Walmart could reach $1 trillion capitalization through integration with ChatGPT - Mizuho

The capitalization of Walmart, the largest U.S. retailer, could reach $1 trillion thanks to the company's partnership with OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT artificial intelligence, Mizuho analyst David Bellinger said. His note was quoted by Bloomberg. A day earlier, Walmart announced that ChatGPT will feature the ability to buy items from the retailer's inventory.

The deal with OpenAI adds optimism to the already positive situation around Walmart shares, despite lingering doubts about the state of the U.S. economy, said Bellinger. His rating for the retailer's stock is Buy.

"Even in a sluggish economy, stocks can show growth," he emphasized. - And when combined with Walmart's early and emerging initiatives, it becomes a must-have position in the consumer sector"

Shares of Walmart in trading on Wednesday, October 15, updated the record, rising by 2.2% - up to $109.56. The company's capitalization on Wednesday was about $869 billion. On Tuesday, after the announcement of the partnership, the securities jumped 5%, which was their best growth for the day since April.

According to Mizuho, Walmart is "clearly ahead of the curve" in integrating artificial intelligence, while other retailers are either slow to adapt or trying to lock down AI tools altogether. He called the deal with OpenAI "a critical step toward the adoption and accelerated adoption of agent-based commerce."

Now only 11 companies have a market capitalization above $1 trillion. Of those, only two - Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway and Saudi Aramco, the Saudi state oil company - are not in the technology sector, Bloomberg noted.

The agreement with OpenAI underscores Walmart's ability to "stay on the cutting edge of technology," Citigroup analyst Paul Legier said in a Bloomberg statement. While OpenAI has other partners in retail, such as Etsy and Shopify, the collaboration with Walmart is "unique," the analyst said.

"The market has recognized the benefits of Walmart's unique combination of technology and classic retail model," John Zolidis, president and founder of Quo Vadis Capital, told Bloomberg.

Walmart shares have been steadily appreciating over the past three years as the retailer continues to win back market share, including through low prices that attract bargain-oriented shoppers, Bloomberg writes. After rising more than 11% in 2023, the company added nearly 72% in 2024, its best performance since 1998. The stock is up more than 20% since the start of 2025.

This article was AI-translated and verified by a human editor