Walmart's AI Adoption Rises: Could Tech Productivity Drive Margins?

Core Insights - Walmart Inc. is increasingly utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) as a productivity tool, demonstrating its effectiveness in enhancing efficiency across various operations [1][7] - The company reported that over 40% of new code in the third quarter of fiscal 2026 was generated or supported by AI, indicating improved productivity in software development [2][7] - AI is also enhancing the online shopping experience by personalizing interactions and improving advertising relevance [3][7] Technology and Operations - AI and automation are driving efficiency gains in Walmart's supply chain and fulfillment processes, contributing to lower operational costs and better margin control [4][7] - The company has implemented ChatGPT enterprise licenses and AI training programs to ensure employees can effectively utilize these tools [2] Market Performance - Walmart's shares have increased by 20.7% over the past six months, outperforming the industry growth of 19%, while competitors Costco and Target have seen lower share price changes [5] - The forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio for Walmart is 39.85, which is higher than the industry average of 36.2, indicating a premium valuation compared to Target but a discount compared to Costco [8] Financial Metrics - The Zacks Consensus Estimate projects Walmart's fiscal-year sales and earnings per share to grow by 4.5% and 4.8% year-over-year, respectively [10]