A employee carries bananas contained in the Walmart Supercenter in North Bergen, New Jersey.
Eduardo Munoz Alvarez | AP
Walmart introduced a three-for-one stock split on Tuesday as the retailer’s shares sit simply below their all-time high.
The firm mentioned the extra shares will likely be payable after the market closes Feb. 23 to shareholders of document as of the day prior to this. Walmart’s stock will begin buying and selling on a post-split foundation Feb. 26.
Walmart mentioned it selected to interrupt up shares partially to permit extra staff to purchase into its stock buy plan. The firm “felt it was a great time to split the stock and encourage our associates to take part within the years to come back,” CEO Doug McMillon mentioned in a press release.
Walmart shares rose about 1% in prolonged buying and selling.
The big-box retailer thrived within the final yr as a lot of its rivals stagnated. As the most important grocer within the U.S., it might face up to pressures on discretionary spending that tripped up opponents.
Walmart’s gross sales climbed to $160.80 billion in the third quarter, a roughly 5% improve from the earlier yr. The firm plans to report earnings for the vacation quarter subsequent month.
The stock closed Tuesday at $165.59, shy of the all-time high of $169.94 it hit in November. Walmart shares have climbed about 5% this yr.
The firm has executed 11 two-for-one stock splits in its historical past. The most up-to-date got here in 1999.
The stock split comes as Walmart tries to spice up worker advantages and loyalty. Earlier this month, the company said it will improve retailer supervisor wages to a median of $128,000 per yr and alter its bonus program to make managers eligible for a bonus of as much as 200% of their base wage.
Don’t miss these tales from CNBC PRO: