Walmart's Stock Soars: A Look at the Numbers

Since Doug McMillon took over as CEO in 2014, Walmart's stock has experienced a remarkable rise, more than quadrupling in value. This impressive performance has outpaced many competitors, with only Amazon and Costco achieving better returns.

A Decade of Growth and Transformation

McMillon's tenure has been marked by significant growth and transformation. Under his leadership, Walmart has evolved into a major e-commerce player while navigating challenges such as the global pandemic, inflation, and higher tariffs. Sales have steadily increased, with a notable boost in recent years due to the shift to online shopping and inflation driving more shoppers to seek value.

Milestones and Challenges

Walmart is on track to post annual revenues of over $700 billion for the first time. However, it may soon lose its title as the largest retailer to Amazon. Amazon's diverse business mix, which includes cloud computing, advertising, and seller services, gives it a competitive edge.

Competitors' Performance

Costco has also seen impressive gains, with shares up over 700% during McMillon's tenure. In contrast, Walmart's supermarket competitors, Kroger and Albertsons, have lagged behind. Kroger's shares have climbed 265%, while Albertsons' have only risen by 16%. Albertsons went public later, and a proposed merger with Kroger was blocked by a U.S. judge.

Leadership Transition

McMillon will step down as CEO but will remain as executive chairman and advisor. His successor, John Furner, faces a tough task in maintaining Walmart's impressive performance. Furner has been a key player in the company's success as CEO of Walmart's U.S. business.