Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) Stake Raised by Westchester Capital Management Inc.

Key Points

• Westchester Capital Management Inc. increased its stake in Walmart by 2.5% during the first quarter, now owning 264,199 shares valued at approximately $23.19 million.
• Walmart reported $0.61 EPS for the last quarter, exceeding analysts' expectations, with a revenue of $165.61 billion, a 2.5% year-over-year increase.
• Several analysts have upgraded Walmart's stock rating, with the consensus now at a "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $106.67.

Westchester Capital Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT - Free Report) by 2.5% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 264,199 shares of the retailer's stock after purchasing an additional 6,322 shares during the period. Walmart makes up about 5.8% of Westchester Capital Management Inc.'s holdings, making the stock its 4th largest position. Westchester Capital Management Inc.'s holdings in Walmart were worth $23,194,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in WMT. Eagle Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Walmart by 9.1% during the 4th quarter. Eagle Capital Management LLC now owns 3,861 shares of the retailer's stock worth $349,000 after purchasing an additional 321 shares in the last quarter. Brighton Jones LLC boosted its position in shares of Walmart by 28.8% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 98,150 shares of the retailer's stock worth $8,868,000 after purchasing an additional 21,939 shares in the last quarter. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of Walmart by 5.8% during the 4th quarter. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC now owns 8,849 shares of the retailer's stock worth $800,000 after purchasing an additional 485 shares in the last quarter. Highview Capital Management LLC DE boosted its position in shares of Walmart by 4.9% during the 4th quarter. Highview Capital Management LLC DE now owns 36,945 shares of the retailer's stock worth $3,338,000 after purchasing an additional 1,720 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bryce Point Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Walmart in the 4th quarter worth about $531,000. 26.76% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Walmart Stock Up 0.4%

WMT opened at $98.40 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $96.86 and a 200 day moving average price of $95.03. The company has a market cap of $785.27 billion, a PE ratio of 42.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.72 and a beta of 0.66. Walmart Inc. has a 1 year low of $66.67 and a 1 year high of $105.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 0.22 and a current ratio of 0.78.

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 analysts' consensus estimates of $0.58 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $165.61 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $164.53 billion. Walmart had a net margin of 2.75% and a return on equity of 21.76%. The company's revenue was up 2.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.60 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Walmart Inc. will post 2.55 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP John R. Furner sold 13,125 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $95.14, for a total transaction of $1,248,712.50. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 932,313 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $88,700,258.82. This represents a 1.39% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Daniel J. Bartlett sold 1,744 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $95.60, for a total transaction of $166,726.40. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 649,233 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $62,066,674.80. This trade represents a 0.27% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 143,912 shares of company stock worth $13,863,813. Insiders own 45.58% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have weighed in on WMT shares. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Walmart from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, May 12th. UBS Group cut their target price on shares of Walmart from $112.00 to $110.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 10th. KeyCorp lifted their target price on shares of Walmart from $105.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, June 9th. Evercore ISI lifted their target price 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. Finally, Raymond James Financial cut their target price on shares of Walmart from $115.00 to $105.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, April 11th. Two 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. Based on data from MarketBeat, Walmart has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $106.67.

Walmart 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.

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