Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) Given Consensus Recommendation of "Moderate Buy" by Brokerages

Shares of Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT - Get Free Report) have been given an average recommendation of "Moderate Buy" by the thirty-two brokerages that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, twenty-nine have issued a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month price target among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $106.50.

Several equities analysts have recently commented on WMT shares. Barclays reaffirmed an "overweight" rating on shares of Walmart in a research note on Friday, February 28th. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price target on Walmart from $93.00 to $91.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. DA Davidson reaffirmed a "buy" rating and issued a $117.00 price target on shares of Walmart in a research note on Friday, May 16th. Truist Financial upped their price target on Walmart from $107.00 to $111.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, May 16th. Finally, Evercore ISI boosted their price objective on Walmart from $105.00 to $107.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, June 4th.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Daniel J. Bartlett sold 1,760 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $94.77, for a total transaction of $166,795.20. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 650,977 shares in the company, valued at $61,693,090.29. This trade represents a 0.27% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP John D. Rainey sold 2,200 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $99.00, for a total value of $217,800.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 630,518 shares in the company, valued at $62,421,282. This represents a 0.35% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 135,294 shares of company stock worth $12,656,659 in the last quarter. 45.58% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in WMT. FPC Investment Advisory Inc. acquired a new stake in Walmart during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Horizon Financial Services LLC lifted its position in Walmart by 1,007.7% during the 4th quarter. Horizon Financial Services LLC now owns 288 shares of the retailer's stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 262 shares during the period. Operose Advisors LLC lifted its position in Walmart by 319.7% during the 1st quarter. Operose Advisors LLC now owns 319 shares of the retailer's stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 243 shares during the period. Bear Mountain Capital Inc. lifted its position in Walmart by 98.2% during the 1st quarter. Bear Mountain Capital Inc. now owns 337 shares of the retailer's stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 167 shares during the period. Finally, Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd lifted its position in Walmart by 432.4% during the 1st quarter. Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd now owns 362 shares of the retailer's stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 294 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 26.76% of the company's stock.

Walmart Stock Performance

NYSE WMT opened at $96.16 on Friday. The stock's fifty day moving average is $96.39 and its two-hundred day moving average is $94.15. The firm has a market capitalization of $767.41 billion, a P/E ratio of 41.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.69 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 0.22 and a current ratio of 0.78. Walmart has a fifty-two week low of $66.55 and a fifty-two week high of $105.30.

Walmart (NYSE:WMT - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 15th. The retailer reported $0.61 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.58 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $165.61 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $164.53 billion. Walmart had a return on equity of 21.76% and a net margin of 2.75%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.60 earnings per share. On average, research analysts anticipate that Walmart will post 2.55 earnings per share for the current year.

Walmart Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, May 27th. Investors of record on Monday, May 12th were paid a dividend of $0.235 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 9th. This represents a yield of 0.95%. Walmart's dividend payout ratio is presently 40.17%.

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.

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