The Walton family owns roughly 46% of Walmart through Walton Enterprises LLC and the Walton Family Holdings Trust, with institutional and retail investors holding the rest. John Furner became President and CEO on February 1, 2026, succeeding Doug McMillon after his decade in the role.
Key Walmart Statistics
- Walmart reported $713.16 billion in revenue for fiscal year 2026, up 4.7% year over year.
- The Walton family controls about 46% of Walmart’s outstanding shares as of mid-2026.
- Walmart’s market cap crossed $1 trillion in February 2026, a first for any traditional retailer.
- The company employs roughly 2.1 million associates across more than 10,900 stores in 19 countries.
- Walton Family Holdings Trust sold over 34 million shares between June 2025 and June 2026.
Who Owns Walmart?
Walmart trades on Nasdaq under the ticker WMT after its December 2025 transfer from the NYSE. The Walton family holds about 46% of outstanding shares, with the balance split between institutional and retail investors.
Walton Enterprises LLC and the Walton Family Holdings Trust together account for the bulk of family ownership. Vanguard, BlackRock, and State Street rank as the largest institutional holders. Walmart’s fiscal 2026 performance figures show how that ownership translates into market influence.
Walmart Origin, Founders and Early Years
Sam Walton opened the first Walmart in Rogers, Arkansas, on July 2, 1962, after years running Ben Franklin variety franchises. His brother James “Bud” Walton joined as a partner.
Founding Vision
Walton focused on rural markets that big-city retailers ignored, betting on volume over per-item profit margins.
Early Expansion
The family operated 24 stores by 1967, recording $12.7 million in sales across Arkansas.
Public Listing
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. incorporated in 1969 and held its initial public offering on October 1, 1970, raising capital from 300,000 shares.
Largest Shareholders of Walmart
Walton Family Holdings Trust
- Holds over 500 million WMT shares directly
- Filed as a 10% owner with the SEC
- Sold 34.4 million shares in the past 12 months
Walton Enterprises LLC
- Main family holding vehicle for the Walton heirs
- Accounts for the largest single ownership block
- Combined with the trust, supports the family’s 46% stake
Vanguard Group
- Largest institutional shareholder at roughly 6% of outstanding shares
- Holds the stake mostly through index funds and ETFs
BlackRock Inc.
- Second-largest institutional holder at about 5%
- Position is spread across iShares ETFs and active funds
State Street Corporation
- Holds approximately 3% of Walmart’s outstanding shares
- Position concentrated in SPDR ETF products
Who Is on the Board of Directors for Walmart?
Walton Family and Chair
Married to Carrie Walton; also CEO of the Denver Broncos.
Grandson of Sam Walton; chairman of Game Aerospace.
Executive Leadership
Joined Walmart as an hourly associate; took the CEO role on February 1, 2026.
Technology and Innovation
Founder and CEO of Dazzle AI; former CEO of Yahoo.
CFO of OpenAI; previously CFO of Block (Square) and CEO of Nextdoor.
CEO of Superhuman Labs; joined the board in January 2026.
Finance, Operations and Strategy
Former CEO of American Airlines.
Senior client advisor at Morgan Stanley.
Chairman of NBCUniversal News Group.
Retired chairman and CEO of AT&T.
Retired global chairman of PwC; incoming Audit Committee Chair.
Walmart Mission Statement
Walmart’s mission is “to save people money so they can live better.” The phrase ties directly back to Sam Walton, who built the original Wal-Mart Discount City on a promise of lower prices than competitors charged.
The company pairs the mission with a vision: to be the destination for customers to save money no matter how they want to shop. Four core values guide internal operations, including service to the customer, respect for the individual, and acting with integrity.
CEO John Furner has linked Walmart’s AI investments and supply chain spending to the same six-decade-old goal, calling it a people-led, tech-powered approach.
How Did Walmart Get Its Name?
The “Walmart” name came from Bob Bogle, Sam Walton’s assistant and the first manager of Walton’s Five and Dime in Bentonville. Walton handed Bogle a card with several three- or four-word options for the new chain.
Bogle wrote “WALMART” on the back instead. His pitch was practical: fewer letters meant cheaper signage. Walton kept the note without comment.
A few days later, the sign maker was already mounting “W-A-L” on the storefront roof in Rogers. The legal corporate name read Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. from 1969. The company dropped the hyphen and rebranded as Walmart Inc. in 2008.
Walmart Products and Services
Grocery and Fresh
- Largest grocer in the United States by sales
- Walmart U.S. segment recorded $483 billion in FY2026
- Holds 28.4% of US grocery e-commerce sales
General Merchandise
- Apparel, electronics, home goods, toys, and pharmacy
- Private brands include Great Value and Equate
- Sold in both Supercenters and Walmart Neighborhood Markets
Walmart+ Membership
- Around 28.4 million paid subscribers
- Free same-day shipping and fuel discounts
- Bundled with Paramount+ streaming
Walmart Connect Advertising
- FY2026 ad revenue reached $6.4 billion, up 46% year over year
- Competes with major e-commerce ad platforms
- Includes onsite, offsite, and connected TV inventory via Vizio
Sam’s Club
- Membership warehouse format with $93.01 billion in FY2026 sales
- Operates in the United States, Mexico, and China
- Competes with Costco in the warehouse club segment
International Operations
- $130.42 billion in FY2026 sales, up 7% year over year
- Active in 19 countries, including Mexico, Canada, and China
- Local partnerships include the Straight Talk wireless arrangement
FAQs
What is Walmart’s market cap in 2026?
Walmart’s market capitalization sits near $932 billion as of mid-June 2026. The company crossed $1 trillion briefly in February 2026, the first time any traditional retailer reached that mark. Shares trade on Nasdaq under WMT.
Who owns Walmart?
The Walton family controls about 46% of Walmart through Walton Enterprises LLC and the Walton Family Holdings Trust. Institutional investors including Vanguard, BlackRock, and State Street hold most of the remainder. Walmart is a publicly traded company on Nasdaq.
Is Walmart an American company?
Yes. Walmart Inc. is headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas, and was founded in 1962 by Sam Walton. The company is incorporated in Delaware and trades publicly on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker WMT.
When did Walmart come out?
Sam Walton opened the first Walmart store on July 2, 1962, in Rogers, Arkansas. The company incorporated as Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. in 1969 and held its initial public offering on October 1, 1970, before listing on the NYSE in 1972.
Is Walmart still operational?
Yes. Walmart operates more than 10,900 stores across 19 countries and employs roughly 2.1 million associates. The company reported $713 billion in fiscal 2026 revenue and serves approximately 280 million customers and members each week.
What is the net worth of Walmart?
Walmart’s market capitalization stands at roughly $932 billion as of June 2026, with fiscal 2026 revenue of $713 billion. The Walton family’s combined wealth tied to Walmart shares exceeds $400 billion, ranking among the world’s largest family fortunes.
