Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) Shares Bought by KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS

KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS increased its position in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT - Free Report) by 3.5% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,704,300 shares of the retailer's stock after purchasing an additional 56,900 shares during the period. Walmart makes up approximately 0.7% of KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS's holdings, making the stock its 21st biggest position. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS's holdings in Walmart were worth $149,958,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Walmart by 3.4% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 90,635,238 shares of the retailer's stock worth $8,167,186,000 after buying an additional 3,017,829 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Walmart in the 4th quarter worth about $5,737,355,000. Northern Trust Corp increased its holdings in Walmart by 8.9% in the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 43,641,936 shares of the retailer's stock worth $3,943,049,000 after buying an additional 3,550,037 shares in the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. increased its holdings in Walmart by 1.2% in the 4th quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 42,015,818 shares of the retailer's stock worth $3,796,129,000 after buying an additional 514,036 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nuveen Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in Walmart by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. Nuveen Asset Management LLC now owns 29,843,892 shares of the retailer's stock worth $2,696,396,000 after buying an additional 233,040 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 26.76% of the company's stock.

Walmart Stock Performance

Shares of WMT traded up $0.20 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $95.87. The company had a trading volume of 9,040,232 shares, compared to its average volume of 18,123,519. Walmart Inc. has a 52-week low of $66.67 and a 52-week high of $105.30. The company has a quick ratio of 0.22, a current ratio of 0.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. The stock has a market capitalization of $765.10 billion, a P/E ratio of 40.97, a PEG ratio of 4.60 and a beta of 0.68. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $96.81 and a two-hundred day moving average of $94.68.

Walmart (NYSE:WMT - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 15th. The retailer reported $0.61 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.58 by $0.03. Walmart had a net margin of 2.75% and a return on equity of 21.76%. The firm had revenue of $165.61 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $164.53 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.60 EPS. Walmart's quarterly revenue was up 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts expect that Walmart Inc. will post 2.55 earnings per share for the current year.

Walmart Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced 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 0.95%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 9th. Walmart's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 40.17%.

Insider Activity at Walmart

In other news, EVP Kathryn J. Mclay sold 28,000 shares of Walmart stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $97.00, for a total value of $2,716,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 1,064,455 shares in the company, valued at approximately $103,252,135. This trade represents a 2.56% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP John D. Rainey sold 2,200 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $99.00, for a total value of $217,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 630,518 shares in the company, valued at approximately $62,421,282. The trade was a 0.35% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 155,820 shares of company stock worth $14,965,435. 45.58% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

WMT has been the subject of several recent research reports. Citigroup reissued a "buy" rating on shares of Walmart in a report on Tuesday, May 6th. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a "buy" rating on shares of Walmart in a research note on Wednesday, March 26th. Mizuho raised their target price on shares of Walmart from $105.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Monday, June 9th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an "outperform" rating and set a $103.00 target price (up previously from $102.00) on shares of Walmart in a research note on Monday, June 9th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised Walmart from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, May 12th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirty have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price 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.