Exchange Traded Concepts LLC Decreases Position in Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA)

Exchange Traded Concepts LLC lowered its position in Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA - Free Report) by 77.7% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,765 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after selling 6,149 shares during the quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC's holdings in Murphy USA were worth $829,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Ritholtz Wealth Management lifted its holdings in Murphy USA by 10.6% during the first quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Management now owns 1,076 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $506,000 after buying an additional 103 shares during the period. Vista Finance LLC lifted its holdings in Murphy USA by 7.1% during the first quarter. Vista Finance LLC now owns 621 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $292,000 after buying an additional 41 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC lifted its holdings in Murphy USA by 1.3% during the first quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 3,538 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $1,663,000 after buying an additional 46 shares during the period. Fifth Third Bancorp lifted its holdings in Murphy USA by 18.7% during the first quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 203 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $95,000 after buying an additional 32 shares during the period. Finally, CX Institutional purchased a new stake in Murphy USA during the first quarter worth $59,000. Institutional investors own 80.81% of the company's stock.

Murphy USA Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE MUSA traded up $19.89 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $426.14. The stock had a trading volume of 454,914 shares, compared to its average volume of 222,930. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.74, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a current ratio of 0.80. The company has a 50 day moving average of $453.68 and a two-hundred day moving average of $474.25. Murphy USA Inc. has a twelve month low of $385.44 and a twelve month high of $561.08. The firm has a market cap of $8.42 billion, a PE ratio of 17.97 and a beta of 0.50.

Murphy USA (NYSE:MUSA - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The specialty retailer reported $2.63 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.87 by ($1.24). Murphy USA had a net margin of 2.46% and a return on equity of 61.19%. The firm had revenue of $4.53 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.79 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $3.12 earnings per share. Murphy USA's revenue was down 6.6% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts predict that Murphy USA Inc. will post 26.45 EPS for the current fiscal 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 is an increase from Murphy USA's previous quarterly dividend of $0.49. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.47%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, May 12th. Murphy USA's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 8.44%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director David C. Haley bought 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 27th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $435.58 per share, with a total value of $435,580.00. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 1,000 shares in the company, valued at $435,580. The trade was a ∞ increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 10.12% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

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

Murphy USA Company 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.