Walgreens Trading Volume Surges 287 to 430 Million Hits 194th in Market Activity as Stock Falls 083 Percent

On August 25, 2025, Walgreens (WBA) reported a trading volume of $430 million, a 287.03% increase from the previous day, ranking 194th in market activity. The stock closed with a 0.83% decline, reflecting mixed investor sentiment ahead of key earnings reports and regulatory updates.

Recent developments highlight regulatory scrutiny as the U.S. Department of Justice intensified its antitrust review of Walgreens' pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) unit. The investigation focuses on potential barriers to generic drug access, with regulators considering enforcement actions that could reshape the company's revenue model. Separately, a partnership with a regional healthcare provider to expand retail clinic services was announced, though the near-term financial impact remains unclear.

Analysts noted elevated short-term volatility, with traders adjusting positions ahead of the October expiration cycle. Options activity showed increased put purchases, indicating defensive positioning despite the stock's 28% year-to-date decline. Institutional investors have reduced exposure by 12% since January, according to latest filings, while retail investors maintain a net long bias through commission-free trading platforms.

The strategy of buying the top 500 stocks by daily trading volume and holding them for one day from 2022 to now delivered moderate returns. The 1-day return was 0.98%, with a total return of 31.52% over 365 days. The strategy's Sharpe ratio was 0.79, indicating good risk-adjusted returns. The highest daily return was 4.95%, and the lowest was -4.47%. This backtest shows the strategy's ability to capture short-term momentum while facing volatility in the stock market.