Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC Sells 20,767 Shares of Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA)

Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC reduced its holdings in shares of Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA - Free Report) by 51.8% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 19,353 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after selling 20,767 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC owned 0.10% of Murphy USA worth $9,197,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. US Bancorp DE grew its holdings in Murphy USA by 0.5% during the 4th quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 4,444 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $2,230,000 after acquiring an additional 24 shares during the period. Zacks Investment Management grew its stake in shares of Murphy USA by 0.3% in the 4th quarter. Zacks Investment Management now owns 8,938 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $4,485,000 after buying an additional 25 shares during the period. State of Alaska Department of Revenue grew its stake in shares of Murphy USA by 1.2% in the 1st quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 2,130 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $1,000,000 after buying an additional 25 shares during the period. Fifth Third Bancorp grew its stake in shares of Murphy USA by 18.7% in the 1st quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 203 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $95,000 after buying an additional 32 shares during the period. Finally, NDVR Inc. grew its stake in shares of Murphy USA by 4.8% in the 4th quarter. NDVR Inc. now owns 715 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $359,000 after buying an additional 33 shares during the period. 80.81% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Murphy USA Price Performance

Shares of NYSE MUSA traded down $11.63 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $413.29. 265,035 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 228,157. Murphy USA Inc. has a 52 week low of $385.44 and a 52 week high of $561.08. The company has a quick ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.74. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.17 billion, a PE ratio of 17.43 and a beta of 0.48. The company's 50 day moving average price is $434.37 and its 200 day moving average price is $465.28.

Murphy USA (NYSE:MUSA - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The specialty retailer reported $2.63 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.87 by ($1.24). The business had revenue of $4.53 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.79 billion. Murphy USA had a return on equity of 61.19% and a net margin of 2.46%. The business's revenue for the quarter was down 6.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $3.12 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts forecast that Murphy USA Inc. will post 26.45 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Murphy USA Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 2nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 12th were paid a $0.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 12th. This is an increase from Murphy USA's previous quarterly dividend of $0.49. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.48%. Murphy USA's payout ratio is currently 8.44%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently commented on the company. Raymond James Financial downgraded Murphy USA from an "outperform" rating to a "market perform" rating in a research note on Friday, May 9th. Melius Research upgraded Murphy USA to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 11th. Stephens reduced their target price on Murphy USA from $530.00 to $475.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, May 9th. KeyCorp reduced their target price on Murphy USA from $550.00 to $525.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, May 9th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut shares of Murphy USA from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, May 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $526.29.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Murphy USA news, Director David C. Haley purchased 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 27th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $435.58 per share, with a total value of $435,580.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 1,000 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $435,580. This trade represents a ∞ increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 10.12% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

About Murphy USA

Murphy USA Inc engages in marketing of retail motor fuel products and convenience merchandise. The company operates retail stores under the Murphy USA, Murphy Express, and QuickChek brands, as well as operates non-fuel convenience stores. It operates retail gasoline stores principally in the Southeast, Southwest, and Midwest United States.