MIAMI, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 18: A Walmart sign is displayed outside a Supercenter on November 18, 2024 in Miami, Florida. Walmart is set to report its third-quarter results on Tuesday, Nov. 19th. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)Getty ImagesOver the past ten years, Walmart (WMT) stock has provided a remarkable $132 Bil back to its investors in the form of cash through dividends and buybacks. Let’s examine some figures to see how this payout capability compares with the largest capital-return companies in the ...

Walmart Inc. named new leaders of Walmart U.S., Walmart International and Sam’s Club U.S.By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions .Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.David Guggina, executive vice president and chief eCommerce officer for Walma ...

The changes elevate a group of longtime executives and will take effect when the new chief executive takes over next month. ...

Kathryn McLay, who has been Walmart International's CEO since 2023, will step down but remain with the company through the end of the first quarter to help with the transition. ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is focusing on AI-driven product development to enhance growth in its omni-retail businesses, indicating a strategic shift towards technology integration [1][2] - Management emphasizes the importance of understanding customer needs through AI, which is expected to lead to transformative experiences in commerce [19][20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The integration of AI tools is aimed at improving customer interactions across various business lines, including advertising, data, and commerce [1][2] - The company is exploring agentic AI, which will automate recommendations and purchases based on customer behavior, enhancing the shopping experience [15][16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The partnership with OpenAI and Google’s Gemini is seen as a way to reach customers at different points in their shopping journey, indicating a broader market strategy [25][26] - The company aims to leverage AI to enhance customer engagement and drive sales, particularly in categories that require more exploration, such as electronics and fashion [51][52] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is committed to being at the forefront of AI technology, viewing it as a critical tool for enhancing customer service and operational efficiency [20][24] - Management believes that the integration of AI will not only improve customer experiences but also create a competitive advantage over rivals [22][24] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledges the risks of being a first mover in AI but believes the greater risk lies in not innovating [20][24] - The company anticipates that AI will lead to a more personalized shopping experience, addressing individual customer needs more effectively [75][76] Other Important Information - The company is focused on creating a seamless shopping experience that integrates both online and in-store interactions, emphasizing the importance of physical stores in the retail landscape [55][56] - AI is being utilized internally to optimize supply chain operations and enhance associate productivity, demonstrating the technology's broad application [70][74] Q&A Session Summary Question: How does the company view the integration of AI in customer shopping experiences? - The company sees AI as a transformative tool that will enhance personalization and streamline the shopping process, making it easier for customers to find and purchase products [75][76] Question: What are the risks associated with being a first mover in AI? - Management believes the risk of not innovating is greater than the risk of being a first mover, as it is essential to meet evolving customer expectations [20][24] Question: How will partnerships with OpenAI and Google impact the business? - These partnerships are expected to enhance customer engagement by integrating AI into various shopping journeys, allowing the company to reach customers in new ways [25][26]

Core Insights - Walmart Inc. is set to join the Nasdaq-100 index on January 20, 2026, marking its transition from a traditional retailer to a tech-driven enterprise [1] - The addition of Walmart to the Nasdaq-100 reflects its large market capitalization and strong trading liquidity, as well as changing perceptions of the company [4] Company Transition - Walmart's strategic decision to shift its stock listing from the New York Stock Exchange to Nasdaq's Global Select Market in late 2025 signifies a move towards aligning with a technology-focused investor base [3] - This transition ends a 50-year association with the NYSE and was completed in December 2025 [3] Market Reaction - Following the announcement, Walmart's stock gained 4.7% over three sessions, while AstraZeneca's stock declined by 1.6% [2][5] - Investor response has been favorable, with passive funds and index-tracking investors preparing to rebalance their portfolios in light of Walmart's inclusion [4]

Core Insights - U.S. equity markets showed resilience with major indexes reaching new record closing highs, driven by positive corporate news and the upcoming fourth-quarter earnings season [1][12] Major Market Indexes Performance - All three major U.S. stock indexes finished positively, with the Nasdaq Composite up 0.3%, S&P 500 up 0.2%, and Dow Jones Industrial Average also up 0.2%, marking new record closes [2] - The S&P 500's performance followed a strong previous week, supported by a softer-than-expected December jobs report, which indicated a modest addition of 50,000 jobs and a decrease in the unemployment rate to 4.4% [2] Upcoming Market Events - The fourth-quarter earnings season is set to begin, with major U.S. banks like JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Citigroup, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley reporting results [3] - Analysts expect an 8.3% year-over-year earnings growth for S&P 500 companies in the December quarter, which would mark the tenth consecutive quarter of positive earnings gains if achieved [3] Economic Data Releases - The December Consumer Price Index (CPI) report is anticipated, with estimates predicting a 0.3% month-over-month gain, keeping annual inflation around 2.7% [4] - Additional reports on the Producer Price Index (PPI) and retail sales for November and December are scheduled, which will provide insights into pricing pressures and consumer activity [4] Major Stock News and Developments - Alphabet reached a $4 trillion market capitalization, with shares rising 1% after Apple selected Google's Gemini for its AI initiatives [5] - Walmart's shares increased by 3% following its announcement to join the Nasdaq 100 index and a partnership with Google's Gemini AI [6] - Intel Corporation's shares surged 10.8% after positive remarks from President Trump regarding a meeting with its CEO [8] - General Motors announced $7.1 billion in special charges for the fourth quarter, leading to a slight dip of 0.3% in its stock [9] Smaller Cap Stocks Movements - ANI Pharmaceuticals rose over 8% on a strong revenue forecast for 2026, while Dexcom gained over 5% on robust preliminary revenue [10] - Akamai Technologies and Amphenol both saw increases of over 4% following analyst upgrades [10]

Key Takeaways TGT is deploying GenAI platforms to digitize trend scouting and compress product development timelines.TGT's Trend Brain scans social and cultural signals, while synthetic audiences test designs before launch.TGT saw early gains in Fun 101, with nearly 10% toy growth and double-digit gains in Q3 FY25.Target Corporation (TGT) is positioning artificial intelligence as a foundational lever in its next merchandising cycle, with the goal of restoring design-led authority across discretionary catego ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the latest trends and developments in the investment banking sector, highlighting key financial metrics and market movements. Group 1: Industry Trends - The investment banking industry is experiencing a shift towards digital transformation, with firms increasingly adopting technology to enhance efficiency and client engagement [1] - Recent data indicates a significant increase in M&A activity, with total deal value reaching $500 billion in the last quarter, marking a 20% increase year-over-year [1] Group 2: Company Performance - A leading investment bank reported a 15% rise in quarterly revenues, driven by strong performance in advisory services and capital markets [1] - The bank's net income for the quarter was $1.2 billion, reflecting a 10% increase compared to the previous year [1]

Group 1 - Walmart (WMT) will be added to the Nasdaq-100 Index on January 20, 2026, replacing AstraZeneca (AZN) [3] - The Nasdaq-100 Index includes 100 of the largest non-financial companies, indicating Walmart's significant market position [3]