Walmart stock (WMT) is currently trading at record highs on the US stock market. In the last six months, the stock is up 45% and is up nearly 10% already YTD. Stock experts are mostly in a bullish consensus on WMT, with some even labeling it the stock of the year in 2024. One of Wall Street’s most popular faces, Jim Cramer, is even calling Walmart stock an “amazing” option for this year.
On his January 31 episode of Mad Money on CNBC, Cramer was asked about his thoughts on WMT stock. “I thought that if I had Costco and I had TJ [Maxx], I shouldn’t have Walmart,” he responded. “And the answer is that was wrong. When you think of stocks going higher, you should break discipline a little and buy the stock. Walmart is amazing and boy, do my kids and I love to shop there.”
Walmart Back Tracks on Previous Walmart Stock Opinion
Back in November 2024, Jim Cramer spoke on Walmart’s performance in 2024, warning people not to dive into the stock too quickly. “Walmart’s had an amazing ride. It’s up 60% this year. It’s almost in a straight line. This is a big-cap company, up 60%. Wait a second, that’s amazing. Now this is the kinda stock where we need to see some sort of pullback before we get too excited.”
He added, “I think we reached a short-term top this week in the stock so I don’t wanna plunge in and just start buying it right now. Even though the great ones like Walmart are going to continue to be good, don’t get me wrong. I bet the numbers will be excellent. Maybe they can even turbocharge the stock from here. But up here for me, you only have my blessing to put a small position on it.” Since then of course, as it has become a staple of Cramer’s analysis, Walmart stock is up an additional 16%. Now, the Mad Money host is eating his words, admitting that he was wrong and that WMT is a premium option.
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Entering 2025, Walmart Stock is poised for another big year of gains. In the last 365 days, WMT has risen 75%. Additionally, over the last year, net income at Walmart has increased 910%, with its earnings per share up 913%, according to CNN data. With 90% of analysts giving the stock a buy rating, it holds a high-end price target of $110, 20% above its current price.
With ad revenue likely to grow and more investments due, 2025 should bring a record growth pace for Walmart and its stock. Moreover, it emerges as the leader in all department store offerings in the country. The company is also becoming very competitive with Amazon as it offers more items online and grows its third-party seller marketplace. It’s working on generative AI-powered chatbots to make the retail website more responsive and personalized. It’s also leaning into same-day delivery and online shopping. Walmart has begun using drone delivery in the Bentonville area and has ambitions to bring that to life in more towns. Such an investment in technology + AI could reap huge benefits for the company.
