Walmart (NYSE:WMT) Upgraded to "Buy" at StockNews.com

Walmart (NYSE:WMT - Get Free Report) was upgraded by stock analysts at StockNews.com from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a note issued to investors on Monday.

A number of other brokerages also recently issued reports on WMT. Evercore ISI reduced their price objective on shares of Walmart from $107.00 to $100.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, March 11th. Raymond James dropped their target price on shares of Walmart from $115.00 to $105.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 11th. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their target price on shares of Walmart from $93.00 to $91.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. Barclays restated an "overweight" rating on shares of Walmart in a report on Friday, February 28th. Finally, Mizuho assumed coverage on shares of Walmart in a report on Friday, April 11th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $105.00 target price on the stock. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirty-one have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $104.81.

Walmart Trading Up 1.9%

Shares of NYSE WMT traded up $1.85 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $98.20. The stock had a trading volume of 19,878,636 shares, compared to its average volume of 18,008,670. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a current ratio of 0.82. Walmart has a 1 year low of $62.94 and a 1 year high of $105.30. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $90.98 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $92.29. The firm has a market cap of $785.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 40.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.42 and a beta of 0.70.

Walmart (NYSE:WMT - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 15th. The retailer reported $0.61 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.58 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $165.61 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $164.53 billion. Walmart had a net margin of 2.85% and a return on equity of 21.87%. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.60 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Walmart will post 2.55 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Walmart

In other Walmart news, EVP Daniel J. Bartlett sold 1,600 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $103.99, for a total transaction of $166,384.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 423,597 shares in the company, valued at approximately $44,049,852.03. This represents a 0.38% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Christopher James Nicholas sold 17,600 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $94.42, for a total transaction of $1,661,792.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 348,357 shares in the company, valued at $32,891,867.94. This represents a 4.81% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 133,857 shares of company stock worth $12,444,743. Company insiders own 45.58% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of Walmart

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. FPC Investment Advisory Inc. bought a new stake in Walmart during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Horizon Financial Services LLC grew its position in Walmart by 1,007.7% during the fourth quarter. Horizon Financial Services LLC now owns 288 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 262 shares during the period. Fiduciary Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in Walmart during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Operose Advisors LLC grew its position in Walmart by 319.7% during the first quarter. Operose Advisors LLC now owns 319 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 243 shares during the period. Finally, Decker Retirement Planning Inc. bought a new stake in Walmart during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $32,000. 26.76% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Walmart Company Profile

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.