Amazon vs Walmart (AMZN vs WMT)
Amazon (AMZN) vs Walmart (WMT) in plain English: P/E, growth, margins, debt and dividend side by side, key differences and which fits each investor profile.
Amazon (AMZN) and Walmart (WMT) compete in retail. Here are Amazon and Walmart side by side with their real figures as of November 4, 2026: what sets them apart, which fits each kind of investor and the most common questions, without telling you whether to buy Amazon or Walmart.
Amazon vs Walmart: the figures
| Figure | Amazon | Walmart |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $266.03 (November 4, 2026) | $129.17 (November 4, 2026) |
| Market cap | $2.88 trillion | $1.03 trillion |
| P/E (TTM) | 21.5x | 46.8x |
| Forward P/E | 24.4x | 40.0x |
| Revenue growth (quarter) | +12.1% | +5.9% |
| Net margin (TTM) | 16.9% | 3.0% |
| Net debt / EBITDA | 1.0x | 1.4x |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.79% |
| Beta | 1.50 | 0.53 |
Amazon and Walmart figures from Yahoo Finance, the same source the Fintols analysis uses, retrieved on November 4, 2026; N/A means that Amazon or Walmart figure is not available, and we never estimate it.
3 key differences between Amazon and Walmart
- Valuation: Walmart trades at 46.8x its annual earnings and Amazon at 21.5x; the market pays more for each dollar of Walmart profit, usually because it expects more growth.
- Profitability: for every 100 of sales, Amazon keeps 16.9 as net profit and Walmart keeps 3.0.
- Volatility: Amazon stock moves more (beta 1.50) than Walmart (beta 0.53); the higher the beta, the more it amplifies market swings.
Amazon or Walmart: which fits your profile
- If you want growth: Amazon is growing faster today, so it fits better with investors who put business growth first, usually accepting a higher P/E and a bumpier ride.
- If you want income (dividends): Walmart pays the higher dividend relative to its price.
- If you prefer caution: Amazon has less debt relative to its profit, which usually gives more room in a bad year.
- If price is what matters most to you: Amazon trades on the lower P/E; check first whether that is an opportunity or a sign of a business that grows less.
Neither Amazon nor Walmart wins on everything, and owning both is also an option: spreading money across several companies or an index fund reduces what rides on each one.
How Amazon and Walmart make money
Amazon (AMZN)
Amazon reports three segments. North America, its largest by sales, and International include its online store, fees from third-party sellers, advertising and subscriptions like Prime. AWS, its cloud computing arm, sells storage, computing and AI services to businesses and generates most of the company's operating profit. Full Amazon analysis.
Walmart (WMT)
Walmart reports three segments: Walmart U.S., the largest, with supercenters where groceries are the top category; Walmart International, including Walmex in Mexico, Flipkart in India and operations in Canada and China; and Sam's Club membership warehouses. It also earns from e-commerce, advertising and the Walmart+ subscription. Full Walmart analysis.
Frequently asked questions: Amazon vs Walmart
Is Amazon or Walmart the better stock?
Choosing between Amazon and Walmart depends on what you are looking for. Amazon is growing faster right now, and Amazon trades on the lower P/E. Fintols does not tell you whether to buy Amazon or Walmart: it shows you the differences so you can decide.
Which pays a higher dividend, Amazon or Walmart?
As of November 4, 2026, Walmart yields 0.79% and Amazon pays none. Also check how much of their profit Amazon and Walmart pay out: if it is more than they earn, it cannot last.
Which is more expensive, Amazon or Walmart?
On P/E, Walmart (46.8x) is more expensive than Amazon (21.5x) as of November 4, 2026. A higher P/E can be justified if earnings grow faster, so compare it with each company's growth in the table.
Can I own both Amazon and Walmart?
Yes. Many people spread their money across several companies, such as Amazon and Walmart, or use index funds so they do not depend on just one. If you are starting out, decide how much you want to invest and for how long before buying Amazon or Walmart.
More comparisons with Amazon or Walmart
More companies like Amazon and Walmart: retail stocks. Educational content about Amazon and Walmart, not investment advice.