Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA) Stock Holdings Lifted by LSV Asset Management

LSV Asset Management increased its holdings in shares of Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA - Free Report) by 9.7% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 96,230 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after buying an additional 8,500 shares during the period. LSV Asset Management owned about 0.45% of Murphy USA worth $34,312,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. International Assets Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Murphy USA by 35,556.0% in the fourth quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 269,916 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $96,241,000 after acquiring an additional 269,159 shares during the last quarter. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Murphy USA during the third quarter worth $49,209,000. FMR LLC grew its holdings in shares of Murphy USA by 15.0% during the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 1,080,410 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $369,208,000 after buying an additional 140,879 shares in the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. purchased a new position in shares of Murphy USA in the third quarter worth about $32,125,000. Finally, Invesco Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of Murphy USA by 30.8% in the third quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 308,398 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $105,389,000 after buying an additional 72,537 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.81% of the company's stock.

Murphy USA Trading Up 2.6 %

MUSA stock traded up $10.12 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $402.56. 319,223 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 218,167. Murphy USA Inc. has a 1-year low of $268.69 and a 1-year high of $430.83. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $414.77 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $385.36. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.38 billion, a PE ratio of 16.89 and a beta of 0.77. The company has a current ratio of 0.87, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.28.

Murphy USA (NYSE:MUSA - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 1st. The specialty retailer reported $3.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $4.09 by ($0.97). The company had revenue of $4.84 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.89 billion. Murphy USA had a net margin of 2.43% and a return on equity of 64.45%. The firm's quarterly revenue was down 4.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $4.80 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Murphy USA Inc. will post 26.29 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Murphy USA Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 7th. Investors of record on Monday, February 26th were given a dividend of $0.42 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 23rd. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.42%. This is a boost from Murphy USA's previous quarterly dividend of $0.41. Murphy USA's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 7.05%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have commented on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on shares of Murphy USA from $382.00 to $408.00 and gave the company a "sector perform" rating in a report on Thursday, February 8th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on Murphy USA from $440.00 to $460.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, April 19th. Finally, Stephens reaffirmed an "overweight" rating and issued a $470.00 target price on shares of Murphy USA in a research note on Wednesday, April 10th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Murphy USA presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $408.60.

Insider Activity at Murphy USA

In related news, SVP Christopher A. Click sold 664 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $415.55, for a total transaction of $275,925.20. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 2,413 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,002,722.15. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, SVP Christopher A. Click sold 664 shares of Murphy USA stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $415.55, for a total value of $275,925.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 2,413 shares in the company, valued at $1,002,722.15. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Jeanne Linder Phillips sold 1,525 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $411.42, for a total transaction of $627,415.50. Following the sale, the director now owns 2,670 shares in the company, valued at $1,098,491.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 10,440 shares of company stock worth $4,244,582. Insiders own 9.04% of the company's stock.

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.