BENTONVILLE, AR – Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) shares posted a solid gain on Thursday, but a story of two halves played out on the market, leaving investors with mixed signals ahead of next week’s trading.
The retail behemoth closed the session at
1.25 (1.30%). The day began with strong bullish momentum, as the stock gapped up from its previous close and surged from an open of $96.32 to a midday high of $97.76.
However, the buying pressure that characterized the morning session dissipated in the afternoon. After hitting its peak, the stock entered a prolonged period of consolidation, drifting sideways and failing to re-test its highs. A sharp but brief dip around 4:00 PM was quickly bought up, but the stock was unable to regain any upward momentum, trading flat for the final two hours of the session. A slight dip in after-hours trading further underscored the stalled momentum.
Outlook for Monday:
The intraday chart suggests a market in equilibrium after a strong move. While the bulls were clearly in control during the morning, the bears (or at least, profit-takers) successfully halted the advance in the afternoon. The stock’s ability to hold onto most of its gains is a positive sign, but the flat, uninspired close is a point of caution.
The forecast for Monday is for a period of consolidation and potential choppiness. The market is likely to open with uncertainty as it digests Thursday’s action. A flat to slightly lower open is probable as the immediate momentum from the close was neutral at best.
Investors should watch for the stock to either break above Thursday’s high of $97.76, signaling a continuation of the uptrend, or fall below the support established around the $97 level, which could indicate a pullback is imminent. Monday’s session will be a key test to see which direction Walmart takes next.
Disclaimer: This article is based on an analysis of the provided image and represents an interpretation of market data. It is not financial advice. Stock market performance is subject to volatility and numerous external factors.
