ROI Financial Advisors LLC Raises Position in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT)

Key Points

• ROI Financial Advisors LLC increased its stake in Walmart Inc. by 11.7%, owning 48,194 shares valued at approximately $4.23 million, making Walmart the firm's 14th largest position.
• Walmart's recent earnings report showed an EPS of $0.61, surpassing analysts' expectations, with revenue of $165.61 billion for the quarter, representing a 2.5% year-over-year growth.
• Several analysts provided optimistic price targets for Walmart, with an average consensus price target of $106.67 and a majority rating the stock as a "Moderate Buy."

ROI Financial Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT - Free Report) by 11.7% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 48,194 shares of the retailer's stock after purchasing an additional 5,030 shares during the period. Walmart accounts for about 3.1% of ROI Financial Advisors LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 14th biggest position. ROI Financial Advisors LLC's holdings in Walmart were worth $4,231,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Bear Mountain Capital Inc. grew its stake in shares of Walmart by 98.2% during the first quarter. Bear Mountain Capital Inc. now owns 337 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 167 shares during the last quarter. EQ Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Walmart during the first quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Lipe & Dalton grew its stake in shares of Walmart by 95.2% during the first quarter. Lipe & Dalton now owns 410 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Nexus Investment Management ULC bought a new position in shares of Walmart during the first quarter valued at approximately $49,000. Finally, Vega Investment Solutions bought a new position in shares of Walmart during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $54,000. 26.76% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Walmart Stock Up 0.4%

Shares of WMT opened at $98.40 on Monday. Walmart Inc. has a 52 week low of $66.67 and a 52 week 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 company has a market capitalization of $785.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 42.05, a PEG ratio of 4.74 and a beta of 0.66. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $96.86 and its 200-day moving average price is $95.08.

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

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP John D. Rainey sold 2,200 shares of Walmart stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $98.44, for a total value of $216,568.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 628,318 shares in the company, valued at $61,851,623.92. The trade was a 0.35% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Kathryn J. Mclay sold 28,000 shares of Walmart stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $97.00, for a total value of $2,716,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 1,064,455 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $103,252,135. This represents a 2.56% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 143,912 shares of company stock worth $13,863,813 in the last 90 days. 45.58% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages recently issued reports on WMT. Telsey Advisory Group reissued an "outperform" rating and issued a $115.00 price objective on shares of Walmart in a research note on Monday, June 9th. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an "outperform" rating and issued a $103.00 price objective (up previously from $102.00) on shares of Walmart in a research note on Monday, June 9th. Raymond James Financial dropped their price objective on Walmart from $115.00 to $105.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, April 11th. Mizuho increased their price objective on Walmart from $105.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Monday, June 9th. Finally, Robert W. Baird increased their price objective on Walmart from $100.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, May 16th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirty have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Walmart has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $106.67.

About Walmart

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.

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