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 recipient of a significant increase in short interest in the month of 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. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 325,400 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 4.1 days. Currently, 7.5% of the company's shares are sold short. Currently, 7.5% of the company's shares are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 325,400 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 4.1 days.

Murphy USA Stock Performance

Shares of MUSA traded up $2.72 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $398.92. 333,405 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 275,230. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.70 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.52 and a beta of 0.44. The company has a quick ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.20. Murphy USA has a 12-month low of $345.23 and a 12-month high of $561.08. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $394.57 and a 200-day moving average price of $432.49.

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

Murphy USA Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 4th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 25th were paid a $0.53 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 25th. This is a positive change from Murphy USA's previous quarterly dividend of $0.50. This represents a $2.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.5%. Murphy USA's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 8.78%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently commented on the company. Jefferies Financial Group lowered Murphy USA from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and set a $350.00 price target on the stock. in a research note on Friday, August 1st. KeyCorp reissued an "overweight" rating and set a $480.00 price objective on shares of Murphy USA in a report on Friday, September 5th. Zacks Research raised shares of Murphy USA from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, August 20th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on Murphy USA from $520.00 to $440.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, August 1st. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $476.29.

Insider Activity at Murphy USA

In other Murphy USA news, Director Robert Madison Murphy bought 5,000 shares of Murphy USA stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 5th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $367.01 per share, for a total transaction of $1,835,050.00. Following the completion of the purchase, 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 position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, COO Malynda K. West sold 1,859 shares of the stock in a transaction 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 sale, the chief operating officer 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 disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 10.12% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of Murphy USA

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of MUSA. Ameriprise Financial Inc. boosted its position in Murphy USA by 1.9% in the 4th quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 22,522 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $11,301,000 after purchasing an additional 414 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its holdings in Murphy USA by 3.6% during the fourth quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 4,603 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $2,310,000 after buying an additional 160 shares in the last quarter. OMERS ADMINISTRATION Corp purchased a new stake in Murphy USA during the fourth quarter worth $251,000. Man Group plc boosted its stake in shares of Murphy USA by 25.1% during the 4th quarter. Man Group plc now owns 2,128 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $1,068,000 after acquiring an additional 427 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Quantinno Capital Management LP boosted its stake in shares of Murphy USA by 62.0% during the 4th quarter. Quantinno Capital Management LP now owns 1,398 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $701,000 after acquiring an additional 535 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.81% of the company's stock.

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.

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