Murphy USA (NYSE:MUSA) Trading 4.7% Higher - Here's What Happened

Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA - Get Free Report)'s stock price shot up 4.7% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $428.97 and last traded at $425.35. 214,772 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 3% from the average session volume of 222,032 shares. The stock had previously closed at $406.25.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have issued reports on MUSA. Melius Research raised Murphy USA to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 11th. KeyCorp reduced their price target on Murphy USA from $550.00 to $525.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, May 9th. Wall Street Zen cut Murphy USA from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, May 9th. Stephens reduced their price target on Murphy USA from $530.00 to $475.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, May 9th. Finally, Raymond James Financial cut Murphy USA from an "outperform" rating to a "market perform" rating in a research report on Friday, May 9th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Murphy USA presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $526.29.

Murphy USA Stock Down 0.2%

The company has a market cap of $8.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.10 and a beta of 0.50. The company has a 50 day moving average of $447.61 and a 200-day moving average of $472.51. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.74, a current ratio of 0.80 and a quick ratio of 0.39.

Murphy USA (NYSE:MUSA - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 7th. The specialty retailer reported $2.63 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.87 by ($1.24). The business had revenue of $4.53 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.79 billion. Murphy USA had a net margin of 2.46% and a return on equity of 61.19%. Murphy USA's quarterly revenue was down 6.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $3.12 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict 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. Investors of record on Monday, May 12th were paid a dividend of $0.50 per share. This is a positive change from Murphy USA's previous quarterly dividend of $0.49. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 12th. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.49%. Murphy USA's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 8.44%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director David C. Haley purchased 1,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 27th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $435.58 per share, with a total value of $435,580.00. Following the completion of the purchase, 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 legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Corporate insiders own 9.04% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Murphy USA

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. GW&K Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in Murphy USA during the first quarter worth about $27,000. TCTC Holdings LLC lifted its stake in shares of Murphy USA by 116.7% in the 1st quarter. TCTC Holdings LLC now owns 65 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 35 shares during the last quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Murphy USA in the 1st quarter valued at about $40,000. Costello Asset Management INC bought a new stake in shares of Murphy USA in the 1st quarter valued at about $47,000. Finally, WPG Advisers LLC bought a new stake in shares of Murphy USA in the 1st quarter valued at about $48,000. 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.