Return on Equity (ROE)
since 2005
Calculation
Walmart Inc., ROE, long-term trends, calculation
| ROE | = | 100 | × | Consolidated net income attributable to Walmart1 | ÷ | Total Walmart shareholders’ equity1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 31, 2025 | 21.36% | = | 100 | × | 19,436) | ÷ | 91,013) |
| Jan 31, 2024 | 18.50% | = | 100 | × | 15,511) | ÷ | 83,861) |
| Jan 31, 2023 | 15.23% | = | 100 | × | 11,680) | ÷ | 76,693) |
| Jan 31, 2022 | 16.42% | = | 100 | × | 13,673) | ÷ | 83,253) |
| Jan 31, 2021 | 16.69% | = | 100 | × | 13,510) | ÷ | 80,925) |
| Jan 31, 2020 | 19.93% | = | 100 | × | 14,881) | ÷ | 74,669) |
| Jan 31, 2019 | 9.20% | = | 100 | × | 6,670) | ÷ | 72,496) |
| Jan 31, 2018 | 12.66% | = | 100 | × | 9,862) | ÷ | 77,869) |
| Jan 31, 2017 | 17.54% | = | 100 | × | 13,643) | ÷ | 77,798) |
| Jan 31, 2016 | 18.24% | = | 100 | × | 14,694) | ÷ | 80,546) |
| Jan 31, 2015 | 20.10% | = | 100 | × | 16,363) | ÷ | 81,394) |
| Jan 31, 2014 | 21.01% | = | 100 | × | 16,022) | ÷ | 76,255) |
| Jan 31, 2013 | 22.27% | = | 100 | × | 16,999) | ÷ | 76,343) |
| Jan 31, 2012 | 22.01% | = | 100 | × | 15,699) | ÷ | 71,315) |
| Jan 31, 2011 | 23.91% | = | 100 | × | 16,389) | ÷ | 68,542) |
| Jan 31, 2010 | 20.26% | = | 100 | × | 14,335) | ÷ | 70,749) |
| Jan 31, 2009 | 20.53% | = | 100 | × | 13,400) | ÷ | 65,285) |
| Jan 31, 2008 | 19.70% | = | 100 | × | 12,731) | ÷ | 64,608) |
| Jan 31, 2007 | 18.33% | = | 100 | × | 11,284) | ÷ | 61,573) |
| Jan 31, 2006 | 21.12% | = | 100 | × | 11,231) | ÷ | 53,171) |
| Jan 31, 2005 | 20.79% | = | 100 | × | 10,267) | ÷ | 49,396) |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-01-31).
1 US$ in millions
The financial data indicates several notable trends over the presented periods in terms of net income, shareholders’ equity, and return on equity (ROE).
- Consolidated Net Income
- The net income shows an overall fluctuating pattern with periods of growth and decline. From 2005 to 2011, there was a general upward trend, peaking around 2011 with $16,389 million. Beginning in 2012, net income fluctuated with a noticeable decline between 2013 and 2019, reaching a low of $6,670 million in 2019. Subsequently, there was a recovery starting in 2020, with net income rising significantly to $19,436 million by 2025, suggesting improved profitability in recent years.
- Total Walmart Shareholders’ Equity
- Shareholders’ equity exhibited a consistent upward trend from 2005 to 2025, starting at $49,396 million and increasing to $91,013 million. Despite minor fluctuations in certain years, the long-term trajectory shows growth in the equity base, indicating strengthening financial stability and asset accumulation over the period analyzed.
- Return on Equity (ROE)
- ROE remained relatively strong throughout most of the period but with a downward trend until 2019. Initially, ROE was above 20% from 2005 to around 2011, peaking at 23.91%. After 2011, it progressively declined to a low of 9.2% in 2019. From 2020 onward, ROE improved again, reaching over 21% by 2025. The fluctuations in ROE reflect changes in profitability relative to equity and coincide with the net income trends observed.
- Summary of Relationships
- The period of declining net income and ROE from 2013 to 2019 reflects a phase of reduced profitability, despite the generally increasing equity base. The subsequent recovery in net income and ROE beginning in 2020 aligns with renewed profitability and more effective utilization of shareholders’ equity. The growth in shareholders’ equity throughout suggests ongoing investment and capital retention, supporting long-term financial strength.
