Henson Edgewater Management LLC Invests $6.82 Million in Walmart Inc. $WMT

Key Points

• Henson Edgewater Management initiated a $6.82 million Walmart position, purchasing 58,824 shares and making the retailer 3.8% of its portfolio. Institutional investors collectively own 26.76% of Walmart.
• Walmart beat quarterly expectations with $0.81 EPS versus $0.74 expected and revenue of $187.94 billion, up 5.9% year over year. Analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus with an average price target of $131.88.
• Walmart insiders sold 77,292 shares worth $8.42 million over the past three months, including transactions conducted under Rule 10b5-1 plans. The stock also faces valuation concerns and lowered fiscal 2027 EPS estimates from Erste Group Bank.

Henson Edgewater Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Walmart Inc. (NASDAQ:WMT - Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 58,824 shares of the retailer's stock, valued at approximately $6,824,000. Walmart makes up approximately 3.8% of Henson Edgewater Management LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 9th largest position.

Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Entrust Financial LLC acquired a new position in Walmart during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Merkkuri Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Walmart during the 1st quarter worth approximately $29,000. Bay Harbor Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Walmart by 57.4% in the 4th quarter. Bay Harbor Wealth Management LLC now owns 288 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 105 shares during the period. Sankala Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Walmart in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Finally, Motiv8 Investments LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Walmart in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 26.76% of the company's stock.

Insider Transactions at Walmart

In related news, EVP Daniel Danker sold 50,644 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $105.35, for a total value of $5,335,345.40. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 201,672 shares in the company, valued at $21,246,145.20. The trade was a 20.07% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Also, EVP Christopher James Nicholas sold 2,900 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $106.34, for a total transaction of $308,386.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 569,153 shares in the company, valued at approximately $60,523,730.02. The trade was a 0.51% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. In the last three months, insiders have sold 77,292 shares of company stock worth $8,421,143. Corporate insiders own 0.09% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on WMT shares. Gordon Haskett lowered Walmart from a "buy" rating to an "accumulate" rating in a report on Thursday, August 20th. DA Davidson set a $132.00 target price on Walmart and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, August 21st. Wolfe Research restated an "outperform" rating and set a $115.00 target price on shares of Walmart in a research report on Friday, August 21st. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a "buy" rating and set a $130.00 target price on shares of Walmart in a research report on Friday, August 21st. Finally, Piper Sandler reaffirmed an "overweight" rating and set a $128.00 price target (down from $137.00) on shares of Walmart in a research note on Friday, August 21st. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirty-two have issued a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Walmart presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $131.88.

Walmart Stock Performance

WMT opened at $104.87 on Tuesday. Walmart Inc. has a 1-year low of $95.79 and a 1-year high of $135.15. The stock has a market cap of $834.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.86, a P/E/G ratio of 3.92 and a beta of 0.61. The stock's 50 day simple moving average is $111.65 and its 200 day simple moving average is $120.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41, a current ratio of 0.77 and a quick ratio of 0.23.

Walmart (NASDAQ:WMT - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 20th. The retailer reported $0.81 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.74 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $187.94 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $186.64 billion. Walmart had a return on equity of 21.83% and a net margin of 3.00%.Walmart's revenue was up 5.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.68 earnings per share. Walmart has set its Q3 2027 guidance at 0.620-0.640 EPS and its FY 2027 guidance at 2.800-2.870 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Walmart Inc. will post 2.87 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Key Stories Impacting Walmart

Here are the key news stories impacting Walmart this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Walmart agreed to pay $50 million to settle U.S. Justice Department allegations involving improperly filled opioid prescriptions. Although the settlement carries a financial cost and reputational risk, it is viewed favorably because it resolves litigation that had exposed the company to potentially billions of dollars in civil penalties. Walmart described the payment as immaterial. Walmart escapes major legal penalty for a fraction of the cost
• Positive Sentiment: Walmart’s U.S. marketplace sales increased 52%, supported by a broader product selection, greater use of fulfillment services and international expansion in Mexico and Canada. Sustaining this momentum could improve e-commerce growth and marketplace profitability. Walmart's Marketplace Momentum Builds
• Positive Sentiment: Tigress Financial reaffirmed its buy rating and set a $155 price target, implying substantial upside from recent trading levels. This reflects confidence in Walmart’s long-term earnings and growth prospects. Benzinga analyst rating
• Neutral Sentiment: Commentary highlights Walmart’s 53-year record of dividend increases and notes that the stock is well below its peak. However, its dividend yield remains relatively low and its valuation is still elevated compared with the broader market. Walmart dividend analysis
• Negative Sentiment: Erste Group Bank lowered its fiscal 2027 EPS estimates, signaling expectations for slower earnings growth or increased cost pressure. Walmart’s recent earnings-related share-price weakness also indicates that investors remain sensitive to the company’s premium valuation. FY2027 EPS Estimates for Walmart Cut

About Walmart

Walmart is a multinational retail corporation that operates a broad portfolio of store formats and digital services. Its core business includes large-format supercenters, discount department stores, neighborhood grocery stores and a membership warehouse chain, Sam’s Club. The company’s merchandising mix covers groceries, household goods, apparel, electronics and pharmacy services, supplemented by private-label products and category-specific offerings. Walmart pairs its physical store network with online platforms and mobile applications to provide omnichannel shopping, fulfillment and delivery options for consumers and businesses.

The company was founded by Sam Walton, who opened the first store in Rogers, Arkansas in 1962; it is headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas.

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