Short Interest in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) Grows By 26.4%

Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 46,590,000 shares, an increase of 26.4% from the March 31st total of 36,870,000 shares. Currently, 1.1% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 22,880,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.0 days.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Roth Mkm reissued a "buy" rating and issued a $108.00 target price (up previously from $97.00) on shares of Walmart in a report on Friday, February 21st. Mizuho assumed coverage on shares of Walmart in a research note on Friday, April 11th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $105.00 price objective for the company. Telsey Advisory Group reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and set a $115.00 target price on shares of Walmart in a research note on Thursday, April 10th. Sanford C. Bernstein reiterated an "outperform" rating on shares of Walmart in a research note on Monday. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group restated a "buy" rating on shares of Walmart in a research report on Wednesday, March 26th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirty-one have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Walmart presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $103.94.

Walmart Stock Up 0.2 %

Shares of WMT stock traded up $0.21 on Wednesday, reaching $98.76. 11,301,127 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 17,814,602. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40, a current ratio of 0.82 and a quick ratio of 0.23. The company has a 50-day moving average of $90.62 and a 200-day moving average of $91.65. The company has a market cap of $790.13 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 40.98, a PEG ratio of 4.42 and a beta of 0.70. Walmart has a one year low of $59.44 and a one year high of $105.30.

Walmart (NYSE:WMT - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 20th. The retailer reported $0.66 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.64 by $0.02. Walmart had a return on equity of 21.87% and a net margin of 2.85%. The firm had revenue of $180.55 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $178.83 billion. Analysts anticipate that Walmart will post 2.55 earnings per share for the current year.

Walmart Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 27th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 12th will be paid a $0.235 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 9th. This represents a yield of 0.95%. Walmart's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 39.00%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Walmart

In other news, CEO C Douglas Mcmillon sold 29,124 shares of Walmart stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $85.63, for a total value of $2,493,888.12. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 3,972,517 shares in the company, valued at approximately $340,166,630.71. This trade represents a 0.73 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Daniel J. Bartlett sold 1,600 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $103.99, for a total value of $166,384.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 423,597 shares of the company's stock, valued at $44,049,852.03. This trade represents a 0.38 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 133,857 shares of company stock valued at $12,444,743 in the last ninety days. 45.58% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Walmart

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Whelan Financial lifted its stake in shares of Walmart by 2.3% during the 4th quarter. Whelan Financial now owns 4,339 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $392,000 after buying an additional 97 shares in the last quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Walmart by 1.7% during the fourth quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC now owns 5,937 shares of the retailer's stock worth $538,000 after acquiring an additional 98 shares in the last quarter. Coyle Financial Counsel LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Walmart by 3.1% in the fourth quarter. Coyle Financial Counsel LLC now owns 3,431 shares of the retailer's stock worth $310,000 after acquiring an additional 102 shares during the period. Bedel Financial Consulting Inc. raised its stake in shares of Walmart by 0.4% during the 1st quarter. Bedel Financial Consulting Inc. now owns 25,915 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $2,275,000 after purchasing an additional 102 shares during the period. Finally, SC&H Financial Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in Walmart by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. SC&H Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 10,232 shares of the retailer's stock worth $924,000 after purchasing an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 26.76% of the company's stock.

About Walmart

Walmart Inc engages in the operation of retail, wholesale, other units, and eCommerce worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sam's Club. It operates supercenters, supermarkets, hypermarkets, warehouse clubs, cash and carry stores, and discount stores under Walmart and Walmart Neighborhood Market brands; membership-only warehouse clubs; ecommerce websites, such as walmart.com.mx, walmart.ca, flipkart.com, PhonePe and other sites; and mobile commerce applications.