New York — Walmart is set to report earnings Thursday, just weeks after crossing the $1 trillion market value mark.
Now, investors want to see if the retail giant can grow even faster — especially with the help of artificial intelligence.
This earnings report covers the all-important holiday quarter. It’s also the first under new CEO John Furner, who officially took over on February 1 after running Walmart’s massive U.S. division.
A rare $1 trillion club
Walmart crossed the $1 trillion valuation line on February 3 — something very few non-tech companies have done. The others include Saudi Aramco, Berkshire Hathaway, and Eli Lilly.
That milestone is especially striking for a company that started as a small family store in Arkansas in 1962.
Analysts expect modest profit growth for the quarter, wrapping up a year where revenue likely grew nearly 5% to more than $700 billion.
Attracting both rich and struggling shoppers
Walmart has been winning over higher-income shoppers in the U.S., while still serving lower-income families feeling financial pressure. Around 90% of Americans live within 10 miles of a Walmart store, giving the company massive reach.
The retailer has also been growing online and overseas. In China, Walmart now operates 60 Sam’s Club locations.
Big push into AI
A big part of Walmart’s future strategy centers on artificial intelligence.
The company has partnered with OpenAI to allow shoppers to buy products through ChatGPT. It also teamed up with Google so customers can use the Gemini AI program to shop.
Walmart says AI helps in several ways:
- Cutting shipping costs through automation
- Personalizing recommendations
- Managing inventory more efficiently
- Powering “agentic commerce,” where AI can automatically handle tasks like placing weekly grocery orders
Executives believe AI will make shopping faster and more convenient. But analysts warn there are risks too. As AI agents start interacting more with each other, retailers may have less direct contact with customers.
Leadership changes and modernization
Walmart recently announced it will move its stock listing from the New York Stock Exchange to Nasdaq, saying it fits better with its tech-focused strategy.
The company also named David Guggina — a former Amazon executive — to lead its U.S. division. His background in e-commerce and supply chains signals that online sales will play an even bigger role going forward.
For now, markets are watching closely. Walmart has proven it can grow steadily. The big question is whether AI and digital upgrades can push that growth into a higher gear.
