Dark Forest Capital Management LP Invests $4.09 Million in Walker & Dunlop, Inc. $WD

Key Points

• Dark Forest Capital Management LP has invested approximately $4.09 million in Walker & Dunlop, acquiring 47,918 shares, which represents 0.14% of the company.
• Walker & Dunlop reported earnings per share (EPS) of $1.15 for the last quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.29 by $0.14, although its revenue increased by 17.9% year-over-year.
• The company has announced a quarterly dividend of $0.67 per share, with a dividend yield of 3.2%, reflecting a payout ratio of 82.72%.

Dark Forest Capital Management LP acquired a new position in Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (NYSE:WD - Free Report) during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 47,918 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $4,090,000. Dark Forest Capital Management LP owned about 0.14% of Walker & Dunlop at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. First Horizon Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in Walker & Dunlop in the first quarter worth $27,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Walker & Dunlop during the first quarter valued at about $32,000. Versant Capital Management Inc increased its holdings in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 90.5% during the first quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 383 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 182 shares in the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Walker & Dunlop by 122.0% in the 1st quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 444 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 244 shares during the period. Finally, National Bank of Canada FI grew its stake in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 81.9% during the 1st quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 724 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $62,000 after purchasing an additional 326 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.97% of the company's stock.

Walker & Dunlop Stock Up 0.4%

WD stock traded up $0.37 on Monday, reaching $87.97. 47,645 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 241,403. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $78.81 and a 200-day moving average of $77.03. Walker & Dunlop, Inc. has a twelve month low of $64.48 and a twelve month high of $118.19. The firm has a market cap of $3.00 billion, a PE ratio of 27.19 and a beta of 1.58.

Walker & Dunlop (NYSE:WD - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 7th. The financial services provider reported $1.15 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.29 by ($0.14). Walker & Dunlop had a return on equity of 8.81% and a net margin of 9.27%.The business had revenue of $319.24 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $275.84 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.23 EPS. The company's revenue was up 17.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts predict that Walker & Dunlop, Inc. will post 4.97 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Walker & Dunlop Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 5th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 21st were given a dividend of $0.67 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 21st. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.0%. Walker & Dunlop's dividend payout ratio is 82.72%.

Insider Activity at Walker & Dunlop

In other news, EVP Paula A. Pryor sold 5,336 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $86.20, for a total value of $459,963.20. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 9,341 shares in the company, valued at $805,194.20. This trade represents a 36.36% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 3.66% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have weighed in on WD shares. Wall Street Zen upgraded Walker & Dunlop from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday, August 9th. Wedbush restated a "neutral" rating and set a $90.00 target price on shares of Walker & Dunlop in a research note on Thursday, August 14th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has issued a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Walker & Dunlop presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $92.50.

Walker & Dunlop Company Profile

Walker & Dunlop, Inc is a holding company, which engages in the provision of commercial real estate and finance services. It operates through the following segments: Capital Markets, Servicing and Asset Management, and Corporate. The Capital Markets segment offers a comprehensive range of commercial real estate finance products to customers.