LSV Asset Management Has $6.08 Million Stock Holdings in Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA)

LSV Asset Management cut its position in shares of Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA - Free Report) by 61.5% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 12,120 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after selling 19,400 shares during the quarter. LSV Asset Management owned approximately 0.06% of Murphy USA worth $6,081,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of MUSA. Captrust Financial Advisors purchased a new position in Murphy USA during the third quarter worth about $204,000. Quantinno Capital Management LP increased its stake in Murphy USA by 35.3% during the third quarter. Quantinno Capital Management LP now owns 863 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $425,000 after acquiring an additional 225 shares during the last quarter. Stifel Financial Corp raised its holdings in shares of Murphy USA by 22.2% in the 3rd quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 8,385 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $4,133,000 after purchasing an additional 1,526 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP purchased a new stake in shares of Murphy USA during the 3rd quarter worth about $3,836,000. Finally, Barclays PLC increased its position in Murphy USA by 46.4% during the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 9,890 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $4,874,000 after purchasing an additional 3,135 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.81% of the company's stock.

Murphy USA Stock Performance

NYSE MUSA traded up $4.57 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $511.03. The company had a trading volume of 134,910 shares, compared to its average volume of 204,521. The company has a quick ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.18. The firm has a market cap of $10.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.12 and a beta of 0.73. Murphy USA Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $382.04 and a fifty-two week high of $561.08. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $469.44 and a 200-day simple moving average of $492.98.

Murphy USA (NYSE:MUSA - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 5th. The specialty retailer reported $6.96 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $6.46 by $0.50. Murphy USA had a net margin of 2.48% and a return on equity of 61.60%. Equities analysts predict that Murphy USA Inc. will post 26.45 EPS for the current year.

Murphy USA Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 5th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 24th were issued a dividend of $0.49 per share. This represents a $1.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.38%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 24th. This is a boost from Murphy USA's previous quarterly dividend of $0.48. Murphy USA's payout ratio is 8.10%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have issued reports on MUSA. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Murphy USA from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday. Melius assumed coverage on shares of Murphy USA in a research note on Tuesday, March 11th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $600.00 target price on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on Murphy USA from $555.00 to $550.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 7th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on Murphy USA from $550.00 to $554.00 and gave the company a "sector perform" rating in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, KeyCorp initiated coverage on Murphy USA in a research note on Friday, April 11th. They set an "overweight" rating and a $550.00 price objective on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, three have given a buy rating and three have issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $539.00.

Insider Transactions at Murphy USA

In other news, Director Jeanne Linder Phillips sold 797 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $452.31, for a total value of $360,491.07. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 2,349 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,062,476.19. This represents a 25.33 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CMO Renee M. Bacon sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $469.58, for a total transaction of $939,160.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief marketing officer now owns 5,927 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,783,200.66. This trade represents a 25.23 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 3,594 shares of company stock worth $1,695,043. Company insiders own 9.04% of the company's stock.

About Murphy USA

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.