Walmart Is Now a $1 Trillion Company. If You'd Invested $100 into Its IPO, Here's How Much You'd Have Today

Core Insights - Walmart's share price has increased by approximately 15% in 2026, driven by growth in its e-commerce segment and investments in artificial intelligence, leading to a market capitalization of $1 trillion, making it the first traditional retailer to reach this milestone [1][2] Company History and Growth - Walmart was founded by Sam Walton in 1962, with the first store opening in Rogers, Arkansas, based on the belief that lower prices would lead to higher sales and profits, particularly in rural areas [3] - The company went public in 1969 at a split-adjusted IPO price of $0.0027 per share, and over the next 30 years, its share price surged by 591,400% as store locations expanded [4] Challenges and Adaptation - Walmart initially struggled with the rise of e-commerce, with past leadership dismissing its potential, which allowed competitors like Amazon to gain market share [5] - From January 2000 to January 2013, Walmart's share price remained flat due to its slow adaptation to e-commerce, but it has since more than quintupled as the company enhanced its e-commerce platform and invested in AI technology [6] Investment Value - An investment of $100 at Walmart's IPO would have grown significantly, resulting in approximately 37,236 shares today, worth around $4,766,208 at the current share price of $128, excluding reinvested dividends [7]