Dimensional Fund Advisors LP Has $60.76 Million Position in Walker & Dunlop, Inc. $WD

Key Points

• Dimensional Fund Advisors increased its Walker & Dunlop stake by 8.2% in the first quarter, owning 1.37 million shares valued at approximately $60.76 million, or 3.99% of the company.
• Institutional investors and hedge funds collectively own 80.97% of Walker & Dunlop, while several other investment firms also raised their positions during the quarter.
• Walker & Dunlop pays a quarterly dividend of $0.68 per share, equivalent to a 5.5% annualized yield. Analysts give the stock a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating with an average price target of $79.20, compared with its recent price of $49.58.

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its holdings in Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (NYSE:WD - Free Report) by 8.2% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 1,369,114 shares of the financial services provider's stock after buying an additional 104,008 shares during the quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP owned 3.99% of Walker & Dunlop worth $60,760,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. GatePass Capital LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 103.6% during the 1st quarter. GatePass Capital LLC now owns 12,313 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $546,000 after acquiring an additional 6,264 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc. increased its stake in Walker & Dunlop by 2.0% in the first quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 165,523 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $7,346,000 after acquiring an additional 3,221 shares during the period. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky raised its position in Walker & Dunlop by 23.3% in the first quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 121,602 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $5,397,000 after purchasing an additional 23,010 shares in the last quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp lifted its stake in Walker & Dunlop by 4,014.8% during the first quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 7,777 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $345,000 after purchasing an additional 7,588 shares during the period. Finally, ARGA Investment Management LP lifted its stake in Walker & Dunlop by 96.7% during the first quarter. ARGA Investment Management LP now owns 35,629 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $1,581,000 after purchasing an additional 17,516 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.97% of the company's stock.

Walker & Dunlop Trading Up 1.0%

NYSE WD opened at $49.58 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $1.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.54 and a beta of 1.48. The company has a 50 day moving average of $50.93 and a 200-day moving average of $52.69. Walker & Dunlop, Inc. has a 1-year low of $42.12 and a 1-year high of $90.00.

Walker & Dunlop Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 4th. Investors of record on Thursday, May 21st were given a dividend of $0.68 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 21st. This represents a $2.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.5%. Walker & Dunlop's dividend payout ratio is 134.65%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

WD has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Stephens began coverage on Walker & Dunlop in a report on Thursday, April 23rd. They set an "overweight" rating and a $69.00 price objective on the stock. Wall Street Zen raised Walker & Dunlop from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday, May 9th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their target price on Walker & Dunlop from $65.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Friday, May 8th. Finally, Weiss Ratings lowered Walker & Dunlop from a "hold (c-)" rating to a "sell (d+)" rating in a research note on Monday, July 20th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $79.20.

About Walker & Dunlop

Walker & Dunlop is one of the largest providers of commercial real estate finance in the United States, specializing in the origination, servicing and sale of loans secured by multifamily, seniors housing, healthcare, student housing and manufactured housing properties. The firm offers a full suite of debt and equity solutions, including agency financing through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, HUD and FHA-insured loans, bridge and construction financing, mezzanine debt, preferred equity, and investment sales advisory.

With roots dating back to 1937 and its headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland, Walker & Dunlop has expanded its platform through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions.

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