Argent Capital Management LLC Cuts Position in Murphy USA Inc. $MUSA

Key Points

• Argent Capital Management LLC reduced its stake in Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA) by 4.6%, owning 87,424 shares valued at approximately $35.56 million after selling 4,188 shares in the second quarter.
• Murphy USA announced a quarterly dividend increase to $0.53 per share, up from the previous $0.50, reflecting a 0.6% yield and a dividend payout ratio of 8.78%.
• Several analysts have recently adjusted their ratings on Murphy USA, with Wells Fargo reducing the price target from $520 to $440, while the consensus price target currently stands at $483.17.

Argent Capital Management LLC lowered its holdings in shares of Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA - Free Report) by 4.6% during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 87,424 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after selling 4,188 shares during the quarter. Argent Capital Management LLC owned approximately 0.44% of Murphy USA worth $35,564,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Murphy USA during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $241,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Murphy USA during the first quarter worth $40,000. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH purchased a new position in Murphy USA during the first quarter valued at $3,683,000. SG Americas Securities LLC lifted its holdings in Murphy USA by 21.1% during the first quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 1,210 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $568,000 after purchasing an additional 211 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd grew its position in shares of Murphy USA by 81.9% in the first quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd now owns 1,812 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $851,000 after purchasing an additional 816 shares during the period. 80.81% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, COO Malynda K. West sold 1,859 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $386.22, for a total transaction of $717,982.98. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer owned 117,389 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $45,337,979.58. This trade represents a 1.56% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Robert Madison Murphy bought 5,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 5th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $367.01 per share, for a total transaction of $1,835,050.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 389,172 shares of the company's stock, valued at $142,830,015.72. This trade represents a 1.30% increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Company insiders own 10.12% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms recently weighed in on MUSA. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on shares of Murphy USA from $520.00 to $440.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, August 1st. Zacks Research raised Murphy USA from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, August 20th. KeyCorp restated an "overweight" rating and issued a $480.00 target price on shares of Murphy USA in a research report on Friday, September 5th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lowered Murphy USA from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and set a $350.00 price target on the stock. in a research note on Friday, August 1st. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $483.17.

Murphy USA Stock Performance

Shares of Murphy USA stock opened at $381.78 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $7.36 billion, a PE ratio of 15.81 and a beta of 0.44. The company has a quick ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.20. Murphy USA Inc. has a 52 week low of $345.23 and a 52 week high of $561.08. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $391.22 and its 200-day simple moving average is $430.18.

Murphy USA (NYSE:MUSA - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 30th. The specialty retailer reported $7.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.82 by $0.54. Murphy USA had a net margin of 2.52% and a return on equity of 64.63%. The firm had revenue of $5.01 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.17 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $6.92 EPS. Murphy USA's revenue was down 8.2% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts forecast that Murphy USA Inc. will post 26.45 earnings per share for the current year.

Murphy USA Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 4th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 25th were issued a $0.53 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 25th. This represents a $2.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.6%. This is an increase from Murphy USA's previous quarterly dividend of $0.50. Murphy USA's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 8.78%.

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.

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