Swiss National Bank Trims Stake in Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA)

Swiss National Bank cut its holdings in Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA - Free Report) by 2.9% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 37,267 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after selling 1,100 shares during the period. Swiss National Bank owned approximately 0.19% of Murphy USA worth $17,508,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. GW&K Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in Murphy USA during the first quarter worth $27,000. TCTC Holdings LLC increased its holdings in shares of Murphy USA by 116.7% during the first quarter. TCTC Holdings LLC now owns 65 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 35 shares in the last quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Murphy USA during the first quarter worth $40,000. Costello Asset Management INC acquired a new position in shares of Murphy USA during the first quarter worth $47,000. Finally, CX Institutional acquired a new position in shares of Murphy USA during the first quarter worth $59,000. 80.81% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Transactions at Murphy USA

In related news, COO Malynda K. West sold 1,859 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $386.22, for a total value of $717,982.98. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer owned 117,389 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $45,337,979.58. This trade represents a 1.56% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director David C. Haley purchased 1,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred 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 transaction, the director owned 1,000 shares in the company, valued at $435,580. This represents a ∞ increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders own 9.04% of the company's stock.

Murphy USA Trading Up 1.2%

Murphy USA stock traded up $4.76 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $393.42. 177,794 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 371,033. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.59 billion, a PE ratio of 16.29 and a beta of 0.42. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $406.95 and its 200 day simple moving average is $447.75. The company has a quick ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.20. Murphy USA Inc. has a twelve month low of $345.23 and a twelve month high of $561.08.

Murphy USA (NYSE:MUSA - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 30th. The specialty retailer reported $7.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $6.82 by $0.54. The company had revenue of $5.01 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $5.17 billion. Murphy USA had a net margin of 2.52% and a return on equity of 64.63%. The business's revenue was down 8.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $6.92 EPS. Research analysts predict that Murphy USA Inc. will post 26.45 earnings per share for the current year.

Murphy USA Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 4th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 25th will be given a dividend of $0.53 per share. This is a boost from Murphy USA's previous quarterly dividend of $0.50. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 25th. This represents a $2.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.5%. Murphy USA's payout ratio is currently 8.78%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Raymond James Financial downgraded shares of Murphy USA from an "outperform" rating to a "market perform" rating in a report on Friday, May 9th. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Murphy USA from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, May 9th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on Murphy USA from $520.00 to $440.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Friday, August 1st. KeyCorp decreased their price objective on Murphy USA from $500.00 to $480.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Friday, July 25th. Finally, Stephens decreased their price objective on Murphy USA from $530.00 to $475.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Friday, May 9th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $476.29.

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.