Comparison to Competitors
Walmart Inc., ROE, long-term trends, comparison to competitors
| Walmart Inc. | Costco Wholesale Corp. | Target Corp. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 31, 2025 | 21.36% | — | 27.89% |
| Jan 31, 2024 | 18.50% | 31.19% | 30.81% |
| Jan 31, 2023 | 15.23% | 25.11% | 24.75% |
| Jan 31, 2022 | 16.42% | 28.31% | 54.15% |
| Jan 31, 2021 | 16.69% | 28.51% | 30.25% |
| Jan 31, 2020 | 19.93% | 21.89% | 27.73% |
| Jan 31, 2019 | 9.20% | 24.00% | 26.00% |
| Jan 31, 2018 | 12.66% | 24.49% | 25.06% |
| Jan 31, 2017 | 17.54% | 24.86% | 24.99% |
| Jan 31, 2016 | 18.24% | 19.46% | 25.96% |
| Jan 31, 2015 | 20.10% | 22.39% | -11.69% |
| Jan 31, 2014 | 21.01% | 16.73% | 12.14% |
| Jan 31, 2013 | 22.27% | 18.82% | 18.11% |
| Jan 31, 2012 | 22.01% | 13.83% | 18.51% |
| Jan 31, 2011 | 23.91% | 12.18% | 18.85% |
| Jan 31, 2010 | 20.26% | 12.03% | 16.21% |
| Jan 31, 2009 | 20.53% | 10.83% | 16.15% |
| Jan 31, 2008 | 19.70% | 13.95% | 18.61% |
| Jan 31, 2007 | 18.33% | 12.56% | 17.83% |
| Jan 31, 2006 | 21.12% | 12.07% | 16.95% |
| Jan 31, 2005 | 20.79% | 11.97% | 24.55% |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-01-31).
Comparison to Sector (Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail)
Walmart Inc., ROE, long-term trends, comparison to sector (consumer staples distribution & retail)
| Walmart Inc. | Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail | |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 31, 2025 | 21.36% | — |
| Jan 31, 2024 | 18.50% | 22.34% |
| Jan 31, 2023 | 15.23% | 18.37% |
| Jan 31, 2022 | 16.42% | 22.67% |
| Jan 31, 2021 | 16.69% | 20.26% |
| Jan 31, 2020 | 19.93% | 21.15% |
| Jan 31, 2019 | 9.20% | 13.40% |
| Jan 31, 2018 | 12.66% | 15.56% |
| Jan 31, 2017 | 17.54% | 19.15% |
| Jan 31, 2016 | 18.24% | 19.33% |
| Jan 31, 2015 | 20.10% | 16.13% |
| Jan 31, 2014 | 21.01% | 19.13% |
| Jan 31, 2013 | 22.27% | 21.24% |
| Jan 31, 2012 | 22.01% | 20.44% |
| Jan 31, 2011 | 23.91% | 21.63% |
| Jan 31, 2010 | 20.26% | 18.70% |
| Jan 31, 2009 | 20.53% | 18.76% |
| Jan 31, 2008 | 19.70% | 18.92% |
| Jan 31, 2007 | 18.33% | 17.66% |
| Jan 31, 2006 | 21.12% | 19.27% |
| Jan 31, 2005 | 20.79% | 20.37% |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-01-31).
Comparison to Industry (Consumer Staples)
Walmart Inc., ROE, long-term trends, comparison to industry (consumer staples)
| Walmart Inc. | Consumer Staples | |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 31, 2025 | 21.36% | — |
| Jan 31, 2024 | 18.50% | 32.18% |
| Jan 31, 2023 | 15.23% | 30.71% |
| Jan 31, 2022 | 16.42% | 32.10% |
| Jan 31, 2021 | 16.69% | 31.40% |
| Jan 31, 2020 | 19.93% | 30.98% |
| Jan 31, 2019 | 9.20% | 22.71% |
| Jan 31, 2018 | 12.66% | 28.05% |
| Jan 31, 2017 | 17.54% | 25.14% |
| Jan 31, 2016 | 18.24% | 25.00% |
| Jan 31, 2015 | 20.10% | 23.15% |
| Jan 31, 2014 | 21.01% | 23.21% |
| Jan 31, 2013 | 22.27% | 24.09% |
| Jan 31, 2012 | 22.01% | 23.55% |
| Jan 31, 2011 | 23.91% | 23.75% |
| Jan 31, 2010 | 20.26% | 24.19% |
| Jan 31, 2009 | 20.53% | 23.20% |
| Jan 31, 2008 | 19.70% | 22.49% |
| Jan 31, 2007 | 18.33% | 18.15% |
| Jan 31, 2006 | 21.12% | 18.58% |
| Jan 31, 2005 | 20.79% | 22.40% |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-01-31).