Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA) Receives $526.29 Consensus Price Target from Brokerages

Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA - Get Free Report) has been given a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" by the eight research firms that are covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price target among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $526.29.

MUSA has been the subject of several analyst reports. Melius began coverage on Murphy USA in a research report on Tuesday, March 11th. They set a "buy" rating and a $600.00 price objective for the company. KeyCorp cut their target price on Murphy USA from $550.00 to $525.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, May 9th. Wall Street Zen lowered Murphy USA from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, May 9th. Raymond James Financial lowered Murphy USA from an "outperform" rating to a "market perform" rating in a report on Friday, May 9th. Finally, Stephens cut their price objective on shares of Murphy USA from $530.00 to $475.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, May 9th.

Murphy USA Stock Performance

MUSA traded up $3.75 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $408.26. 323,738 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 226,577. The stock has a market cap of $8.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.22 and a beta of 0.50. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $445.56 and a 200-day simple moving average of $471.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.74, a current ratio of 0.80 and a quick ratio of 0.39. Murphy USA has a 12 month low of $385.44 and a 12 month high of $561.08.

Murphy USA (NYSE:MUSA - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The specialty retailer reported $2.63 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $3.87 by ($1.24). Murphy USA had a return on equity of 61.19% and a net margin of 2.46%. The business had revenue of $4.53 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.79 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $3.12 earnings per share. The firm's revenue for the quarter was down 6.6% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts anticipate that Murphy USA will post 26.45 earnings per share for the current year.

Murphy USA Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 2nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 12th were paid a $0.50 dividend. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.49%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, May 12th. This is an increase from Murphy USA's previous quarterly dividend of $0.49. Murphy USA's payout ratio is currently 8.44%.

Insider Activity

In other Murphy USA news, Director David C. Haley acquired 1,000 shares of Murphy USA stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 27th. The stock was bought at an average price of $435.58 per share, for a total transaction of $435,580.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 1,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $435,580. This trade represents a ∞ increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders own 9.04% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of Murphy USA

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Inspire Investing LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Murphy USA by 14.7% during the first quarter. Inspire Investing LLC now owns 4,800 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $2,255,000 after purchasing an additional 614 shares during the last quarter. Bayforest Capital Ltd increased its stake in Murphy USA by 103.3% in the 1st quarter. Bayforest Capital Ltd now owns 744 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $350,000 after purchasing an additional 378 shares in the last quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC raised its holdings in shares of Murphy USA by 9.2% during the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 61,612 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $28,946,000 after acquiring an additional 5,184 shares during the period. United Services Automobile Association purchased a new stake in shares of Murphy USA in the first quarter valued at $536,000. Finally, Caxton Associates LLP acquired a new stake in Murphy USA during the 1st quarter worth about $799,000. 80.81% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Murphy USA Company Profile

Murphy USA Inc engages in marketing of retail motor fuel products and convenience merchandise. The company operates retail stores under the Murphy USA, Murphy Express, and QuickChek brands, as well as operates non-fuel convenience stores. It operates retail gasoline stores principally in the Southeast, Southwest, and Midwest United States.