Leeward Investments LLC MA Has $25.37 Million Holdings in Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA)

Leeward Investments LLC MA lessened its position in Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA - Free Report) by 14.3% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 71,137 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after selling 11,896 shares during the quarter. Murphy USA makes up about 1.2% of Leeward Investments LLC MA's holdings, making the stock its 12th biggest holding. Leeward Investments LLC MA owned 0.33% of Murphy USA worth $25,365,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in MUSA. National Bank of Canada FI lifted its position in shares of Murphy USA by 532.1% in the 3rd quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 3,546 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $1,225,000 after acquiring an additional 2,985 shares in the last quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in Murphy USA by 14.2% in the 3rd quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,220 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $417,000 after buying an additional 152 shares during the period. SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new position in Murphy USA in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $226,000. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC acquired a new position in Murphy USA in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $94,000. Finally, DAVENPORT & Co LLC acquired a new position in Murphy USA in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $208,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.81% of the company's stock.

Murphy USA Stock Up 0.2 %

Shares of MUSA traded up $0.80 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $421.34. 166,767 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 206,271. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $414.58 and a two-hundred day moving average of $383.30. Murphy USA Inc. has a twelve month low of $267.93 and a twelve month high of $430.83. The stock has a market cap of $8.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.52 and a beta of 0.76. The company has a quick ratio of 0.56, a current ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.15.

Murphy USA (NYSE:MUSA - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 7th. The specialty retailer reported $7.00 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.79 by $1.21. The company had revenue of $5.07 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.32 billion. Murphy USA had a net margin of 2.59% and a return on equity of 70.92%. Murphy USA's quarterly revenue was down 5.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $5.21 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Murphy USA Inc. will post 26.29 earnings per share for the current year.

Murphy USA Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 7th. Investors of record on Monday, February 26th were issued a dividend of $0.42 per share. This is an increase from Murphy USA's previous quarterly dividend of $0.41. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.40%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 23rd. Murphy USA's dividend payout ratio is currently 6.59%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, SVP Robert J. Chumley sold 7,016 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $404.42, for a total transaction of $2,837,410.72. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 6,448 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,607,700.16. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In related news, SVP Robert J. Chumley sold 7,016 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $404.42, for a total transaction of $2,837,410.72. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 6,448 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,607,700.16. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, SVP Christopher A. Click sold 664 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $415.55, for a total transaction of $275,925.20. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 2,413 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,002,722.15. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 10,440 shares of company stock valued at $4,244,582. Company insiders own 9.04% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of Murphy USA from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and upped their price objective for the company from $375.00 to $425.00 in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. Stephens reiterated an "overweight" rating and issued a $470.00 price objective on shares of Murphy USA in a research note on Wednesday, April 10th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on shares of Murphy USA from $382.00 to $408.00 and gave the company a "sector perform" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 8th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of Murphy USA from $440.00 to $460.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Friday, April 19th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, Murphy USA currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $408.60.

Murphy USA 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.