Algert Global LLC Takes $4.71 Million Position in Murphy USA Inc. $MUSA

Key Points

• Algert Global acquired 8,750 Murphy USA shares in the second quarter, establishing a position valued at approximately $4.71 million. Institutional investors collectively own 80.81% of the company.
• Analysts maintain a generally positive outlook, with six Buy ratings and five Holds; the stock has a “Moderate Buy” consensus and an average price target of $606.89.
• Murphy USA reported quarterly earnings and revenue above expectations, with EPS of $11.27 and revenue of $6.81 billion, while shares opened at $509.12. The company also raised its quarterly dividend to $0.65 per share.

Algert Global LLC acquired a new position in shares of Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA - Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 8,750 shares of the specialty retailer's stock, valued at approximately $4,715,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Huntington National Bank grew its holdings in Murphy USA by 106.7% in the 4th quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 62 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 32 shares in the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Murphy USA by 423.1% in the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 68 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares during the last quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Murphy USA in the 4th quarter valued at $33,000. Root Financial Partners LLC grew its holdings in shares of Murphy USA by 82.5% during the 1st quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC now owns 73 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 33 shares during the period. Finally, Keating Financial Advisory Services Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Murphy USA during the 2nd quarter worth $37,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.81% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Capital One Financial started coverage on shares of Murphy USA in a report on Monday, June 22nd. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $710.00 target price for the company. Bank of America upped their target price on shares of Murphy USA from $600.00 to $625.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, July 10th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated a "sector perform" rating and issued a $619.00 price target on shares of Murphy USA in a research note on Wednesday, July 29th. Zacks Research cut Murphy USA from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, June 22nd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on Murphy USA from $520.00 to $570.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Monday, July 20th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $606.89.

Insider Activity at Murphy USA

In other news, Director Rosemary Turner sold 966 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $571.88, for a total transaction of $552,436.08. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 449 shares in the company, valued at approximately $256,774.12. The trade was a 68.27% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Diane N. Landen sold 3,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Friday, June 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $547.25, for a total transaction of $1,641,750.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 53,841 shares in the company, valued at approximately $29,464,487.25. This represents a 5.28% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 9.02% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Murphy USA Stock Down 4.2%

Shares of NYSE MUSA opened at $509.12 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $573.94 and a 200 day moving average price of $523.42. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.56 and a beta of 0.28. The company has a quick ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.77. Murphy USA Inc. has a 52 week low of $349.83 and a 52 week high of $636.04.

Murphy USA (NYSE:MUSA - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, August 5th. The specialty retailer reported $11.27 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $9.95 by $1.32. The firm had revenue of $6.81 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.03 billion. Murphy USA had a net margin of 2.87% and a return on equity of 96.01%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 36.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $7.36 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Murphy USA Inc. will post 33.84 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Murphy USA Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 3rd. Investors of record on Monday, August 24th will be given a dividend of $0.65 per share. This represents a $2.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.5%. This is a boost from Murphy USA's previous quarterly dividend of $0.64. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 24th. Murphy USA's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 7.92%.

About Murphy USA

Murphy USA is a leading downstream marketer of gasoline, diesel and convenience store products in the United States. Headquartered in El Dorado, Arkansas, the company was originally established as part of Murphy Oil Corporation and was spun off as an independent public entity in 2013. Since its separation, Murphy USA has focused on retail fueling services and convenience offerings designed to deliver value and convenience to consumers.

The company's primary operations center on two retail formats.

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