Murphy USA (NYSE:MUSA) Given New $440.00 Price Target at Wells Fargo & Company

Key Points

• Wells Fargo has reduced its price target for Murphy USA from $520.00 to $440.00 while maintaining an "overweight" rating, indicating a potential upside of 26.03% from the current stock price.
• Several analysts have recently downgraded Murphy USA's ratings, with companies like Jefferies Financial Group and Raymond James Financial issuing "hold" ratings and consequently lowering their price targets.
• The specialty retailer reported a robust earnings per share of $7.36 for the last quarter, exceeding analysts' expectations, but its revenue was down 8.2% year-over-year, totaling $5.01 billion.

Murphy USA (NYSE:MUSA - Get Free Report) had its target price lowered by Wells Fargo & Company from $520.00 to $440.00 in a report released on Friday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an "overweight" rating on the specialty retailer's stock. Wells Fargo & Company's target price would suggest a potential upside of 21.34% from the stock's current price.

Other analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. KeyCorp lowered their price objective on shares of Murphy USA from $500.00 to $480.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, July 25th. Wall Street Zen cut Murphy USA from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, May 9th. Jefferies Financial Group cut Murphy USA from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and set a $350.00 target price on the stock. in a research note on Friday. Raymond James Financial cut Murphy USA from an "outperform" rating to a "market perform" rating in a research report on Friday, May 9th. Finally, Stephens cut their price target on Murphy USA from $530.00 to $475.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, May 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Murphy USA has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $476.29.

Murphy USA Trading Down 1.0%

Shares of MUSA traded down $3.53 during trading on Friday, reaching $362.63. 383,044 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 297,441. Murphy USA has a twelve month low of $345.23 and a twelve month high of $561.08. The stock has a market cap of $7.17 billion, a PE ratio of 15.02 and a beta of 0.43. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $415.27 and a 200-day simple moving average of $454.03. 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 (NYSE:MUSA - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 30th. The specialty retailer reported $7.36 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.82 by $0.54. The firm had revenue of $5.01 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.17 billion. Murphy USA had a net margin of 2.52% and a return on equity of 64.63%. Murphy USA's revenue for the quarter was down 8.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $6.92 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Murphy USA will post 26.45 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Murphy USA

In other news, Director David C. Haley acquired 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 27th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $435.58 per share, for a total transaction of $435,580.00. Following the acquisition, the director owned 1,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $435,580. This represents a ∞ increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders own 9.04% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Murphy USA

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. GW&K Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Murphy USA during the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. TCTC Holdings LLC grew its position in shares of Murphy USA by 116.7% during the 1st quarter. TCTC Holdings LLC now owns 65 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 35 shares during the last quarter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Murphy USA in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Murphy USA during the first quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Finally, Costello Asset Management INC acquired a new stake in shares of Murphy USA during the first quarter valued at approximately $47,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds 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.