So Walmart just casually dropped some earnings that made Wall Street do a double-take, then announced they’re ditching the NYSE for Nasdaq like they’re trading in their minivan for a Tesla. Classic big box retailer energy, honestly.
Here’s what went down: The retail giant that’s been keeping America fed and clothed since forever just posted Q3 numbers that had analysts scrambling to update their spreadsheets. Revenue hit $179.5 billion (with a B), beating estimates by a cool $2 billion. Not bad for a company that started selling stuff out of Arkansas.
The Numbers That Actually Matter
While everyone was worried about tariffs and inflation doing their usual chaos dance, Walmart was out here growing same-store sales by 4.5%. That’s the retail equivalent of gaining muscle while everyone else is just trying not to lose weight.
But here’s where it gets spicy: their e-commerce business jumped 27%. Remember when people said Amazon would eat Walmart’s lunch? Well, turns out Walmart learned how to cook. Their global advertising revenue (yes, they’re in the ad game now) shot up 53%. They’re basically becoming a mini-Amazon while Amazon tries to become a mini-everything.
The CEO Shuffle That Nobody Saw Coming
Plot twist: Doug McMillon, who’s been running the show, decided to peace out at the end of January 2026. But instead of hiring some hotshot from Silicon Valley, they’re promoting John Furner – a guy who literally started as an hourly employee 32 years ago. That’s the kind of internal promotion that makes LinkedIn influencers weep tears of joy.
The market’s reaction? “Cool, we trust this guy.” Stock barely flinched. When a CEO transition doesn’t cause panic selling, you know the company’s doing something right.
The Nasdaq Move: Peak Tech Bro Energy
After 52 years on the NYSE, Walmart decided to join the cool kids on Nasdaq. Their reasoning? They want to reflect their “technology-forward approach.” Translation: “We’re not just a grocery store anymore, we’re a tech company that happens to sell groceries.”
It’s like when your dad starts wearing skinny jeans – slightly awkward but you respect the effort.
What This Means for Your Money
Walmart stock is up 18% this year, sitting pretty at $107 per share. Analysts think it could hit $115, which isn’t exactly moon-shot territory, but it’s solid “boring millionaire” returns.
The real story here isn’t just the earnings beat – it’s that Walmart figured out how to evolve without losing its soul. They’re still the place where you can buy groceries, motor oil, and a TV at 2 AM, but now they’re also a legitimate e-commerce player with a growing advertising business.
In a world where every company is trying to be the next big thing, sometimes the biggest flex is just being really, really good at what you already do – then quietly adding some new tricks to your repertoire.
Not bad for a company that still greets you at the door.