Walmart Stock Moves Higher: What's Going On?

Walmart Inc (NASDAQ:WMT) shares are climbing Monday. The company announced its holiday shopping schedule and a larger healthcare marketplace. Here’s what you should know.

• Walmart stock is taking a breather. Where are WMT shares going?

Walmart Sets Black Friday and Cyber Monday Dates

Holiday bargain hunters get an early start at Walmart. From Nov. 12 to Dec. 2, the retailer is holding three sales: early Black Friday on Nov. 12 to 15, Black Friday on Nov. 23 to 29 and online-only Cyber Monday on Nov. 30 to Dec. 2.

Walmart.com deals start at 12:01 a.m. ET, while stores open for the two Black Friday events at 6 a.m. local time.

Walmart+ subscribers move to the front of the line. Hot deal drops open to them at 12:01 a.m. ET on Nov. 12 and Nov. 23, a day ahead of everyone else, and some online-only deals are theirs alone for the first 24 hours of both events. A $120-a-year bundle pairs Walmart+ with Sam’s Club Plus.

Price is the pitch, and Walmart’s research explains why: 60% of shoppers say gift costs shape their mood about the season, and 70% say lower prices would help. To answer that, the retailer promotes thousands of gifts under $20 and a Top Toys list with 25 toys under $25.

Walmart Expands Better Care Services With General Medicine

Separately, Walmart announced a bigger healthcare offering. Better Care Services, a marketplace of outside care providers that launched earlier this year, now includes a “healthcare store” experience powered by General Medicine.

General Medicine’s catalog lists its own services alongside those of more than 10 providers already on the platform, with more coming. Services range from urgent and pediatric care to mental health, nutrition and weight management.

The pitch is price transparency. Customers see estimated out-of-pocket costs tied to their insurance, plus cash prices when providers offer them, and can compare services by location, cost, availability and personal preferences before booking.

“Healthcare needs a store,” General Medicine CEO TJ Parker said. Ralph Clare, Walmart U.S. executive vice president of health and wellness, said the move gathers more care options in one place so customers can compare choices and take the next step.

WMT Shares Are Rising

WMT Price Action: Walmart shares were up 0.36% at $120.32 at the time of publication on Monday, according to Benzinga Pro.

Walmart is pushing higher within a rebound that has carried it back above its 200-day moving average. The stock peaked at $135.16 on May 19, slid to $102.15 on Aug. 21, and has since worked back to $120.36. Monday’s action is another step higher in that recovery.

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