Entropy Technologies LP Takes Position in Walker & Dunlop, Inc. $WD

Key Points

• Entropy Technologies LP acquired a new stake in Walker & Dunlop, Inc., purchasing 3,550 shares valued around $303,000 in the first quarter of 2023.
• Walker & Dunlop reported quarterly earnings of $1.15 EPS, missing analysts' expectations of $1.29, despite a 17.9% year-over-year revenue increase to $319.24 million.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.67 per share, signifying a 3.2% yield, with an 82.72% dividend payout ratio.

Entropy Technologies LP purchased a new stake in Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (NYSE:WD - Free Report) in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund purchased 3,550 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $303,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in WD. First Horizon Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Walker & Dunlop in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Sterling Capital Management LLC boosted its position in Walker & Dunlop by 456.4% during the 4th quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 306 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 251 shares during the period. Versant Capital Management Inc boosted its position in Walker & Dunlop by 90.5% during the 1st quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 383 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 182 shares during the period. Parallel Advisors LLC boosted its position in Walker & Dunlop by 122.0% during the 1st quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 444 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 244 shares during the period. Finally, National Bank of Canada FI boosted its position in Walker & Dunlop by 81.9% during the 1st quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 724 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $62,000 after purchasing an additional 326 shares during the period. 80.97% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Walker & Dunlop Stock Up 1.1%

WD stock traded up $0.9540 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $85.0140. 44,369 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 242,645. The firm has a market cap of $2.90 billion, a PE ratio of 26.24 and a beta of 1.57. The company's fifty day moving average price is $74.31 and its 200-day moving average price is $77.57. Walker & Dunlop, Inc. has a 1-year low of $64.48 and a 1-year high of $118.19.

Walker & Dunlop (NYSE:WD - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 7th. The financial services provider reported $1.15 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.29 by ($0.14). The firm had revenue of $319.24 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $275.84 million. Walker & Dunlop had a net margin of 9.27% and a return on equity of 8.81%. The company's quarterly revenue was up 17.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.23 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Walker & Dunlop, Inc. will post 4.97 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Walker & Dunlop Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 5th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 21st will be issued a $0.67 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 21st. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.2%. Walker & Dunlop's dividend payout ratio is 82.72%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on WD shares. Wall Street Zen upgraded Walker & Dunlop from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday, August 9th. Wedbush restated a "neutral" rating and set a $90.00 price objective on shares of Walker & Dunlop in a research report on Thursday, August 14th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has issued a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Walker & Dunlop has an average rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $92.50.

Walker & Dunlop Profile

Walker & Dunlop, Inc is a holding company, which engages in the provision of commercial real estate and finance services. It operates through the following segments: Capital Markets, Servicing and Asset Management, and Corporate. The Capital Markets segment offers a comprehensive range of commercial real estate finance products to customers.