KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS Buys New Stake in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT)

KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS acquired a new stake in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 1,647,400 shares of the retailer’s stock, valued at approximately $149,132,000. Walmart makes up about 0.7% of KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS’s portfolio, making the stock its 20th largest position.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. AXQ Capital LP acquired a new stake in shares of Walmart during the fourth quarter worth about $811,000. Umpqua Bank boosted its stake in shares of Walmart by 14.4% during the fourth quarter. Umpqua Bank now owns 9,133 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $829,000 after buying an additional 1,152 shares during the period. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Walmart by 128.7% during the fourth quarter. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. now owns 16,597 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $1,500,000 after buying an additional 9,340 shares during the period. Intellus Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Walmart during the fourth quarter worth about $352,000. Finally, Sei Investments Co. boosted its stake in shares of Walmart by 1.3% during the fourth quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 1,626,563 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $146,960,000 after buying an additional 21,275 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 26.76% of the company’s stock.

Walmart Stock Performance

Walmart stock opened at $85.94 on Friday. Walmart Inc. has a 12-month low of $58.56 and a 12-month high of $105.30. The company has a market capitalization of $688.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.42 and a beta of 0.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40, a current ratio of 0.82 and a quick ratio of 0.23. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $95.19 and its 200 day moving average price is $88.95.

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

Walmart Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 5th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 12th will be given a $0.235 dividend. This represents a $0.94 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.09%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 12th. Walmart’s payout ratio is currently 39.00%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms recently issued reports on WMT. Telsey Advisory Group reissued an “outperform” rating on shares of Walmart in a report on Friday, February 28th. Truist Financial increased their price target on shares of Walmart from $98.00 to $111.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 11th. Citigroup reissued a “positive” rating on shares of Walmart in a report on Thursday, February 20th. KeyCorp increased their price target on shares of Walmart from $100.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, February 21st. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada cut their price target on shares of Walmart from $109.00 to $107.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 21st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirty have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $103.17.

Insider Transactions at Walmart

In other Walmart news, EVP Kathryn J. Mclay sold 4,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $85.95, for a total transaction of $343,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 888,309 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $76,350,158.55. The trade was a 0.45 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Daniel J. Bartlett sold 1,600 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $103.99, for a total transaction of $166,384.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 423,597 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $44,049,852.03. The trade was a 0.38 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 189,777 shares of company stock valued at $18,001,116. Insiders own 45.58% of the company’s stock.

Walmart Company 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.