CCM Investment Advisers LLC Has $17.25 Million Stake in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT)

CCM Investment Advisers LLC cut its position in shares of Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT - Free Report) by 2.2% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 196,526 shares of the retailer's stock after selling 4,460 shares during the quarter. Walmart accounts for 2.1% of CCM Investment Advisers LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 16th biggest holding. CCM Investment Advisers LLC's holdings in Walmart were worth $17,253,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. World Investment Advisors lifted its stake in Walmart by 7.6% in the 4th quarter. World Investment Advisors now owns 271,515 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $24,532,000 after buying an additional 19,233 shares in the last quarter. Candriam S.C.A. raised its holdings in shares of Walmart by 209.7% in the fourth quarter. Candriam S.C.A. now owns 885,008 shares of the retailer's stock worth $79,960,000 after acquiring an additional 599,257 shares during the last quarter. Modera Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Walmart by 4.8% in the fourth quarter. Modera Wealth Management LLC now owns 203,150 shares of the retailer's stock worth $18,355,000 after acquiring an additional 9,292 shares during the last quarter. Cushing Capital Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Walmart in the fourth quarter valued at $1,124,000. Finally, GWN Securities Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Walmart during the fourth quarter valued at $4,658,000. 26.76% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Evercore ISI boosted their target price on shares of Walmart from $105.00 to $107.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 4th. Guggenheim reissued a "buy" rating and issued a $100.00 price objective on shares of Walmart in a research report on Monday, February 24th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an "outperform" rating and set a $103.00 price objective (up previously from $102.00) on shares of Walmart in a research note on Monday, June 9th. Citigroup restated a "buy" rating on shares of Walmart in a research report on Tuesday, May 6th. Finally, Oppenheimer boosted their price target on Walmart from $100.00 to $110.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 7th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirty have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $106.50.

Walmart Trading Down 0.7%

Shares of WMT stock traded down $0.63 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $94.20. The company's stock had a trading volume of 18,672,575 shares, compared to its average volume of 17,923,098. The company has a quick ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40. The firm has a market capitalization of $751.76 billion, a PE ratio of 39.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.42 and a beta of 0.69. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $95.79 and its 200-day simple moving average is $94.06. Walmart Inc. has a 12-month low of $66.30 and a 12-month high of $105.30.

Walmart (NYSE:WMT - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 15th. The retailer reported $0.61 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.58 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $165.61 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $164.53 billion. Walmart had a return on equity of 21.87% and a net margin of 2.85%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 2.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.60 earnings per share. On average, research analysts predict that Walmart Inc. will post 2.55 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Walmart Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, May 27th. Investors of record on Monday, May 12th were issued a dividend of $0.235 per share. This represents a yield of 0.95%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 9th. Walmart's payout ratio is 40.17%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Kathryn J. Mclay sold 4,000 shares of Walmart stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $85.95, for a total value of $343,800.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 888,309 shares in the company, valued at $76,350,158.55. The trade was a 0.45% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, EVP John D. Rainey sold 2,200 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $99.00, for a total transaction of $217,800.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 630,518 shares in the company, valued at $62,421,282. This represents a 0.35% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 137,534 shares of company stock worth $12,833,664. 45.58% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

About Walmart

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.