Walmart Joins the Nasdaq-100 on January 20, Replacing AstraZeneca

What happened

Nasdaq said $WMT (Walmart) will be added to the Nasdaq-100 on January 20, 2026, replacing $AZN (AstraZeneca). The change takes effect before the market opens, and Walmart will also be added to related Nasdaq-100 variants.

Why traders care

This is a classic “index inclusion” catalyst. Funds and ETFs that track the Nasdaq-100 must buy the new entrant and sell the company being removed around the effective date, which can create short-term, flow-driven price pressure and unusual volume.

Winners

Index inclusion and passive-flow tailwind

Nasdaq-100 trackers and benchmark-aware managers often need to buy the incoming stock into the rebalance window, supporting demand and volume.

Names: $WMT (Walmart), $AMZ ...