Macy's (M) vs Walmart (WMT)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Macy's (M) has outperformed Walmart (WMT) over the past year, gaining 28.2% versus a gain of 7.4%. Over five years, WMT leads with a +130.9% price change compared with -5.2% for M. Walmart is the larger company by market cap ($879.85 billion vs $5.95 billion), about 147.8 times the size.
On valuation, Macy's trades at a lower forward P/E (9.5x vs 34.3x for Walmart). Macy's offers the higher dividend yield (3.28% vs 0.87%). Walmart converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 3.1% versus 2.8%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | M | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $22.79 | $110.56 |
| Market cap | $5.95B | $879.85B |
| 1-day change | 0.00% | +2.22% |
| YTD return | +3.36% | -0.76% |
| 1-year return | +28.25% | +7.44% |
| 5-year return | -5.20% | +130.86% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 8.35 | 40.06 |
| Forward P/E | 9.53 | 34.30 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.73 | $2.76 |
| Dividend yield | 3.28% | 0.87% |
| Annual dividend | $0.748 | $0.965 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $22.62B | $713.16B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -1.67% | +4.73% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $642.00M | $21.89B |
| Gross margin | 40.33% | 24.93% |
| Operating margin | 4.55% | 4.18% |
| Net margin | 2.84% | 3.07% |
| 52-week high | $26.59 | $135.16 |
| 52-week low | $16.41 | $98.88 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -14.29% | -18.20% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +2.50% | +14.67% |
| Average volume | 5.75M | 23.63M |
| Shares outstanding | 261.18M | 7.96B |
| Employees | 90,134 | 2,100,000 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Department/Specialty Retail Stores | Department/Specialty Retail Stores |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Walmart is about 147.8 times larger than Macy's by market value ($879.85B vs $5.95B).
- M has outperformed WMT by 20.8 percentage points over the past year.
- Walmart trades at a higher earnings multiple (40.1x vs 8.3x trailing P/E).
- Macy's offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.28% vs 0.87%).
- Walmart grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+4.73% vs -1.67%).
About Macy's
M stock →Macy's, Inc., an omni-channel retail organization, operates stores, websites, and mobile applications in the United States. The company sells various merchandise, such as apparel and accessories for men, women, and kids; cosmetics; home furnishings; and other consumer goods under the Macy's, Bloomingdale's, and Bluemercury brands.
Consumer Discretionary · Department/Specialty Retail Stores · 90,134 employees
About Walmart
WMT stock →Walmart Inc. engages in the operation of retail and wholesale stores and clubs, ecommerce websites, and mobile applications worldwide.
Consumer Discretionary · Department/Specialty Retail Stores · 2,100,000 employees
M vs WMT FAQ
Which is bigger, Macy's or Walmart?
Walmart (WMT) is larger, with a market capitalization of $879.85B compared with $5.95B for Macy's (M).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, M or WMT?
M returned +28.25% over the past 12 months, compared with +7.44% for WMT (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, M or WMT?
M has the lower trailing P/E at 8.3, versus 40.1 for WMT. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Macy's or Walmart?
Macy's has the higher yield at 3.28%, compared with 0.87% for Walmart.
Are Macy's and Walmart in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Department/Specialty Retail Stores industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.