Russell Investments Group Ltd. Buys 3,860 Shares of Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA)

Russell Investments Group Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA - Free Report) by 74.7% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 9,028 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after purchasing an additional 3,860 shares during the quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd.'s holdings in Murphy USA were worth $3,219,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in MUSA. UMB Bank n.a. raised its stake in Murphy USA by 191.7% during the fourth quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 70 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 46 shares during the period. McGlone Suttner Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in Murphy USA in the fourth quarter valued at $44,000. Fifth Third Bancorp grew its position in Murphy USA by 34.2% during the third quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 153 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $52,000 after acquiring an additional 39 shares during the period. Key Financial Inc increased its stake in Murphy USA by 942.9% during the fourth quarter. Key Financial Inc now owns 146 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $52,000 after acquiring an additional 132 shares during the last quarter. Finally, C M Bidwell & Associates Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of Murphy USA by 42.6% in the 3rd quarter. C M Bidwell & Associates Ltd. now owns 174 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $59,000 after purchasing an additional 52 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.81% of the company's stock.

Murphy USA Stock Up 0.2 %

MUSA stock traded up $1.05 during trading on Monday, reaching $436.63. The stock had a trading volume of 341,247 shares, compared to its average volume of 221,408. The company has a current ratio of 0.87, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.28. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $414.93 and a 200 day moving average price of $387.09. The company has a market capitalization of $9.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.28 and a beta of 0.77. Murphy USA Inc. has a 1-year low of $268.69 and a 1-year high of $440.86.

Murphy USA (NYSE:MUSA - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, May 1st. The specialty retailer reported $3.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $4.09 by ($0.97). The business had revenue of $4.84 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.89 billion. Murphy USA had a return on equity of 64.45% and a net margin of 2.43%. The firm's revenue was down 4.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $4.80 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Murphy USA Inc. will post 25.72 earnings per share for the current year.

Murphy USA Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 3rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 20th will be paid a dividend of $0.44 per share. This is a boost from Murphy USA's previous quarterly dividend of $0.42. This represents a $1.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.40%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 17th. Murphy USA's dividend payout ratio is 7.05%.

Insider Transactions at Murphy USA

In other news, Director Rosemary Turner sold 205 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $400.00, for a total value of $82,000.00. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Murphy USA news, SVP Robert J. Chumley sold 7,016 shares of the 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 sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 6,448 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,607,700.16. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Rosemary Turner sold 205 shares of Murphy USA stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $400.00, for a total transaction of $82,000.00. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 10,645 shares of company stock valued at $4,326,582. 9.73% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently commented on the stock. StockNews.com lowered shares of Murphy USA from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday. Stephens reaffirmed an "overweight" rating and set a $470.00 price target on shares of Murphy USA in a research report on Wednesday, April 10th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on Murphy USA from $440.00 to $460.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, April 19th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on Murphy USA from $382.00 to $408.00 and gave the stock a "sector perform" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Murphy USA has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $408.60.

About Murphy USA

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.