Walmart Joins Nasdaq 100, Replacing AstraZeneca

Walmart Inc. will be added to the Nasdaq 100 Index, a significant shift that will see AstraZeneca Plc removed. This change is scheduled to occur before the market opens on January 20th, following the US market closure on January 19th for a holiday. The inclusion of Walmart, which moved its stock listing to Nasdaq last year, is expected to drive substantial investment inflows.

Analysts projected that Walmart's addition to the index could attract approximately $19 billion in new investments as index funds and exchange-traded products adjust their portfolios. The Bentonville, Arkansas-based company has experienced substantial market value growth, nearing $1 trillion, fueled by consistent sales increases and its expanding digital operations.

AstraZeneca's departure from the index marks a retreat from its pandemic-era peak, driven by fading vaccine revenue. In contrast, Walmart's shares have seen robust growth, gaining 146% over the past three years. The Nasdaq 100, which comprises the largest non-financial companies on the Nasdaq exchange, underpins hundreds of billions in investment products.