Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) Shares Sold by Strategic Planning Group LLC

Strategic Planning Group LLC decreased its stake in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT - Free Report) by 10.7% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 156,350 shares of the retailer's stock after selling 18,660 shares during the quarter. Walmart makes up 2.7% of Strategic Planning Group LLC's holdings, making the stock its 11th largest position. Strategic Planning Group LLC's holdings in Walmart were worth $13,726,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Accel Wealth Management increased its holdings in shares of Walmart by 12.6% during the 1st quarter. Accel Wealth Management now owns 6,595 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $579,000 after purchasing an additional 740 shares in the last quarter. Apella Capital LLC boosted its holdings in Walmart by 99.7% during the first quarter. Apella Capital LLC now owns 16,238 shares of the retailer's stock worth $1,455,000 after buying an additional 8,106 shares in the last quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. grew its position in Walmart by 4.4% during the first quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. now owns 94,508 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $8,297,000 after buying an additional 3,979 shares during the period. Clarus Wealth Advisors purchased a new position in Walmart in the first quarter valued at $278,000. Finally, Mainstream Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Walmart by 13.6% in the first quarter. Mainstream Capital Management LLC now owns 12,345 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $1,084,000 after buying an additional 1,474 shares in the last quarter. 26.76% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Walmart Trading Down 1.5%

Shares of NYSE WMT traded down $1.53 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $97.82. 15,800,659 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 17,879,705. The firm has a market capitalization of $782.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 40.59, a PEG ratio of 4.42 and a beta of 0.69. Walmart Inc. has a 52-week low of $65.64 and a 52-week high of $105.30. The company's 50-day moving average is $94.33 and its 200-day moving average is $93.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a current ratio of 0.82.

Walmart (NYSE:WMT - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, May 15th. The retailer reported $0.61 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.58 by $0.03. Walmart had a return on equity of 21.87% and a net margin of 2.85%. The firm had revenue of $165.61 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $164.53 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.60 EPS. Walmart's revenue was up 2.5% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts expect that Walmart Inc. will post 2.55 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Walmart Dividend Announcement

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

WMT has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Mizuho initiated coverage on shares of Walmart in a research report on Friday, April 11th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $105.00 price objective for the company. DA Davidson restated a "buy" rating and set a $117.00 price target on shares of Walmart in a research report on Friday, May 16th. Citigroup reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of Walmart in a research note on Tuesday, May 6th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Walmart from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, May 12th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein reissued an "outperform" rating on shares of Walmart in a report on Monday, May 5th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirty-one have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Walmart presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $105.16.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CEO C Douglas Mcmillon sold 29,124 shares of Walmart stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $85.63, for a total transaction of $2,493,888.12. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 3,972,517 shares in the company, valued at approximately $340,166,630.71. The trade was a 0.73% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP John D. Rainey sold 2,200 shares of Walmart stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $99.00, for a total value of $217,800.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 630,518 shares in the company, valued at approximately $62,421,282. This trade represents a 0.35% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 137,534 shares of company stock valued at $12,833,664 in the last three months. 45.58% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

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.