Should I buy Walmart stock in 2025?

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At HelloSafe, our expert has been monitoring Walmart’s performance for over three years. Every month, hundreds of thousands of users in the United States rely on us to interpret market trends and identify leading investment opportunities. Our analyses are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute investment advice. In line with our ethical guidelines, we have never been, and will never be, compensated by Walmart.

What is Walmart?

How much is Walmart stock?

The price of Walmart stock is rising this week. As of now, the stock trades at $97.41, reflecting a 0.16% gain (+$0.16) in the past 24 hours but a 1.64% decrease over the week.

A beta of 0.69 indicates relatively low volatility. With these strong fundamentals and moderate price movements, Walmart continues to offer both stability and growth potential for investors.

Our full analysis on Walmart stock

We have reviewed Walmart’s latest financial results alongside its stellar stock performance over the past three years, integrating comprehensive data from financial indicators, technical signals, market trends, and peer benchmarking through our proprietary analytical framework. This multidimensional approach reveals unique insights that set Walmart apart in today’s dynamic retail sector. So, why might Walmart stock once again become a strategic entry point into the consumer defensive sector in 2025?

Recent Performance and Market Context

Walmart (NYSE: WMT) has distinguished itself as one of the most consistent outperformers among large-cap consumer stocks. As of May 2025, Walmart trades at $97.41 per share, reflecting a remarkable 65.5% gain over the past 12 months and an impressive 18.5% advance in the last six months. Although the stock experienced a modest 1.6% decline over the past week—likely attributable to a bout of sector-wide profit-taking—the underlying trend remains robust, underpinned by strong investor confidence and resilient earnings.

Several positive events have contributed to this upward momentum. Most notably, the company’s latest quarterly results exceeded consensus estimates, with both revenue and earnings posting healthy beats. The transformative acquisition of Vizio, the acceleration of its high-growth digital and advertising businesses, and the ongoing store modernization initiative have all been key performance drivers. In an environment where consumer spending remains uneven across categories, Walmart’s unique blend of value proposition and innovation places the company at the epicenter of favorable macroeconomic and sector dynamics—particularly as customers increasingly prioritize affordability and convenience.

Technical Analysis

From a technical standpoint, Walmart’s price action is indicative of strong bullish momentum. The stock is currently trading above all significant moving averages: the 20-day ($94.6), 50-day ($89.7), 100-day ($93.5), and 200-day ($91.0), solidifying its status in a robust uptrend. The 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) stands at 68.2, suggesting momentum is strong but approaching the lower bound of overbought conditions, which often precedes a period of consolidation before another leg higher.

The MACD reading of 2.0 reinforces bullish prospects, with the signal line indicating positive short-term momentum. Meanwhile, the stochastic oscillator at 93.3 does warrant caution for near-term traders given its overbought signal, though this is typical for stocks undergoing powerful upward moves. WMT has established strong support at $97.21 and $93.66, with technical resistance at $97.69 and a psychological hurdle at $104.76. The current setup, above all key moving averages and testing resistance near all-time highs, suggests Walmart could be entering a new phase of bullish price discovery, especially if accompanied by fresh catalysts or favorable sector rotation.

Fundamental Analysis

Walmart’s fundamental story is exceptionally compelling. The recent quarter saw revenues rise by 6% year-over-year to $161.51 billion, with net income reaching $5.10 billion and adjusted EPS of $0.60—a notable beat versus expectations. Same-store sales in the US climbed 3.8%, and the e-commerce segment expanded a robust 22%, illustrating Walmart’s ability to capture growth across both core and emerging channels. Expansion of the advertising business by 24% globally and the surge in marketplace seller activity (up 36% in the US) are reshaping Walmart’s high-margin earnings potential.

While traditional valuation metrics such as the trailing P/E ratio of 40.42 may appear elevated, forward-looking measures (Forward P/E: 36.9; PEG: 3.87) normalize these figures given Walmart’s consistent top- and bottom-line expansion. Its price-to-sales ratio of 1.16 and price-to-book of 8.56, together with a dividend yield of 0.96% and a 52-year history of consecutive dividend increases (solidifying its “Dividend Aristocrat” status), reinforce the stock’s reputation as a premium—yet justifiably valued—defensive growth asset.

• Global economies of scale and logistical excellence
• Rapidly advancing omnichannel and digital transformation capabilities
• A vast and loyal customer base spanning income demographics
• Strategic expansion into high-margin sectors like advertising and the marketplace

These powerful advantages underpin Walmart’s sustained market leadership and capacity for continued innovation.

