Moloney Securities Asset Management LLC Increases Stock Position in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT)

Moloney Securities Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT - Free Report) by 26.5% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 70,294 shares of the retailer's stock after acquiring an additional 14,713 shares during the period. Walmart makes up 0.8% of Moloney Securities Asset Management LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 19th biggest position. Moloney Securities Asset Management LLC's holdings in Walmart were worth $6,171,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Whelan Financial grew its position in shares of Walmart by 2.3% in the 4th quarter. Whelan Financial now owns 4,339 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $392,000 after buying an additional 97 shares during the last quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Walmart by 1.7% in the 4th quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC now owns 5,937 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $538,000 after buying an additional 98 shares during the last quarter. Scott & Selber Inc. grew its position in shares of Walmart by 3.7% in the 1st quarter. Scott & Selber Inc. now owns 2,920 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $256,000 after buying an additional 105 shares during the last quarter. Capital Advisors Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of Walmart by 1.4% in the 1st quarter. Capital Advisors Wealth Management LLC now owns 7,794 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $684,000 after buying an additional 105 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Van Strum & Towne Inc. grew its position in shares of Walmart by 1.6% in the 4th quarter. Van Strum & Towne Inc. now owns 6,849 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $619,000 after buying an additional 108 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 26.76% of the company's stock.

Walmart Trading Down 0.1%

Shares of NYSE WMT traded down $0.14 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $96.95. The company had a trading volume of 13,682,144 shares, compared to its average volume of 18,050,156. Walmart Inc. has a one year low of $66.67 and a one year 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 firm's fifty day moving average price is $97.24 and its 200-day moving average price is $94.43. The stock has a market cap of $773.70 billion, a PE ratio of 41.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.78 and a beta of 0.68.

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

Walmart Dividend Announcement

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently commented on WMT shares. Telsey Advisory Group restated an "outperform" rating and set a $115.00 target price on shares of Walmart in a research report on Monday, June 9th. Evercore ISI raised their target price on Walmart from $105.00 to $107.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 4th. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their target price on Walmart from $93.00 to $91.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of Walmart in a research note on Wednesday, March 26th. Finally, Mizuho raised their target price on Walmart from $105.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Monday, June 9th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirty have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $106.67.

Insider Transactions at Walmart

In related news, EVP John R. Furner sold 13,125 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $95.85, for a total transaction of $1,258,031.25. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 945,434 shares of the company's stock, valued at $90,619,848.90. The trade was a 1.37% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Kathryn J. Mclay sold 28,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $97.00, for a total transaction of $2,716,000.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 1,064,455 shares in the company, valued at $103,252,135. The trade was a 2.56% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 142,711 shares of company stock worth $13,710,319. Corporate insiders own 45.58% of the company's stock.

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.