Walmart Jumps on Nasdaq 100 Entry and AI Commerce Push

Walmart’s stock moved higher as investors reacted to index inclusion and new developments in AI-driven commerce.

Shares of Walmart (WMT) rose sharply as the retailer’s addition to the Nasdaq 100 coincided with expanded e-commerce and artificial intelligence initiatives.

Key Points

• Walmart stock rose 3.1% to $118.08 following news of its inclusion in the Nasdaq 100.
• The company is integrating AI-powered checkout and shopping tools with Google’s Gemini chatbot.
• Walmart shares gained 23% in 2025, outperforming the S&P 500’s 16% rise.

Why Did Walmart Stock Rise?

The immediate catalyst was Walmart’s addition to the Nasdaq 100 index, replacing AstraZeneca, with the change taking effect before the market opened on Jan. 20. Index inclusion can prompt portfolio adjustments by funds that track the benchmark, often increasing trading activity around the stock.

The move followed Walmart’s recent transfer of its share listing to the Nasdaq after more than five decades on the New York Stock Exchange, aligning the company more closely with technology-focused peers.

How Does AI Fit Into Walmart’s Strategy?

Walmart has been expanding its use of artificial intelligence across shopping, checkout, and logistics. The retailer announced plans to integrate instant checkout directly into Google’s Gemini chatbot, allowing customers to discover and purchase Walmart and Sam’s Club products without leaving the AI interface.

Executives described this as part of a broader shift toward “agent-led” or “agentic” commerce, where AI systems help move customers from product discovery to purchase more seamlessly. Walmart has also partnered with OpenAI to enable similar checkout capabilities through ChatGPT.

What Does Nasdaq 100 Inclusion Signal to Markets?

The Nasdaq 100 is widely associated with growth-oriented and technology-driven companies. Walmart’s inclusion reflects how markets increasingly view the retailer as an e-commerce and technology-enabled business, rather than solely a traditional big-box operator.

The announcement came amid broader market caution, with S&P 500 futures lower due to geopolitical concerns, highlighting that Walmart’s move was driven by company-specific developments rather than overall market strength.

What It Means for Investors

Walmart’s recent price action shows how structural changes, such as index inclusion, can influence short-term market reactions independent of broader market trends. These events can increase visibility and trading volume, which may also raise short-term volatility.

The company’s expanding use of AI underscores a longer-term shift in how large retailers are adapting to changes in consumer behavior and digital commerce. Integrations with platforms like Gemini and ChatGPT signal a focus on convenience, personalization, and faster transactions.

At the same time, Walmart’s strong performance in 2025—up 23% compared with the S&P 500’s 16%—highlights how markets have rewarded its e-commerce growth and resilience in consumer spending, even as macro uncertainty persists.

Conclusion

Walmart’s stock rise reflects a combination of index inclusion and accelerating technology initiatives, reinforcing its evolving role in digital and AI-enabled retail while providing context for why markets reacted positively to the news.

FAQs

Why did Walmart stock rise today?
Walmart stock rose primarily due to its addition to the Nasdaq 100 index and renewed attention on its AI-driven e-commerce initiatives.

What is the Nasdaq 100, and why does inclusion matter?
The Nasdaq 100 tracks 100 of the largest non-financial companies listed on Nasdaq, and inclusion can increase trading activity as index-linked funds adjust holdings.

How is Walmart using artificial intelligence?
Walmart is integrating AI-powered shopping and instant checkout features with platforms like Google’s Gemini and OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

How has Walmart stock performed recently?
Walmart shares gained 23% in 2025, outperforming the S&P 500’s 16% increase over the same period.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by an editor. For details, please refer to our Terms of Use.

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