Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. Boosts Position in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT)

Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT - Free Report) by 4.1% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 582,822 shares of the retailer's stock after buying an additional 23,182 shares during the quarter. Walmart comprises approximately 0.9% of Crossmark Global Holdings Inc.'s investment portfolio, making the stock its 16th largest holding. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc.'s holdings in Walmart were worth $51,166,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of WMT. Horizon Financial Services LLC grew its position in Walmart by 1,007.7% in the 4th quarter. Horizon Financial Services LLC now owns 288 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 262 shares during the period. EQ Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Walmart in the 1st quarter valued at $35,000. Mizuho Bank Ltd. acquired a new stake in Walmart in the 4th quarter valued at $41,000. Nexus Investment Management ULC acquired a new stake in Walmart in the 1st quarter valued at $49,000. Finally, WealthTrak Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Walmart in the 4th quarter valued at $53,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 26.76% of the company's stock.

Walmart Stock Performance

Walmart stock traded up $0.91 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $99.27. The stock had a trading volume of 12,918,621 shares, compared to its average volume of 18,048,336. Walmart Inc. has a 12 month low of $66.67 and a 12 month high of $105.30. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $97.14 and its 200 day moving average price is $94.36. The firm has a market capitalization of $792.22 billion, a PE ratio of 42.42, a P/E/G ratio of 4.73 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a quick ratio of 0.22, a current ratio of 0.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47.

Walmart (NYSE:WMT - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 15th. The retailer reported $0.61 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.58 by $0.03. Walmart had a return on equity of 21.76% and a net margin of 2.75%. The business had revenue of $165.61 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $164.53 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $0.60 EPS. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts predict that Walmart Inc. will post 2.55 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Walmart Announces Dividend

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts recently issued reports on the stock. DA Davidson reissued a "buy" rating and issued a $117.00 price target on shares of Walmart in a research report on Friday, May 16th. Mizuho lifted their price target on shares of Walmart from $105.00 to $115.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Monday, June 9th. Oppenheimer lifted their price target on shares of Walmart from $100.00 to $110.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 7th. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a "buy" rating on shares of Walmart in a research note on Wednesday, March 26th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Walmart from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, May 12th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirty have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $106.67.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP John D. Rainey sold 2,200 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $98.44, for a total value of $216,568.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 628,318 shares in the company, valued at approximately $61,851,623.92. The trade was a 0.35% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Daniel J. Bartlett sold 1,760 shares of Walmart stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $94.77, for a total value of $166,795.20. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 650,977 shares of the company's stock, valued at $61,693,090.29. The trade was a 0.27% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 142,711 shares of company stock worth $13,710,319 in the last ninety days. 45.58% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Walmart Company 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.