Murphy USA (NYSE:MUSA) Hits New 1-Year Low - Here's Why

Shares of Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA - Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week low during trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $400.90 and last traded at $402.97, with a volume of 296990 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $415.02.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MUSA has been the topic of several analyst reports. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Murphy USA from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, May 9th. KeyCorp lowered their price target on shares of Murphy USA from $550.00 to $525.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, May 9th. 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 price target on the stock. Stephens dropped their price objective on shares of Murphy USA from $530.00 to $475.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, May 9th. Finally, Melius Research upgraded Murphy USA to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, March 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Murphy USA currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $526.29.

Murphy USA Trading Down 0.0%

The firm's 50 day moving average is $463.67 and its 200 day moving average is $479.95. 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 capitalization of $7.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.62 and a beta of 0.50.

Murphy USA (NYSE:MUSA - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The specialty retailer reported $2.63 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $3.87 by ($1.24). The business had revenue of $4.53 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.79 billion. Murphy USA had a return on equity of 61.60% and a net margin of 2.48%. The firm's quarterly revenue was down 6.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $3.12 earnings per share. Equities analysts forecast that Murphy USA Inc. will post 26.45 earnings per share for the current year.

Murphy USA Increases Dividend

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

Insiders Place Their Bets

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

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Murphy USA

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. LPL Financial LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Murphy USA by 39.3% in the 4th quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 12,364 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $6,204,000 after buying an additional 3,486 shares during the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers lifted its position in Murphy USA by 3.6% during the 4th quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 4,603 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $2,310,000 after acquiring an additional 160 shares during the period. Proficio Capital Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Murphy USA during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $5,042,000. Sanctuary Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Murphy USA by 1.7% in the fourth quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC now owns 3,210 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $1,616,000 after buying an additional 55 shares during the last quarter. Finally, V Square Quantitative Management LLC increased its stake in Murphy USA by 37.0% in the 4th quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 100 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $50,000 after buying an additional 27 shares in the last quarter. 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.

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