Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (NYSE:WD) Receives Consensus Recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from Analysts

Key Points

• Analysts give Walker & Dunlop a “Moderate Buy” consensus: five of six covering analysts recommend buying the stock, while one rates it a sell. The average 12-month price target is $64, well above the reported share price of $41.64.
• Walker & Dunlop exceeded quarterly EPS expectations, reporting $1.19 versus the $0.90 consensus estimate, although revenue fell 3.9% year over year to $306.69 million, below forecasts.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.68 per share, equivalent to a 6.5% annualized yield, though its payout ratio is high at 242.86%. Institutional investors and hedge funds own approximately 80.97% of the stock.

Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (NYSE:WD - Get Free Report) has received an average rating of "Moderate Buy" from the six brokerages that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation and five have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $64.00.

Several equities analysts have weighed in on WD shares. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their price target on Walker & Dunlop from $63.00 to $57.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, August 7th. Citigroup reaffirmed a "market outperform" rating on shares of Walker & Dunlop in a research note on Tuesday, August 18th. Weiss Ratings cut Walker & Dunlop from a "hold (c-)" rating to a "sell (d+)" rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 18th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Walker & Dunlop from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Saturday. Finally, Citizens Jmp decreased their price target on shares of Walker & Dunlop from $70.00 to $55.00 and set a "market outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, August 18th.

Walker & Dunlop Price Performance

Shares of NYSE WD opened at $41.64 on Monday. The firm's 50-day moving average is $47.80 and its two-hundred day moving average is $49.70. The company has a market capitalization of $1.43 billion, a PE ratio of 37.18 and a beta of 1.49. Walker & Dunlop has a 12-month low of $39.01 and a 12-month high of $90.00.

Walker & Dunlop (NYSE:WD - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 6th. The financial services provider reported $1.19 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.90 by $0.29. Walker & Dunlop had a net margin of 2.94% and a return on equity of 7.25%. The business had revenue of $306.69 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $337.37 million. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.15 EPS. The company's revenue was down 3.9% on a year-over-year basis.

Walker & Dunlop Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 3rd. Investors of record on Thursday, August 20th will be paid a dividend of $0.68 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 20th. This represents a $2.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.5%. Walker & Dunlop's dividend payout ratio is presently 242.86%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 107.9% in the first quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 580 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 301 shares during the last quarter. Essential Partners LLC grew its position in Walker & Dunlop by 709.1% during the first quarter. Essential Partners LLC now owns 623 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 546 shares during the period. Quantbot Technologies LP acquired a new stake in Walker & Dunlop during the second quarter worth about $35,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd increased its stake in Walker & Dunlop by 1,398.0% during the fourth quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 734 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $44,000 after acquiring an additional 685 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Strs Ohio purchased a new position in shares of Walker & Dunlop in the 1st quarter worth about $51,000. 80.97% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Walker & Dunlop

Walker & Dunlop is one of the largest providers of commercial real estate finance in the United States, specializing in the origination, servicing and sale of loans secured by multifamily, seniors housing, healthcare, student housing and manufactured housing properties. The firm offers a full suite of debt and equity solutions, including agency financing through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, HUD and FHA-insured loans, bridge and construction financing, mezzanine debt, preferred equity, and investment sales advisory.

With roots dating back to 1937 and its headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland, Walker & Dunlop has expanded its platform through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions.

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