12 Best Stocks to Buy for the Long Term

4. Walmart Inc. (NASDAQ:WMT)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 104

5-Year Average Revenue Growth: 5.17%

5-Year Return: 154.4%

On January 23, Tigress Financial raised its price target on Walmart Inc. (NASDAQ:WMT) to $135 from $130 while maintaining a Buy rating. The firm said Walmart is making greater use of artificial intelligence and automation to improve the customer experience and support faster revenue growth.

In a separate update, Walmart said on January 28 that it has promoted about 3,000 pharmacy technician roles into operations team lead positions as part of its push to expand digital and pharmacy-based healthcare services, according to Reuters. The move raises average hourly pay for those roles to $28 from $22. Walmart also said pharmacy technicians will now be eligible to earn as much as $40.50 an hour.

The changes are aimed at boosting staffing levels and strengthening local pharmacy teams across Walmart’s roughly 4,600 locations, as the company rolls out more digital health offerings. These include Better Care Services, access to Eli Lilly’s LillyDirect program, and expanded pharmacy delivery. Walmart said the new team leads will help manage day-to-day pharmacy operations and support pharmacy managers and pharmacists, with total pay potential reaching $42 an hour, excluding bonuses, depending on location.

The company also raised its full-year outlook for the second time in November after delivering another strong quarter, driven by a sharp increase in online sales. Faster delivery options have helped Walmart attract higher-income shoppers, adding to momentum across its digital business.

Walmart Inc. (NASDAQ:WMT) is a technology-driven omnichannel retailer, operating a vast network of retail and wholesale stores and clubs alongside its e-commerce platforms and mobile apps.