Moran Wealth Management LLC Boosts Stake in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT)

Moran Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) by 0.2% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 161,415 shares of the retailer’s stock after buying an additional 260 shares during the quarter. Moran Wealth Management LLC’s holdings in Walmart were worth $14,584,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Main Street Research LLC increased its position in shares of Walmart by 26.7% during the fourth quarter. Main Street Research LLC now owns 15,046 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $1,363,000 after purchasing an additional 3,172 shares in the last quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank raised its holdings in Walmart by 5.2% during the fourth quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 2,000,387 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $180,735,000 after purchasing an additional 99,537 shares in the last quarter. NBT Bank N A NY lifted its holdings in Walmart by 0.8% in the fourth quarter. NBT Bank N A NY now owns 133,746 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $12,084,000 after acquiring an additional 1,052 shares during the period. Taika Capital LP acquired a new stake in shares of Walmart in the fourth quarter valued at about $742,000. Finally, Saybrook Capital NC purchased a new stake in shares of Walmart during the 4th quarter worth approximately $260,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 26.76% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on WMT shares. Citigroup reissued a “positive” rating on shares of Walmart in a report on Thursday, February 20th. Tigress Financial increased their target price on shares of Walmart from $86.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, December 13th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $115.00 price objective (up previously from $106.00) on shares of Walmart in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Evercore ISI lifted their price objective on Walmart from $94.00 to $96.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 3rd. Finally, BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on Walmart from $80.00 to $100.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, November 18th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, thirty have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Walmart currently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $103.07.

Insider Activity at Walmart

In related news, EVP John D. Rainey sold 38,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $98.80, for a total value of $3,754,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 257,281 shares in the company, valued at $25,419,362.80. This trade represents a 12.87 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO C Douglas Mcmillon sold 29,124 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $92.35, for a total value of $2,689,601.40. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 3,785,702 shares in the company, valued at $349,609,579.70. The trade was a 0.76 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 185,777 shares of company stock valued at $17,657,316. Corporate insiders own 45.58% of the company’s stock.

Walmart Stock Performance

WMT opened at $91.68 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40. Walmart Inc. has a 1-year low of $58.56 and a 1-year high of $105.30. The company has a market cap of $736.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.04, a PEG ratio of 4.42 and a beta of 0.53. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $96.19 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $88.44.

Walmart (NYSE:WMT) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 20th. The retailer reported $0.66 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.64 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $180.55 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $178.83 billion. Walmart had a return on equity of 21.87% and a net margin of 2.85%. On average, analysts expect that Walmart Inc. will post 2.55 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Walmart Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 5th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 12th will be issued a dividend of $0.235 per share. This represents a $0.94 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.03%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 12th. Walmart’s payout ratio is 39.00%.

Walmart Profile

Walmart Inc engages in the operation of retail, wholesale, other units, and eCommerce worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sam's Club. It operates supercenters, supermarkets, hypermarkets, warehouse clubs, cash and carry stores, and discount stores under Walmart and Walmart Neighborhood Market brands; membership-only warehouse clubs; ecommerce websites, such as walmart.com.mx, walmart.ca, flipkart.com, PhonePe and other sites; and mobile commerce applications.