Volume and Liquidity

Walmart’s stock enjoys substantial liquidity, as evidenced by its 3-month average daily trading volume of 22.85 million shares and a market capitalization approaching $780 billion. This high level of sustained volume not only points to persistent market confidence but also ensures the stock’s accessibility and robust price discovery. The free float of 4.35 billion shares and significant institutional ownership further support dynamic valuation mechanisms and temper volatility, making WMT particularly attractive for both institutional and retail investors.

Catalysts and Positive Outlook

• Digital transformation: Continued rapid growth in e-commerce and first-party marketplace operations, with sellers and assortment at all-time highs
• Advertising and data: Increasing contributions from high-margin advertising, amplified by the Vizio acquisition to leverage connected-TV ad opportunities
• Store reinvention: $9 billion commitment to modernize over 1,400 US stores, further elevating customer experience and positioning Walmart as a destination for higher-income shoppers
• Product innovation: Introduction of new private-label grocery brands to serve a younger, more affluent demographic
• International momentum: Strong marketplace expansion in key international territories, such as Mexico, reinforcing diversified growth

Walmart’s guidance for net sales growth (3–4%) and adjusted EPS aligns with these catalysts, and the company’s recent outperformance versus expectations suggests potential for guidance upgrades in coming quarters. The current macro environment—marked by persistent consumer focus on value and convenience—continues to play to Walmart’s core strengths.

Investment Strategies

• Short-term: Traders may focus on momentum, capitalizing on pullbacks toward support just above $97, with firm conviction that the stock’s solid uptrend provides a favorable risk-reward profile for bounce trades.
• Medium-term: Investors may look to accumulate ahead of upcoming catalysts, particularly as positive earnings momentum, store modernizations, and digital advances progress. Entry points near technical supports or following any short-term consolidations may offer attractive positioning for the next leg higher.
• Long-term: Walmart’s blend of growth levers, premium brand power, and reliable dividend policy makes it a natural candidate for core defensive allocations in retirement and growth portfolios—especially given sustained execution during variable economic cycles.

The timing appears both strategic and accommodating, as WMT offers rare defensive growth with robust structural tailwinds, and portfolios may benefit from exposure ahead of further upgrades or macro tailwinds.

Is it the Right Time to Buy Walmart?

Synthesizing the evidence: Walmart’s stock stands stronger than ever, marked by both technical resilience and fundamental outperformance. Key strengths include sector-leading omnichannel innovation, accelerating high-margin segments, and a proven commitment to shareholder returns through decades of dividend growth. The current price action, coupled with solid volume and supportive analyst sentiment (45 Buys, $107 price target), speaks to a broad consensus of optimism. Valuation, while at a premium, is thoroughly justified by earnings momentum, market share gains, and a disciplined approach to long-term strategy.

As we move deeper into 2025, Walmart seems to represent an excellent opportunity for investors seeking a balance of defensive reliability, digital transformation, and dividend consistency. The convergence of strong technicals, high liquidity, and powerful macroeconomic positioning may signal that the stock is entering a new bullish phase. For those seeking exposure to a sector-defining leader with renewed structural tailwinds and clear upside potential, Walmart’s current positioning deserves thoughtful consideration as a springboard for future portfolio growth.

In this environment, Walmart’s combination of innovation, scale, and unwavering operational excellence creates a foundation for continued outperformance—making it one of the most compelling opportunities within the US retail sector for investors looking to build conviction in 2025 and beyond.

How to buy Walmart stock in United States?

Buying Walmart (WMT) stock online is straightforward, secure, and accessible for US investors thanks to regulated brokers. Today, you can own shares directly or trade their price movements with CFDs (contracts for difference). Spot buying gives you direct ownership, while CFDs let you speculate short-term—often with leverage. Both methods take only a few clicks to get started, provided you use a licensed platform. Which is best for you? Compare the key differences and leading brokers in our dedicated comparison lower on this page.

Spot Buying

A cash or spot purchase means buying Walmart shares outright via a brokerage account on the NYSE. You become the direct owner of the stock: you can hold it for the long term, receive dividends, and vote at shareholder meetings. The main fees with this approach are typically a fixed commission per trade, often around $0–$6 per order at US brokers.

Example with a $1,000 investment

If Walmart trades at $97.41 per share, you can buy about 10 shares ($974.10), with a $5 brokerage fee, bringing your total to $979.10. You now directly own these shares.

• Gain scenario: If the stock rises 10%, your shares are now worth $1,100.
  Result: +$100 gross gain, or +10% on your initial investment.

