Nasdaq-100 reshuffle: Walmart set to join US stock market index; to replace AstraZeneca from January 20

Popular retail corporation Walmart is soon going to become a part of the Nasdaq-100 Index in the US, from January 20. It will replace British pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca. This comes after a decision by Walmart in November to move its listing to Nasdaq after conducting business on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) for a long time.The change will see Walmart become part of the Nasdaq-100 Index, which features top non-financial companies like Nvidia and Apple. The retailer will also join the Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index and the Nasdaq-100 Ex-Tech Sector Index when markets open on January 20, as per a company statement, cited by Reuters.Companies often make such decisions in order to better connect with different groups of investors, or in an attempt to minimise listing and compliance expenses. Improved technology and services from the new exchange platform could also be offered by the new exchange system.The main pull of the Nasdaq-100 Index has been a big attraction to several firms that switched from the NYSE to the Nasdaq Index in 2025. This index includes some of the world’s most valuable companies, making it an attractive destination for major corporations looking to enhance their market presence.