Walmart (WMT) Stock Surges 6.46% on Revised Guidance, E-Commerce Growth and Nasdaq Migration

Walmart shares surged 6.46% in pre-market trading on Nov. 21, 2025, driven by upwardly revised annual forecasts and strategic shifts amid robust holiday season performance. The retailer raised its net sales guidance to 4.8%-5.1% from 3.75%-4.75%, while adjusted EPS expectations climbed to $2.58-$2.63, reflecting strong online sales growth and improved consumer spending patterns.

Same-store sales rose 4.5% in the US, exceeding estimates, with e-commerce revenue climbing 28%—led by grocery demand and 70% growth in expedited delivery services. Executives highlighted cross-income bracket spending, noting upper-income households continued to drive discretionary categories like apparel and home goods. The company also announced a Nasdaq listing migration from the NYSE, aligning with its tech-centric growth strategy.

Walmart’s performance contrasts with broader retail struggles, as rivals like Target and home improvement chains cut forecasts. The stock has gained 11% year-to-date, outpacing the S&P 500 Consumer Staples index. Analysts attribute the resilience to Walmart’s dual appeal to price-sensitive and higher-income shoppers, with AI-driven automation and logistics enhancements reinforcing operational efficiency.

CEO Doug McMillon’s retirement announcement and John Furner’s succession add strategic continuity, while wage disparities and inflationary pressures persist as macroeconomic headwinds. The shift to Nasdaq underscores the retailer’s focus on technology integration, including AI-assisted logistics and Agentic AI for inventory optimization.

Backtesting a momentum-driven strategy based on Walmart’s 2025 performance could leverage its consistent e-commerce acceleration and margin expansion. Historical data from Q3 2025 shows 20%+ quarterly e-commerce growth sustained for seven consecutive quarters, suggesting a durable tailwind. Position sizing might prioritize entry points following earnings beats and strategic announcements like listing changes.