Deutsche Bank upgrades Walmart Inc. (WMT.US) to "Buy": price target jumps to $136, inflationary environment becomes a "tailwind" for share expansion

Walmart Inc. (WMT.US) shares drew investor attention after Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded the retailer from "Hold" to "Buy" and raised its price target from $113 to $136. According to reports, the bank believes Walmart Inc. stock faces a more favorable setup heading into 2027. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft said the current inflationary environment should reinforce Walmart Inc.'s value proposition and accelerate its market share gains. The bank also believes there is room for margin improvement as Walmart Inc.'s higher-margin businesses grow faster than its core retail operations. Walmart Inc. shares rose 2.3% in premarket trading on Thursday to about $118.77; the stock has gained more than 8% over the past week. According to Koyfin data, of the 43 analysts covering Walmart Inc., 37 have given a "Buy" or "Strong Buy" rating. Walmart Inc. Expands U.S. Employee Medical and Paid Leave Benefits Separately, Walmart Inc. announced new U.S. employee benefits on October 13 ahead of its 2027 benefits year. The changes include a $0 prescription drug tier covering more than 250 generic, brand-name, and specialty medications, including some insulins and inhalers; and free specialist evaluations for certain rare diseases under most medical plans. The rare disease program covers multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), with eligible employees and family members able to receive in-person specialist evaluations and treatment reviews at no cost. These benefits are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027. Walmart Inc. will also introduce up to 12 weeks of dedicated paid neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) leave for eligible employees starting November 17, 2026. It applies when a newborn is admitted to the NICU within 28 days of birth and is receiving inpatient treatment. "We're adding more ways to help you and your family live better through comprehensive and affordable health care and benefits," Chief Human Resources Officer Donna Morris wrote in a letter to employees. On Stocktwits, as of press time, retail sentiment on Walmart Inc. stock was "bearish," with message volume "high." Walmart Inc. was among the trending tickers on Stocktwits at the time. One bullish user said Walmart Inc. had risen from $112 to $114 and said the stock could next rise to $116 to $120, adding: "Take it slow." Another user said Walmart Inc. and Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares (BRK.B) were among the few stocks in positive territory. Walmart Inc. shares are up more than 4% year to date.