Weatherly Asset Management L. P. Has $4.62 Million Stock Holdings in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT)

Weatherly Asset Management L. P. increased its stake in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT - Free Report) by 9.0% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 52,444 shares of the retailer's stock after buying an additional 4,348 shares during the period. Weatherly Asset Management L. P.'s holdings in Walmart were worth $4,615,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in WMT. Horizon Financial Services LLC boosted its holdings in Walmart by 1,007.7% in the fourth quarter. Horizon Financial Services LLC now owns 288 shares of the retailer's stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 262 shares during the period. EQ Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Walmart in the first quarter worth $35,000. Mizuho Bank Ltd. acquired a new position in Walmart in the fourth quarter worth $41,000. Nexus Investment Management ULC acquired a new position in Walmart in the first quarter worth $49,000. Finally, WealthTrak Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Walmart in the fourth quarter worth $53,000. Institutional investors own 26.76% of the company's stock.

Walmart Price Performance

WMT traded down $0.50 on Friday, reaching $94.36. The company had a trading volume of 14,577,628 shares, compared to its average volume of 18,135,436. The company has a fifty day moving average of $97.10 and a 200-day moving average of $94.51. The company has a market capitalization of $753.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 40.32, a PEG ratio of 4.54 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a current ratio of 0.78, a quick ratio of 0.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. Walmart Inc. has a one year low of $66.67 and a one year high of $105.30.

Walmart (NYSE:WMT - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, May 15th. The retailer reported $0.61 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.58 by $0.03. Walmart had a net margin of 2.75% and a return on equity of 21.76%. The firm had revenue of $165.61 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $164.53 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.60 EPS. Walmart's revenue was up 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Walmart Inc. will post 2.55 earnings per share for the current year.

Walmart Announces Dividend

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have commented on WMT shares. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of Walmart in a report on Wednesday, March 26th. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and issued a $103.00 price objective (up previously from $102.00) on shares of Walmart in a report on Monday, June 9th. Raymond James Financial decreased their price objective on shares of Walmart from $115.00 to $105.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Friday, April 11th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Walmart from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, May 12th. Finally, Tigress Financial boosted their price target on shares of Walmart from $115.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 2nd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirty have issued 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 target price of $106.67.

Insider Buying and Selling at Walmart

In other news, CEO C Douglas Mcmillon sold 29,148 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 22nd. The shares were 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 in the company, valued at approximately $429,896,799.42. This trade represents a 0.65% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, 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 shares were sold at an average price of $99.00, for a total transaction of $217,800.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 630,518 shares of the company's stock, 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. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 142,711 shares of company stock worth $13,710,319. Company insiders own 45.58% of the company's stock.

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.