Candriam S.C.A. Sells 156,008 Shares of Walmart Inc. $WMT

Key Points

• Candriam S.C.A. sold 156,008 shares of Walmart Inc., reducing its stake by 17.6% to 729,000 shares, valued at approximately $63.99 million.
• Multiple institutional investors, including Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management and Milestone Asset Management, have significantly increased their stakes in Walmart during the first quarter.
• Walmart recently announced a $0.235 dividend to be paid to shareholders, reflecting a yield of 90.0%, with a current market cap of approximately $808.53 billion.

Candriam S.C.A. cut its position in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT - Free Report) by 17.6% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 729,000 shares of the retailer's stock after selling 156,008 shares during the quarter. Candriam S.C.A.'s holdings in Walmart were worth $63,999,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Full Sail Capital LLC raised its position in Walmart by 6.6% in the fourth quarter. Full Sail Capital LLC now owns 8,702 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $786,000 after purchasing an additional 541 shares during the last quarter. Leslie Global Wealth LLC raised its position in Walmart by 22.0% in the fourth quarter. Leslie Global Wealth LLC now owns 3,154 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $285,000 after purchasing an additional 568 shares during the last quarter. Monument Capital Management increased its stake in shares of Walmart by 94.2% in the first quarter. Monument Capital Management now owns 55,004 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $4,829,000 after buying an additional 26,685 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. increased its stake in shares of Walmart by 11.8% in the first quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 7,959,752 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $698,787,000 after buying an additional 838,689 shares during the period. Finally, Milestone Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Walmart by 156.7% in the first quarter. Milestone Asset Management LLC now owns 54,659 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $4,799,000 after buying an additional 33,370 shares during the period. 26.76% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at Walmart

In other news, EVP Daniel J. Bartlett sold 1,655 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $100.38, for a total value of $166,128.90. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 647,578 shares in the company, valued at $65,003,879.64. This trade represents a 0.25% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP John D. Rainey sold 2,200 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $98.30, for a total value of $216,260.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 626,118 shares in the company, valued at $61,547,399.40. This represents a 0.35% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 113,989 shares of company stock valued at $10,976,478. Company insiders own 0.10% of the company's stock.

Walmart Trading Up 0.6%

Shares of Walmart stock opened at $101.3140 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 0.22 and a current ratio of 0.78. Walmart Inc. has a 52 week low of $73.72 and a 52 week high of $105.30. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $97.74 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $95.62. The stock has a market capitalization of $808.53 billion, a PE ratio of 43.30, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.84 and a beta of 0.66.

Walmart Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 2nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 18th will be paid a $0.235 dividend. This represents a yield of 90.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 15th. Walmart's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 40.17%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

WMT has been the subject of several recent research reports. Wall Street Zen raised Walmart from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, May 12th. Truist Financial increased their price target on Walmart from $107.00 to $111.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, May 16th. Tigress Financial raised their target price on Walmart from $115.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 2nd. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and set a $103.00 target price (up previously from $102.00) on shares of Walmart in a research note on Monday, June 9th. Finally, DA Davidson reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a $117.00 target price on shares of Walmart in a research note on Friday, May 16th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-nine have given a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Walmart has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $109.89.

Walmart Profile

Walmart Inc engages in the operation of retail, wholesale, other units, and eCommerce worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sam's Club. It operates supercenters, supermarkets, hypermarkets, warehouse clubs, cash and carry stores, and discount stores under Walmart and Walmart Neighborhood Market brands; membership-only warehouse clubs; ecommerce websites, such as walmart.com.mx, walmart.ca, flipkart.com, PhonePe and other sites; and mobile commerce applications.

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