Weaver Capital Management LLC Purchases 3,588 Shares of Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT)

Weaver Capital Management LLC boosted its position in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT - Free Report) by 7.7% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 50,363 shares of the retailer's stock after purchasing an additional 3,588 shares during the period. Walmart makes up approximately 1.2% of Weaver Capital Management LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 18th biggest holding. Weaver Capital Management LLC's holdings in Walmart were worth $4,421,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. FPC Investment Advisory Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Walmart during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Horizon Financial Services LLC raised its stake in shares of Walmart by 1,007.7% during the fourth quarter. Horizon Financial Services LLC now owns 288 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 262 shares in the last quarter. Noble Wealth Management PBC bought a new stake in shares of Walmart during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Mizuho Bank Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of Walmart during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $41,000. Finally, Nexus Investment Management ULC bought a new stake in shares of Walmart during the first quarter valued at approximately $49,000. Institutional investors own 26.76% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Daniel J. Bartlett sold 1,760 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $94.77, for a total transaction of $166,795.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 650,977 shares in the company, valued at $61,693,090.29. This represents a 0.27% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP John D. Rainey sold 2,200 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $88.66, for a total transaction of $195,052.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 398,024 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $35,288,807.84. This trade represents a 0.55% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 135,294 shares of company stock worth $12,656,659 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 45.58% of the company's stock.

Walmart Trading Up 1.1%

Shares of Walmart stock opened at $96.16 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $96.39 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $94.15. The company has a market cap of $767.41 billion, a P/E ratio of 41.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.69 and a beta of 0.69. Walmart Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $66.55 and a fifty-two week 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 issued its quarterly earnings data 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. Walmart had a net margin of 2.75% and a return on equity of 21.76%. The business had revenue of $165.61 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $164.53 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.60 earnings per share. The company's revenue 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 Dividend Announcement

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have recently weighed in on WMT shares. Mizuho lifted their price target on shares of Walmart from $105.00 to $115.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Monday, June 9th. Telsey Advisory Group reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and set a $115.00 price target on shares of Walmart in a research note on Monday, June 9th. Guggenheim reissued a "buy" rating and issued a $100.00 price objective on shares of Walmart in a research note on Monday, February 24th. Citigroup reissued a "buy" rating on shares of Walmart in a research note on Tuesday, May 6th. Finally, UBS Group reduced their price objective on shares of Walmart from $112.00 to $110.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 10th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirty have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $106.50.

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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