Trading via CFD

CFD trading lets you speculate on Walmart’s price movements without owning the stock. Popular among active traders, CFDs allow you to use leverage (borrowed funds), so you can control a larger position with less capital. Note: you won't receive dividends with CFDs, and fees include the spread (difference between buying and selling prices) plus overnight financing costs for leveraged positions.

Example with a $1,000 stake and 5x leverage

You open a CFD position on Walmart worth $5,000. If WMT’s price climbs by 8%, your position gains 8% × 5 = 40%.
Result: +$400 gain on a $1,000 deposit (excluding fees and overnight charges).

Final Advice

Before investing, carefully compare brokers’ fees, minimum deposit requirements, and available features—costs can vary widely. Whether you choose direct stock ownership or trading via CFDs depends on your financial goals, risk tolerance, and investment horizon. Ready to find the broker that fits you best? See our full broker comparison table further down this page to make a confident, informed choice.

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eToro

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4.9

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51% of CFD accounts lose money. You will never lose more than your investment.

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Our 7 tips for buying Walmart stock

The latest news about Walmart

Walmart exceeded expectations in its latest quarterly results, underscoring robust growth in the US market. The company reported Q1 FY2025 revenue of $161.51 billion, marking a 6% year-over-year increase, with net income reaching $5.10 billion and adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.60 versus $0.52 expected. Same-store sales in the US rose 3.8%, supported by a standout 22% year-over-year surge in US e-commerce, indicating strong consumer response to Walmart’s omnichannel strategy. Exceptional performance in high-margin areas such as advertising—where US growth reached 26%—further solidifies Walmart’s market position. The company’s ability to surpass Wall Street’s revenue and earnings forecasts illustrates its ongoing operational momentum and successful adaptation to evolving retail trends in the United States.

The company’s commitment to large-scale store modernization and technological innovation strengthens its long-term competitive advantage in the US. Walmart has announced a $9 billion investment aimed at upgrading and modernizing more than 1,400 stores across the country, focusing on enhanced layouts, energy efficiency, and digital integration to create a superior in-store experience. Coupled with its recent launch of a new private-label grocery brand targeting younger and more affluent households, Walmart is effectively broadening its appeal and bolstering customer engagement. These strategic initiatives are essential for maintaining relevance amidst shifting consumer preferences and for attracting higher-margin demographics within the US market.

Walmart’s e-commerce and delivery business continues to accelerate, now outpacing store pickup in order volume for the first time. This milestone highlights growing consumer adoption of online shopping and the effectiveness of Walmart’s digital fulfillment infrastructure. The company reported that delivery business now surpasses store pickup in volume, reinforcing its successful transformation into a truly omnichannel retailer. This seamless integration of physical and digital operations positions Walmart to capture further market share from both traditional retailers and online competitors, while also optimizing supply chain efficiencies for US customers.

Strong analyst consensus points toward further upside, reflecting continued confidence in Walmart’s growth trajectory. The current analyst consensus includes 45 Buy, 13 Hold, and only 2 Sell ratings, with a 12-month price target averaging $107.08, about 10% above current trading levels. This favorable outlook is bolstered by the company’s guidance that anticipates achieving the high end of its full-year net sales growth target (3-4%) and adjusted EPS of $2.23 to $2.37. Institutional investors and market analysts continue to endorse Walmart’s resilience, operational execution, and strategic pivot toward higher-margin businesses such as digital advertising, subscriptions, and marketplace expansion.

Walmart reinforces its reputation as a reliable defensive stock for US investors, supported by a 52-year streak of dividend increases. The stock remains a core holding for income-oriented investors with its 0.96% dividend yield and upcoming ex-dividend date of May 9, 2025. Its status as a Dividend Aristocrat is a testament to consistent shareholder returns and disciplined capital management, particularly valuable during periods of economic uncertainty. With a beta of 0.69, Walmart demonstrates below-market volatility, further enhancing its appeal for risk-averse, long-term US investors seeking stable cash flows and protection against market downturns.

FAQ

P. Laurore

Finance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and holder of a Master's degree in finance, Pauline has recognised expertise in personal finance, which she uses to help users better understand and optimise their financial choices. At HelloSafe, Pauline plays a key role in designing clear, educational content on savings, investments and personal finance. Passionate about financial education, Pauline strives, with every piece of content she oversees, to provide reliable, transparent and unbiased information for independent and informed financial management. To this end, she has tested over 100 trading platforms to help internet users make the right choices.