On January 30, UBS reiterated its Buy rating on Walmart, citing the retailer’s strong fiscal 2025 performance, which delivered $681 billion in revenue and a 4.3 percent operating margin—up a full percentage point from two years prior. Operating income reached $29.3 billion, driven by higher-margin initiatives such as expanded pharmacy services, digital advertising and AI-assisted shopping. In its update, UBS raised its 12-month price target by 11 percent, reflecting confidence in Walmart’s ability to sustain margin gains in the competitive discount-retail sector where peers run margins between 3.7 percent and 4.6 percent.

Walmart announced that John Furner, current president and CEO of Walmart U.S., will assume the role of CEO of Walmart Inc. on February 1, succeeding Doug McMillon. A noted technology proponent, Furner has championed drone testing, AI chat interfaces and Silicon Valley engagements to guide Walmart’s omnichannel expansion. His appointment comes as Walmart shares have risen roughly 20 percent over the past year, and the company approaches a trillion-dollar valuation. Furner’s top priority will be integrating advanced technologies and digital tools to maintain growth momentum amid the largest retail disruption since the advent of e-commerce.

In a bid to strengthen its health-care footprint, Walmart elevated 3,000 pharmacy associates into new operations team-lead roles, raising their average hourly pay to $28 with potential earnings of up to $42, and expanded technician pay scales to a maximum of $40.50 per hour. These changes aim to free pharmacists for patient care, improve in-store leadership and create clear career pathways without college requirements. Since 2016, Walmart has funded certification for more than 22,000 pharmacy technicians nationwide. The initiative supports Walmart’s strategy to boost high-margin pharmacy services across its 4,600+ store network.