Walmart will replace British drugmaker AstraZeneca in the Nasdaq-100 Index on January 20, the exchange operator announced on January 9. This significant index change follows the retail giant's November decision to shift its longtime listing from the New York Stock Exchange to its main rival, Nasdaq.

Index Transition Details

The transition will affect multiple Nasdaq indices before market open on January 20:

Reasons for Exchange Migration

Companies typically change listing venues for several strategic reasons. These include seeking better alignment with an exchange's investor base, technology and services, or pursuing cost reductions tied to listing and compliance requirements. The decision reflects a broader trend of companies evaluating their listing strategies to optimize market positioning.

Nasdaq-100 Index Appeal

Some companies that transferred from NYSE to Nasdaq in 2025 cited the attractiveness of the Nasdaq-100 index as a key motivating factor. The index includes 100 of the most valuable non-financial companies listed on Nasdaq, featuring prominent technology giants such as Nvidia and Apple. This prestigious index membership can enhance visibility among institutional investors and technology-focused investment funds.

Market Impact

The exchange transition represents a notable shift for Walmart, which maintained its NYSE listing for decades. The move to Nasdaq aligns the retail giant with an exchange known for its technology focus and modern trading infrastructure, potentially providing enhanced market access and operational efficiencies.

Walmart will replace British drugmaker AstraZeneca in the Nasdaq-100 Index on January 20, the exchange operator announced on Friday. This significant index change follows the retail giant's decision in November to shift its longtime listing from the New York Stock Exchange to its main rival, Nasdaq.

Index Inclusion Details

The transition will be comprehensive, with Walmart joining multiple Nasdaq indices simultaneously. The company will be included in three key indices before market open on January 20:

Market Context and Rationale

Companies typically change listing venues when they identify better alignment with an exchange's investor base, technology and services, or when they seek to reduce costs tied to listing and compliance. The attractiveness of the Nasdaq-100 index has been cited as a key reason by several companies that transferred from NYSE to Nasdaq in 2025.

The Nasdaq-100 index includes 100 of the most valuable non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq exchange, featuring prominent technology giants such as Nvidia and Apple. This prestigious index positioning provides companies with enhanced visibility among institutional investors and index fund inclusion.

Recent Market Performance

Current US market data shows mixed performance across major indices. Top gainers in the S&P 500 include Builders FirstSource at 124.66 (up 12.01%), Intel at 45.55 (up 10.80%), and Vistra at 166.37 (up 10.47%). Meanwhile, notable decliners include Las Vegas Sands at 58.95 (down 4.77%) and CoStar Group at 58.49 (down 4.68%).

This index reshuffling represents a significant milestone for Walmart as it transitions to its new exchange home and gains access to the influential Nasdaq-100 index ecosystem.