Davis R M Inc. Boosts Stock Holdings in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT)

Key Points

• Davis R M Inc. increased its stake in Walmart by 22.3%, acquiring an additional 2,847 shares, bringing its total holdings to 15,622 shares valued at approximately $1.37 million.
• Walmart's insider trading activity saw executives sell a combined total of 143,912 shares over the past ninety days, valued at nearly $13.86 million, while insiders retain a 45.58% ownership stake in the company.
• Wall Street analysts maintain a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" for Walmart, with an average price target of $106.67; most analysts have expressed positive sentiments on the stock's potential growth.

Davis R M Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT - Free Report) by 22.3% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 15,622 shares of the retailer's stock after purchasing an additional 2,847 shares during the period. Davis R M Inc.'s holdings in Walmart were worth $1,371,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in WMT. Eagle Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Walmart by 9.1% in the 4th quarter. Eagle Capital Management LLC now owns 3,861 shares of the retailer's stock worth $349,000 after buying an additional 321 shares in the last quarter. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its position in Walmart by 28.8% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 98,150 shares of the retailer's stock worth $8,868,000 after buying an additional 21,939 shares in the last quarter. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC lifted its position in Walmart by 5.8% in the 4th quarter. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC now owns 8,849 shares of the retailer's stock worth $800,000 after buying an additional 485 shares in the last quarter. Highview Capital Management LLC DE lifted its position in Walmart by 4.9% in the 4th quarter. Highview Capital Management LLC DE now owns 36,945 shares of the retailer's stock worth $3,338,000 after buying an additional 1,720 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bryce Point Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Walmart in the 4th quarter worth approximately $531,000. 26.76% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Walmart Price Performance

Shares of WMT traded up $0.42 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $98.40. The company had a trading volume of 16,740,547 shares, compared to its average volume of 12,707,151. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $96.86 and its 200 day simple moving average is $95.03. Walmart Inc. has a 1-year low of $66.67 and a 1-year high of $105.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 0.22 and a current ratio of 0.78. The company has a market capitalization of $785.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 42.05, a P/E/G ratio of 4.72 and a beta of 0.66.

Walmart (NYSE:WMT - Get Free Report) last issued 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. The business had revenue of $165.61 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $164.53 billion. Walmart had a net margin of 2.75% and a return on equity of 21.76%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 2.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.60 EPS. Analysts expect that Walmart Inc. will post 2.55 EPS for the current year.

Walmart Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, May 27th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 12th were paid a dividend of $0.235 per share. This represents a yield of 95.0%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 9th. Walmart's payout ratio is 40.17%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

WMT has been the topic of several analyst reports. Citigroup restated a "buy" rating on shares of Walmart in a research note on Tuesday, May 6th. UBS Group lowered their target price on shares of Walmart from $112.00 to $110.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 10th. DA Davidson reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $117.00 target price on shares of Walmart in a research note on Friday, May 16th. Robert W. Baird raised their target price on shares of Walmart from $100.00 to $110.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, May 16th. Finally, Telsey Advisory Group reiterated an "outperform" rating and issued a $115.00 target price on shares of Walmart in a research note on Monday, June 9th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirty have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $106.67.

Insider Buying and Selling at Walmart

In other news, EVP John R. Furner sold 13,125 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $95.14, for a total value of $1,248,712.50. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 932,313 shares in the company, valued at $88,700,258.82. This represents a 1.39% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Daniel J. Bartlett sold 1,744 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $95.60, for a total transaction of $166,726.40. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 649,233 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $62,066,674.80. The trade was a 0.27% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 143,912 shares of company stock worth $13,863,813 in the last ninety days. 45.58% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

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.