Simmons Bank Has $21.23 Million Stock Position in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT)

Simmons Bank trimmed its holdings in shares of Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT - Free Report) by 3.9% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 241,857 shares of the retailer's stock after selling 9,821 shares during the period. Walmart accounts for about 1.6% of Simmons Bank's holdings, making the stock its 11th largest holding. Simmons Bank's holdings in Walmart were worth $21,233,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of WMT. World Investment Advisors increased its position in Walmart by 7.6% in the 4th quarter. World Investment Advisors now owns 271,515 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $24,532,000 after acquiring an additional 19,233 shares during the period. Cushing Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in Walmart in the 4th quarter valued at about $1,124,000. GWN Securities Inc. acquired a new position in Walmart during the 4th quarter worth approximately $4,658,000. Full Sail Capital LLC increased its position in Walmart by 6.6% during the 4th quarter. Full Sail Capital LLC now owns 8,702 shares of the retailer's stock worth $786,000 after purchasing an additional 541 shares during the period. Finally, Leslie Global Wealth LLC increased its position in Walmart by 22.0% during the 4th quarter. Leslie Global Wealth LLC now owns 3,154 shares of the retailer's stock worth $285,000 after purchasing an additional 568 shares during the period. 26.76% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CEO C Douglas Mcmillon sold 29,148 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $96.58, for a total transaction of $2,815,113.84. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 4,451,199 shares of the company's stock, valued at $429,896,799.42. This trade represents a 0.65% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP John D. Rainey sold 2,200 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $99.00, for a total value of $217,800.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 630,518 shares of the company's stock, valued at $62,421,282. This represents a 0.35% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 142,711 shares of company stock worth $13,710,319. 45.58% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on WMT shares. Sanford C. Bernstein reaffirmed an "outperform" rating on shares of Walmart in a report on Monday, May 5th. DA Davidson reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a $117.00 price objective on shares of Walmart in a report on Friday, May 16th. Evercore ISI upped their price objective on Walmart from $105.00 to $107.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, June 4th. Tigress Financial upped their price objective on Walmart from $115.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Walmart from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, May 12th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirty have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Walmart currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $106.67.

Walmart Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:WMT traded up $0.68 during trading on Friday, hitting $98.29. 7,686,204 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 18,068,909. The stock has a market capitalization of $784.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.03, a PEG ratio of 4.73 and a beta of 0.68. The business's fifty day moving average is $97.14 and its 200-day moving average is $94.35. Walmart Inc. has a one year low of $66.67 and a one year 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.

Walmart (NYSE:WMT - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 15th. The retailer reported $0.61 earnings per share (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 business had revenue of $165.61 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $164.53 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.60 EPS. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts predict that Walmart Inc. will post 2.55 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Walmart Announces Dividend

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

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.