Sapient Capital LLC Cuts Stake in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT)

Sapient Capital LLC lessened its position in shares of Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT - Free Report) by 1.4% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 404,477 shares of the retailer's stock after selling 5,600 shares during the period. Walmart comprises 0.7% of Sapient Capital LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 28th biggest holding. Sapient Capital LLC's holdings in Walmart were worth $35,604,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in WMT. FPC Investment Advisory Inc. acquired a new position in Walmart during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Horizon Financial Services LLC lifted its position in shares of Walmart by 1,007.7% during the 4th quarter. Horizon Financial Services LLC now owns 288 shares of the retailer's stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 262 shares during the last quarter. Noble Wealth Management PBC purchased a new stake in shares of Walmart during the 4th quarter worth approximately $37,000. Mizuho Bank Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of Walmart during the 4th quarter worth approximately $41,000. Finally, Nexus Investment Management ULC purchased a new stake in shares of Walmart during the 1st quarter worth approximately $49,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 26.76% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity at Walmart

In other Walmart news, EVP Daniel J. Bartlett sold 1,760 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $94.82, for a total transaction of $166,883.20. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 520,275 shares of the company's stock, valued at $49,332,475.50. This trade represents a 0.34% decrease in their position. 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 the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $99.00, for a total transaction of $217,800.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 630,518 shares in the company, valued at $62,421,282. This represents a 0.35% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 137,534 shares of company stock valued at $12,833,664. Insiders own 45.58% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Evercore ISI boosted their price objective on shares of Walmart from $105.00 to $107.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 4th. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on shares of Walmart from $107.00 to $111.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, May 16th. DZ Bank upgraded shares of Walmart from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $110.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Tuesday, February 25th. Citigroup reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Walmart in a research report on Tuesday, May 6th. Finally, DA Davidson reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $117.00 price target on shares of Walmart in a research report on Friday, May 16th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirty have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $106.50.

Walmart Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:WMT traded down $0.63 on Friday, reaching $94.20. 18,672,575 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 17,944,516. The company has a current ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40. Walmart Inc. has a 1-year low of $66.41 and a 1-year high of $105.30. The firm has a market cap of $751.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.42 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a 50-day moving average of $95.79 and a 200-day moving average of $94.08.

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

Walmart Dividend Announcement

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

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.