Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA) Stock Position Lowered by Leeward Investments LLC MA

Leeward Investments LLC MA cut its position in shares of Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA - Free Report) by 35.8% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 33,812 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after selling 18,871 shares during the quarter. Leeward Investments LLC MA owned 0.17% of Murphy USA worth $15,885,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Murphy USA during the first quarter worth $40,000. SG Americas Securities LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Murphy USA by 21.1% in the 1st quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 1,210 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $568,000 after buying an additional 211 shares during the period. Sowell Financial Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of Murphy USA in the 1st quarter valued at about $236,000. LPL Financial LLC lifted its holdings in Murphy USA by 39.3% in the fourth quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 12,364 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $6,204,000 after acquiring an additional 3,486 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Farther Finance Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Murphy USA by 63.5% in the first quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 157 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $75,000 after acquiring an additional 61 shares during the last quarter. 80.81% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity at Murphy USA

In other news, Director David C. Haley bought 1,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 27th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $435.58 per share, with a total value of $435,580.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director directly owned 1,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $435,580. This trade represents a ∞ increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 9.04% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on MUSA shares. KeyCorp cut their target price on shares of Murphy USA from $550.00 to $525.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, May 9th. Stephens cut their price target on Murphy USA from $530.00 to $475.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, May 9th. Wall Street Zen cut Murphy USA from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, May 9th. Raymond James Financial cut Murphy USA from an "outperform" rating to a "market perform" rating in a research note on Friday, May 9th. Finally, Melius began coverage on Murphy USA in a research note on Tuesday, March 11th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $600.00 target price on the stock. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $526.29.

Murphy USA Stock Performance

Murphy USA stock traded up $5.61 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $420.51. 125,855 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 227,595. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $437.49 and a 200 day moving average price of $466.71. The company has a quick ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.74. The company has a market cap of $8.31 billion, a PE ratio of 17.74 and a beta of 0.48. Murphy USA Inc. has a one year low of $385.44 and a one year high of $561.08.

Murphy USA (NYSE:MUSA - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 7th. The specialty retailer reported $2.63 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $3.87 by ($1.24). Murphy USA had a net margin of 2.46% and a return on equity of 61.19%. The company had revenue of $4.53 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.79 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $3.12 earnings per share. Murphy USA's revenue for the quarter was down 6.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts forecast that Murphy USA Inc. will post 26.45 EPS for the current year.

Murphy USA Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 2nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 12th were given a dividend of $0.50 per share. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.48%. This is an increase from Murphy USA's previous quarterly dividend of $0.49. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 12th. Murphy USA's payout ratio is 8.44%.

About Murphy USA

Murphy USA Inc engages in marketing of retail motor fuel products and convenience merchandise. The company operates retail stores under the Murphy USA, Murphy Express, and QuickChek brands, as well as operates non-fuel convenience stores. It operates retail gasoline stores principally in the Southeast, Southwest, and Midwest United States.