Aviva PLC Boosts Stake in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT)

Aviva PLC increased its stake in shares of Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT - Free Report) by 13.2% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 2,661,007 shares of the retailer's stock after purchasing an additional 309,285 shares during the quarter. Walmart accounts for 0.6% of Aviva PLC's holdings, making the stock its 23rd largest holding. Aviva PLC's holdings in Walmart were worth $240,422,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. FPC Investment Advisory Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Walmart in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Horizon Financial Services LLC lifted its stake in Walmart by 1,007.7% during the fourth quarter. Horizon Financial Services LLC now owns 288 shares of the retailer's stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 262 shares during the last quarter. Fiduciary Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in Walmart in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Decker Retirement Planning Inc. acquired a new stake in Walmart during the fourth quarter worth approximately $32,000. Finally, Noble Wealth Management PBC purchased a new stake in shares of Walmart during the 4th quarter worth approximately $37,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 26.76% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO C Douglas Mcmillon sold 29,124 shares of Walmart stock in a transaction on Thursday, January 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $92.62, for a total value of $2,697,464.88. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 3,766,491 shares of the company's stock, valued at $348,852,396.42. The trade was a 0.77 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Daniel J. Bartlett sold 1,600 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $103.99, for a total value of $166,384.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now 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. Insiders have sold 178,852 shares of company stock worth $16,785,080 over the last three months. 45.58% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Walmart Price Performance

Shares of WMT stock traded up $3.78 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $85.57. The stock had a trading volume of 17,356,355 shares, compared to its average volume of 17,357,773. The company has a market cap of $685.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.42 and a beta of 0.69. 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 12-month low of $58.56 and a 12-month high of $105.30. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $93.10 and a 200 day simple moving average of $89.67.

Walmart (NYSE:WMT - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 20th. The retailer reported $0.66 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.64 by $0.02. Walmart had a net margin of 2.85% and a return on equity of 21.87%. The firm had revenue of $180.55 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $178.83 billion. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Walmart Inc. will post 2.55 earnings per share for the current year.

Walmart Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 5th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 12th will be issued a $0.235 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 12th. This represents a $0.94 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.10%. Walmart's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 39.00%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts recently commented on the stock. Robert W. Baird increased their target price on shares of Walmart from $100.00 to $115.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 18th. Erste Group Bank lowered Walmart from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, March 17th. Telsey Advisory Group reissued an "outperform" rating on shares of Walmart in a research report on Friday, February 28th. Barclays reiterated an "overweight" rating on shares of Walmart in a research note on Friday, February 28th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised their target price on shares of Walmart from $105.00 to $111.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 17th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-nine have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Walmart currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $103.17.

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.