Dark Forest Capital Management LP Purchases Shares of 47,918 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 its most recent filing with the SEC. 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 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in WD. First Horizon Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Walker & Dunlop in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Walker & Dunlop in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Versant Capital Management Inc lifted its stake in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 90.5% in the 1st quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 383 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 182 shares during the period. Parallel Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 122.0% in the 1st quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 444 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 244 shares during the period. Finally, National Bank of Canada FI lifted its stake in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 81.9% in the 1st quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 724 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $62,000 after purchasing an additional 326 shares during the period. 80.97% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Walker & Dunlop Stock Performance

Shares of WD stock traded up $3.91 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $87.31. The company's stock had a trading volume of 366,035 shares, compared to its average volume of 220,156. Walker & Dunlop, Inc. has a 52-week low of $64.48 and a 52-week high of $118.19. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $78.81 and a 200 day moving average price of $77.09. The stock has a market cap of $2.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.95 and a beta of 1.59.

Walker & Dunlop (NYSE:WD - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 7th. The financial services provider reported $1.15 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate 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 during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $275.84 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.23 EPS. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 17.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts predict that Walker & Dunlop, Inc. will post 4.97 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Walker & Dunlop Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 5th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 21st were issued a $0.67 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, August 21st. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.1%. Walker & Dunlop's payout ratio is presently 82.72%.

Insider Activity at Walker & Dunlop

In related news, EVP Paula A. Pryor sold 5,336 shares of Walker & Dunlop stock in a transaction on Friday, August 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $86.20, for a total value of $459,963.20. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 9,341 shares of the company's stock, valued at $805,194.20. The trade was a 36.36% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 3.66% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have recently commented on WD shares. Wall Street Zen upgraded Walker & Dunlop from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Saturday, August 9th. Wedbush reiterated a "neutral" rating and set a $90.00 price objective on shares of Walker & Dunlop in a research note on Thursday, August 14th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has issued a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Walker & Dunlop currently has an average 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.