Walmart hits $1 trillion market cap for first time
What's the story
Walmart has become the first retailer to hit a market cap of $1 trillion. The milestone was reached on Tuesday after a year-long rally that saw its shares rise more than 28%. The Arkansas-based company has been riding high on the growth of its digital businesses and new customer acquisitions.
Stock surge
Stock performance beats S&P 500 index
Walmart's stock has surged over 28% in the last year and over 14% so far in 2026. The performance beats the S&P 500 index, which has gained some 15% over the past year. The retailer's strong performance is attributed to its focus on third-party marketplace and advertising businesses that yield higher margins than traditional brick-and-mortar operations.
Business expansion
Impressive growth in e-commerce and advertising businesses
In its fiscal 2026 third-quarter report, Walmart posted a revenue increase of 5.8%. This was driven by a whopping 27% surge in e-commerce sales and an impressive 53% growth in its advertising business. The company expects sales to grow between 4.8% and 5.1% for the entire fiscal year.
Leadership transition
New CEO's leadership boosts company's growth
The milestone comes just days after John Furner took over as the new CEO of Walmart. He had previously headed Walmart's US business and was instrumental in key initiatives that drove growth for the retailer in recent years. His efforts included curbside pickup and improved private-label brands, which attracted higher-income shoppers even as inflation strained grocery budgets.