Walmart Increases Annual Dividend by 13% to $0.94 Per Share
Bentonville, Arkansas, Thursday, 20 February 2025.
Walmart boosts its annual dividend to $0.94 per share, marking the 52nd consecutive year of increases, underscoring financial stability and commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Increase Details
Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) has announced a significant increase in its annual cash dividend for fiscal year 2026 [1]. The retail giant’s Board of Directors approved a dividend of $0.94 per share, representing a 13% increase from the previous fiscal year’s $0.83 per share [1]. The new dividend will be distributed in four quarterly installments of $0.235 per share, with the first payment scheduled for April 7, 2025 [1].
Strong Financial Performance
This dividend increase comes on the heels of robust financial results. Walmart reported fourth-quarter revenue of $180.6 billion, a 4.1% increase year-over-year [6], with global e-commerce sales growing 16% [6]. The company’s total revenue for fiscal year 2025 reached $681 billion [1], demonstrating sustained business growth. The company’s global advertising business showed particularly strong performance, growing by 27% to reach $4.4 billion [6].
Market Position and Future Outlook
Despite recent stock market fluctuations, with shares dropping following profit growth projections [3], Walmart maintains a strong market presence. The company serves approximately 270 million customers weekly across more than 10,750 stores in 19 countries [1]. For the upcoming fiscal year, Walmart projects net sales growth of 3% to 4%, with adjusted operating income expected to rise by 3.5% to 5.5% [3]. However, the company has noted potential headwinds, including a 1.5% impact from the Vizio acquisition and currency challenges [3].
Management’s Perspective
John David Rainey, Walmart’s executive vice president and chief financial officer, expressed confidence in the company’s trajectory, stating that the dividend increase reflects their ‘continued confidence in sustained business performance’ [1]. While acknowledging potential challenges from tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada, Rainey emphasized the company’s experience in managing such situations, noting their ability to work with suppliers and leverage private brands to maintain competitive pricing [3].