MQS Management LLC Takes Position in Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA)

MQS Management LLC purchased a new position in Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA - Free Report) in the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 1,088 shares of the specialty retailer's stock, valued at approximately $511,000.

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Murphy USA in the 1st quarter worth approximately $40,000. CX Institutional purchased a new stake in Murphy USA in the first quarter worth $59,000. Johnson Financial Group Inc. bought a new position in Murphy USA in the fourth quarter worth $64,000. Farther Finance Advisors LLC lifted its position in Murphy USA by 63.5% during the first quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 157 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $75,000 after buying an additional 61 shares during the period. Finally, Fifth Third Bancorp boosted its holdings in shares of Murphy USA by 18.7% during the 1st quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 203 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $95,000 after buying an additional 32 shares in the last quarter. 80.81% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Murphy USA Stock Performance

Shares of MUSA opened at $425.49 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $8.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.95 and a beta of 0.48. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $429.92 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $463.10. Murphy USA Inc. has a 12 month low of $385.44 and a 12 month high of $561.08. The company has a current ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.74.

Murphy USA (NYSE:MUSA - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results 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). The business had revenue of $4.53 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.79 billion. Murphy USA had a return on equity of 61.19% and a net margin of 2.46%. Murphy USA's quarterly revenue was down 6.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $3.12 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Murphy USA Inc. will post 26.45 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Murphy USA Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 2nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 12th were paid a $0.50 dividend. This is an increase from Murphy USA's previous quarterly dividend of $0.49. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.47%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, May 12th. Murphy USA's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 8.44%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Raymond James Financial cut shares of Murphy USA from an "outperform" rating to a "market perform" rating in a research report on Friday, May 9th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Murphy USA from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, May 9th. KeyCorp cut their price target on Murphy USA from $550.00 to $525.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, May 9th. Finally, Stephens lowered their price objective on Murphy USA from $530.00 to $475.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, May 9th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Murphy USA currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $526.29.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director David C. Haley purchased 1,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 27th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $435.58 per share, for a total transaction of $435,580.00. Following the purchase, the director directly owned 1,000 shares in the company, valued at $435,580. This trade represents a ∞ increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 9.04% of the company's stock.

Murphy USA Profile

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.

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