Quantitative Investment Management LLC Makes New $10.86 Million Investment in Walmart Inc. $WMT

Quantitative Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Walmart Inc. (NASDAQ:WMT) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm acquired 95,844 shares of the retailer’s stock, valued at approximately $10,855,000. Walmart comprises 1.2% of Quantitative Investment Management LLC’s holdings, making the stock its 12th largest position.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of WMT. Entrust Financial LLC purchased a new position in shares of Walmart in the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Merkkuri Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Walmart during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Bay Harbor Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in Walmart by 57.4% in the 4th quarter. Bay Harbor Wealth Management LLC now owns 288 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 105 shares in the last quarter. Sankala Group LLC purchased a new position in Walmart in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Finally, Motiv8 Investments LLC bought a new stake in Walmart during the 4th quarter valued at $34,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 26.76% of the company’s stock.

Walmart Price Performance

WMT opened at $105.92 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a current ratio of 0.77. The stock has a market capitalization of $840.34 billion, a PE ratio of 38.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.00 and a beta of 0.59. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $111.38 and its 200-day moving average price is $120.08. Walmart Inc. has a 52-week low of $96.51 and a 52-week high of $135.15.

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

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Daniel J. Bartlett sold 3,710 shares of Walmart stock in a transaction on Monday, August 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $113.10, for a total value of $419,601.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 626,299 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $70,834,416.90. The trade was a 0.59% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, EVP Daniel Danker sold 50,644 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $105.35, for a total transaction of $5,335,345.40. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 201,672 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $21,246,145.20. This trade represents a 20.07% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 77,292 shares of company stock valued at $8,421,143. Company insiders own 0.09% of the company’s stock.

More Walmart News

Here are the key news stories impacting Walmart this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Opioid lawsuit ends with limited financial impact: Walmart agreed to pay approximately $50 million to resolve a Justice Department lawsuit involving its pharmacies’ opioid-distribution practices. The settlement is described as immaterial relative to Walmart’s profits and substantially below the potentially multibillion-dollar penalties once threatened, reducing a major legal overhang. Walmart escapes major legal penalty for a fraction of the cost
• Positive Sentiment: Marketplace growth remains strong: Walmart’s U.S. marketplace sales reportedly increased 52%, helped by a broader product assortment, increased fulfillment adoption and expansion into Mexico and Canada. Continued marketplace momentum could improve customer engagement and support higher-margin advertising and third-party seller revenue. Walmart’s Marketplace Momentum Builds
• Positive Sentiment: International digital operations are improving: Rising e-commerce penetration and reduced losses in Walmart International are improving the segment’s economics. However, ongoing investment and margin pressure could limit the near-term earnings benefit. Walmart International’s Digital Mix Rises
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst remains bullish: Tigress Financial reaffirmed its “buy” rating and set a $155 price target, implying substantial upside from recent trading levels. SAIC, Walmart And 3 Stocks To Watch
• Neutral Sentiment: Value comparison offers limited direction: Articles comparing Walmart with J. Sainsbury PLC focus on relative valuation rather than a new company-specific catalyst. Walmart’s strong operating profile is balanced by a comparatively elevated earnings multiple, making valuation-sensitive investors more selective. JSAIY vs. WMT: Which Stock Is the Better Value Option?
• Negative Sentiment: EPS estimates were trimmed: Erste Group Bank lowered its fiscal 2027 earnings-per-share estimates for Walmart, reinforcing concerns that elevated investment, e-commerce costs or margin pressure could constrain profit growth. FY2027 EPS Estimates for Walmart Cut by Erste Group Bank

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the company. Weiss Ratings lowered Walmart from a “buy (b)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a report on Friday, July 31st. TD Cowen reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Walmart in a report on Friday, August 21st. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their price target on Walmart from $137.00 to $131.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, August 21st. BMO Capital Markets reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $126.00 price target on shares of Walmart in a research report on Friday, August 21st. Finally, Freedom Broker raised Walmart from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Thursday, August 20th. Three equities 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 company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $131.88.

Walmart Company Profile

Walmart is a multinational retail corporation that operates a broad portfolio of store formats and digital services. Its core business includes large-format supercenters, discount department stores, neighborhood grocery stores and a membership warehouse chain, Sam’s Club. The company’s merchandising mix covers groceries, household goods, apparel, electronics and pharmacy services, supplemented by private-label products and category-specific offerings. Walmart pairs its physical store network with online platforms and mobile applications to provide omnichannel shopping, fulfillment and delivery options for consumers and businesses.

The company was founded by Sam Walton, who opened the first store in Rogers, Arkansas in 1962; it is headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas.