Hedeker Wealth LLC Purchases New Stake in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT)

Key Points

• Hedeker Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in Walmart, purchasing 21,092 shares valued at approximately $1,852,000 during the first quarter.
• Several large investors, including Horizon Financial Services LLC and Bear Mountain Capital Inc., have significantly increased their positions in Walmart, indicating strong institutional interest in the stock.
• Walmart's stock is currently rated as a "Moderate Buy" by analysts, with a growing number suggesting a buy rating and an average price target of $106.67.

Hedeker Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT - Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund purchased 21,092 shares of the retailer's stock, valued at approximately $1,852,000.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Horizon Financial Services LLC boosted its position in Walmart by 1,007.7% during the fourth quarter. Horizon Financial Services LLC now owns 288 shares of the retailer's stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 262 shares in the last quarter. Bear Mountain Capital Inc. lifted its position in shares of Walmart by 98.2% in the first quarter. Bear Mountain Capital Inc. now owns 337 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 167 shares in the last quarter. EQ Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Walmart in the first quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Lipe & Dalton lifted its position in shares of Walmart by 95.2% in the first quarter. Lipe & Dalton now owns 410 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $36,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mizuho Bank Ltd. purchased a new position in shares of Walmart in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $41,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 26.76% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity at Walmart

In other news, EVP Kathryn J. Mclay sold 4,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, July 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $95.14, for a total transaction of $380,560.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 1,056,455 shares in the company, valued at $100,511,128.70. This represents a 0.38% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Daniel J. Bartlett sold 1,744 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $95.60, for a total transaction of $166,726.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 649,233 shares in the company, valued at $62,066,674.80. This trade represents a 0.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 126,696 shares of company stock worth $12,222,245 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 45.58% of the company's stock.

Walmart Trading Up 0.9%

Shares of NYSE WMT traded up $0.85 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $97.45. 12,845,633 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 13,524,539. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $96.76 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $94.81. The company has a market capitalization of $777.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 41.65, a P/E/G ratio of 4.65 and a beta of 0.68. Walmart Inc. has a 12 month low of $66.67 and a 12 month high of $105.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a current ratio of 0.78 and a quick ratio of 0.22.

Walmart (NYSE:WMT - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 15th. The retailer reported $0.61 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.58 by $0.03. Walmart had a net margin of 2.75% and a return on equity of 21.76%. The business had revenue of $165.61 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $164.53 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.60 EPS. The firm's revenue was up 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Walmart Inc. will post 2.55 EPS for the current year.

Walmart Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, May 27th. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 12th were issued a dividend of $0.235 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 0.95%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 9th. Walmart's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 40.17%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently weighed in on WMT. Wall Street Zen upgraded Walmart from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, May 12th. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and issued a $103.00 price target (up previously from $102.00) on shares of Walmart in a report on Monday, June 9th. Sanford C. Bernstein reaffirmed an "outperform" rating on shares of Walmart in a report on Monday, May 5th. Tigress Financial increased their price target on Walmart from $115.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 2nd. Finally, Raymond James Financial cut their price target on Walmart from $115.00 to $105.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Friday, April 11th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirty have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $106.67.

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.