketSports-1 activewear. The expanded assortment could increase customer engagement, marketplace sales and fee revenue. What Is Walmart Telling Investors With Its Broader Online Product Range?
• Positive Sentiment: Walmart+ is adding more than 4,000 Citgo locations to its fuel-savings program, expanding a benefit that may improve membership retention and attract budget-conscious shoppers while fuel prices are elevated. Walmart+ Expands Gas Savings Program as Fuel Prices Surge
• Positive Sentiment: Walmart continues to expand delivery through store-based fulfillment and a new Papa John’s partnership. Faster delivery and additional restaurant orders could strengthen digital engagement and help Walmart gain market share. Walmart Delivery Push Gains Momentum with Papa John’s Partnership
• Neutral Sentiment: Walmart’s advertising business has been identified by Goldman Sachs as a high-margin contributor, supporting the company’s broader retail-media strategy. However, the articles provide limited detail on the immediate earnings impact. Walmart’s Ad Business Stands Out as High Margin Contributor
• Neutral Sentiment: Walmart recently exceeded quarterly earnings and revenue expectations, with revenue up 5.9% year over year, while digital growth and its outlook remain supportive. Analysts caution that higher operating costs and heavier capital spending could limit near-term profit expansion. Walmart Q2 Earnings Beat Estimates but Can Higher Costs Limit Upside?
• Negative Sentiment: Walmart’s valuation remains demanding, with commentary citing a forward earnings multiple near 35 times. Higher costs and increased investment leave less room for execution disappointments, limiting near-term upside. Should Investors Buy Walmart Stock as Growth Meets a Rich Valuation?
• Negative Sentiment: Jim Cramer said Target is currently performing better than Walmart and suggested Walmart may be giving customers larger discounts, a strategy that could pressure margins and weigh on investor sentiment. Jim Cramer Says Target’s Doing Better than Walmart Right Now

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Christopher Nicholas sold 2,900 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $106.34, for a total transaction of $308,386.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 569,153 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $60,523,730.02. This trade represents a 0.51% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, EVP Daniel Bartlett sold 3,950 shares of Walmart stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $105.14, for a total transaction of $415,303.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 622,349 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $65,433,773.86. This trade represents a 0.63% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 67,879 shares of company stock valued at $7,235,277. 0.09% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

About Walmart

Walmart Inc is a multinational retail and technology company that operates supercenters, discount stores, neighborhood markets, e-commerce platforms and membership warehouse clubs. Its merchandise includes groceries, apparel, electronics, home goods, health and beauty products, general merchandise and other consumer products.

Founded by Sam Walton in 1962 and incorporated in 1969, Walmart is headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas. The company serves customers through operations in the United States and international markets, including Mexico, Canada, China, India and several countries in Central America and Africa.