Erste Asset Management GmbH Sells 28,760 Shares of Walker & Dunlop, Inc. $WD

Key Points

• Erste Asset Management GmbH reduced its stake in Walker & Dunlop, Inc. by 16.1%, selling 28,760 shares and now holding 150,000 shares worth approximately $12.8 million.
• Walker & Dunlop recently reported quarterly earnings of $1.15 per share, which missed analysts' expectations, while also experiencing a 17.9% year-over-year revenue increase, totaling $319.24 million.
• A quarterly dividend of $0.67 has been announced, representing an annual yield of 3.2%, with payment scheduled for September 5th, 2023.

Erste Asset Management GmbH cut its holdings in shares of Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (NYSE:WD - Free Report) by 16.1% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 150,000 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 28,760 shares during the quarter. Erste Asset Management GmbH owned approximately 0.44% of Walker & Dunlop worth $12,804,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Janus Henderson Group PLC lifted its holdings in Walker & Dunlop by 0.5% during the fourth quarter. Janus Henderson Group PLC now owns 1,845,100 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $179,355,000 after purchasing an additional 8,571 shares during the last quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 0.7% during the fourth quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,197,571 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $116,416,000 after buying an additional 8,683 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 0.7% during the first quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 463,191 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $39,538,000 after buying an additional 3,069 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp increased its position in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 6.4% during the fourth quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 437,665 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $42,545,000 after buying an additional 26,461 shares during the period. Finally, Royce & Associates LP increased its position in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 257.2% during the first quarter. Royce & Associates LP now owns 282,688 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $24,130,000 after buying an additional 203,542 shares during the period. 80.97% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Walker & Dunlop Stock Up 5.7%

Shares of WD stock traded up $4.6560 during trading on Friday, hitting $86.8960. The company had a trading volume of 301,101 shares, compared to its average volume of 275,878. The stock's 50-day moving average is $75.47 and its two-hundred day moving average is $77.41. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.82 and a beta of 1.57. Walker & Dunlop, Inc. has a 52 week low of $64.48 and a 52 week high of $118.19.

Walker & Dunlop (NYSE:WD - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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). The company had revenue of $319.24 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $275.84 million. Walker & Dunlop had a return on equity of 8.81% and a net margin of 9.27%.The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 17.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.23 earnings per share. On average, research analysts predict that Walker & Dunlop, Inc. will post 4.97 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Walker & Dunlop Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 5th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 21st will be given a dividend of $0.67 per share. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.1%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 21st. Walker & Dunlop's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 82.72%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Wall Street Zen upgraded Walker & Dunlop from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday, August 9th. Wedbush reiterated a "neutral" rating and set a $90.00 price target on shares of Walker & Dunlop in a research report on Thursday, August 14th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has given a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price 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.