Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA) Short Interest Up 41.4% in August

Key Points

• Murphy USA Inc. saw a significant increase in short interest by 41.4% in August, rising from 933,800 shares to 1,320,000 shares.
• The company's quarterly earnings revealed $7.36 earnings per share, beating estimates, but revenue decreased by 8.2% year-over-year.
• Murphy USA recently increased its quarterly dividend from $0.50 to $0.53, marking a positive change for shareholders.

Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA - Get Free Report) was the target of a large increase in short interest in August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totaling 1,320,000 shares, an increase of 41.4% from the August 15th total of 933,800 shares. Currently, 7.5% of the company's stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 325,400 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 4.1 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 325,400 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 4.1 days. Currently, 7.5% of the company's stock are short sold.

Murphy USA Price Performance

MUSA stock traded up $0.97 on Friday, hitting $382.85. 579,539 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 304,293. The company has a current ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.20. The stock has a market cap of $7.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.85 and a beta of 0.44. Murphy USA has a 1-year low of $345.23 and a 1-year high of $561.08. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $392.27 and a 200-day moving average of $431.07.

Murphy USA (NYSE:MUSA - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 30th. The specialty retailer reported $7.36 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.82 by $0.54. Murphy USA had a net margin of 2.52% and a return on equity of 64.63%. The company had revenue of $5.01 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.17 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $6.92 EPS. Murphy USA's quarterly revenue was down 8.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts forecast that Murphy USA will post 26.45 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Murphy USA Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 4th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 25th were given a dividend of $0.53 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 25th. This represents a $2.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.6%. This is a boost from Murphy USA's previous quarterly dividend of $0.50. Murphy USA's payout ratio is currently 8.78%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MUSA has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group lowered Murphy USA from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and set a $350.00 price objective for the company. in a research report on Friday, August 1st. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on Murphy USA from $520.00 to $440.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, August 1st. Zacks Research upgraded Murphy USA from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, August 20th. Finally, KeyCorp reissued an "overweight" rating and issued a $480.00 target price on shares of Murphy USA in a report on Friday, September 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $483.17.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, COO Malynda K. West sold 1,859 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $386.22, for a total value of $717,982.98. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer directly owned 117,389 shares in the company, valued at approximately $45,337,979.58. The trade was a 1.56% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Robert Madison Murphy acquired 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 5th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $367.01 per share, for a total transaction of $1,835,050.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 389,172 shares in the company, valued at approximately $142,830,015.72. This trade represents a 1.30% increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 9.04% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Murphy USA

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Independent Advisor Alliance boosted its position in shares of Murphy USA by 4.9% during the first quarter. Independent Advisor Alliance now owns 489 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $230,000 after buying an additional 23 shares during the last quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue increased its stake in Murphy USA by 1.2% in the 1st quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 2,130 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $1,000,000 after acquiring an additional 25 shares during the last quarter. Vista Finance LLC increased its stake in Murphy USA by 4.0% in the 2nd quarter. Vista Finance LLC now owns 646 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $263,000 after acquiring an additional 25 shares during the last quarter. US Bancorp DE increased its stake in Murphy USA by 0.7% in the 1st quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 4,473 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $2,101,000 after acquiring an additional 29 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fortune Financial Advisors LLC increased its stake in Murphy USA by 1.6% in the 2nd quarter. Fortune Financial Advisors LLC now owns 1,821 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $741,000 after acquiring an additional 29 shares during the last quarter. 80.81% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.