Mediolanum International Funds Ltd Sells 124,928 Shares of Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT)

Key Points

• Mediolanum International Funds Ltd reduced its holdings in Walmart Inc. by 44.7%, selling 124,928 shares to own 154,430 shares worth approximately $13.15 million.
• Walmart reported earnings per share of $0.61 for the last quarter, surpassing estimates and generating revenues of $165.61 billion, a 2.5% year-over-year increase.
• Research analysts have a favorable outlook for Walmart, with thirty analysts giving it a buy rating and a consensus price target of $106.67, reflecting growth potential.

Mediolanum International Funds Ltd decreased its holdings in shares of Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT - Free Report) by 44.7% in the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 154,430 shares of the retailer's stock after selling 124,928 shares during the period. Mediolanum International Funds Ltd's holdings in Walmart were worth $13,150,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. Nvwm LLC raised its position in Walmart by 2.4% during the 1st quarter. Nvwm LLC now owns 31,772 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $2,789,000 after purchasing an additional 751 shares during the last quarter. Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC raised its position in Walmart by 15,942.4% during the 1st quarter. Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC now owns 55,186 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $4,845,000 after purchasing an additional 54,842 shares during the last quarter. First Heartland Consultants Inc. raised its position in Walmart by 7.3% during the 1st quarter. First Heartland Consultants Inc. now owns 40,287 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $3,537,000 after purchasing an additional 2,758 shares during the last quarter. Bell & Brown Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in Walmart by 3.7% during the 1st quarter. Bell & Brown Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 57,346 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $5,035,000 after purchasing an additional 2,066 shares during the last quarter. Finally, AM Investment Strategies LLC raised its position in Walmart by 9.6% during the 1st quarter. AM Investment Strategies LLC now owns 24,459 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $2,147,000 after purchasing an additional 2,143 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 26.76% of the company's stock.

Insider Transactions at Walmart

In other news, EVP John D. Rainey sold 2,200 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $98.44, for a total transaction of $216,568.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 628,318 shares of the company's stock, valued at $61,851,623.92. This represents a 0.35% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, EVP John R. Furner sold 13,125 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, June 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $95.85, for a total value of $1,258,031.25. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 945,434 shares in the company, valued at $90,619,848.90. The trade was a 1.37% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 126,696 shares of company stock valued at $12,222,245 over the last 90 days. 45.58% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have commented on WMT shares. KeyCorp upped their price target on Walmart from $105.00 to $110.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, June 9th. Citigroup reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Walmart in a report on Tuesday, May 6th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Walmart from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, May 12th. Robert W. Baird upped their target price on Walmart from $100.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, May 16th. Finally, Mizuho upped their target price on Walmart from $105.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, June 9th. 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. According to MarketBeat.com, Walmart presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $106.67.

Walmart Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE WMT traded up $0.85 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $97.45. 12,845,633 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 12,596,366. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $96.76 and a two-hundred day moving average of $94.86. The firm has a market capitalization of $777.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 41.65, a PEG ratio of 4.69 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 0.22 and a current ratio of 0.78. Walmart Inc. has a one year low of $66.67 and a one year high of $105.30.

Walmart (NYSE:WMT - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 15th. The retailer reported $0.61 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.58 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $165.61 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $164.53 billion. Walmart had a return on equity of 21.76% and a net margin of 2.75%. The company's revenue was up 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.60 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Walmart Inc. will post 2.55 EPS for the current fiscal 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. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 9th. This represents a dividend yield of 0.95%. Walmart's payout ratio is 40.17%.

Walmart Company 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.