Walmart Inc. (WMT) achieved a historic milestone on February 3, 2026, as its market capitalization surpassed $1 trillion for the first time, placing the retail giant among the most valuable public companies in the United States. The stock hit an intraday record of $127 per share, trading at $126.87 during market hours, a gain of 2.27%. Year-to-date, Walmart shares have climbed approximately 13%, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 Index's 1.9% gain.
This achievement places Walmart in an elite group, largely dominated by technology giants like Nvidia and Alphabet, and makes it the largest company in the S&P 500 Consumer Staples Index. The milestone was underscored by Walmart's recent inclusion in the Nasdaq-100 Index, where it replaced AstraZeneca, signaling a shift in investor perception from a traditional retailer to a technology-enabled commerce leader.
A key driver behind Walmart's momentum is the expansion of its Walmart+ membership program. According to Morgan Stanley survey data, membership grew by about 2.6 million between November 2025 and January 2026, reaching an estimated 28.4 million members. On a three-month rolling basis, year-over-year growth stood at roughly 12%.
The company's logistics investments have also paid off, with same-day delivery now estimated to reach approximately 95% of U.S. households, supported by a network of about 3,562 Supercenters. This store-based fulfillment model enhances competitiveness with e-commerce rivals.
Walmart's growth is increasingly powered by artificial intelligence (AI) integration. The company uses AI across its operations, from workforce scheduling to supply chain management. Strategic partnerships include a collaboration with Alphabet Inc. to offer AI-powered shopping through Google's Gemini platform and a team-up with OpenAI to enable shopping directly through ChatGPT.
New CEO John Furner, who took over on February 1, 2026, faces the challenge of sustaining growth amid competition from Amazon.com Inc., Aldi Inc., and Target Corp., while leading the company's AI transformation. Analyst sentiment remains largely positive, with 47 buy ratings, three holds, and one sell rating. The company raised its full-year sales and profit forecasts in November 2025 after beating third-quarter expectations, with fourth-quarter earnings scheduled for February 19, 2026.
