Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

Key Points

• Walmart's short interest surged by 971.8% in July, reaching 33,120,000 shares, indicating a significant increase in bearish sentiment against the stock.
• Insider trading activity included the sale of 13,125 shares by EVP John R. Furner and 28,000 shares by EVP Kathryn J. Mclay, reflecting a decrease in their stakes in the company.
• Analysts maintain a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" for Walmart, with an average price target of $106.67, indicating positive sentiment towards the stock despite recent challenges.

Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in the month of July. As of July 15th, there was short interest totaling 33,120,000 shares, anincreaseof971.8% from the June 30th total of 3,090,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 16,420,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.0 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 16,420,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.0 days.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, EVP John R. Furner sold 13,125 shares of Walmart stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $95.85, for a total value of $1,258,031.25. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 945,434 shares in the company, valued at approximately $90,619,848.90. The trade was a 1.37% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Kathryn J. Mclay sold 28,000 shares of Walmart stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $97.00, for a total value of $2,716,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 1,064,455 shares in the company, valued at approximately $103,252,135. This represents a 2.56% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 143,912 shares of company stock worth $13,863,813 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 45.58% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Walmart

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Full Sail Capital LLC lifted its position in Walmart by 6.6% during the fourth quarter. Full Sail Capital LLC now owns 8,702 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $786,000 after purchasing an additional 541 shares in the last quarter. Leslie Global Wealth LLC lifted its position in Walmart by 22.0% during the fourth quarter. Leslie Global Wealth LLC now owns 3,154 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $285,000 after purchasing an additional 568 shares in the last quarter. Monument Capital Management lifted its position in Walmart by 94.2% during the first quarter. Monument Capital Management now owns 55,004 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $4,829,000 after purchasing an additional 26,685 shares in the last quarter. Milestone Asset Management LLC lifted its position in Walmart by 156.7% during the first quarter. Milestone Asset Management LLC now owns 54,659 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $4,799,000 after purchasing an additional 33,370 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rossby Financial LCC purchased a new position in Walmart during the fourth quarter valued at $1,404,000. 26.76% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Walmart Stock Performance

WMT stock opened at $98.40 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $785.27 billion, a P/E ratio of 42.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.72 and a beta of 0.66. Walmart has a 1 year low of $66.67 and a 1 year high of $105.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a current ratio of 0.78 and a quick ratio of 0.22. The stock's fifty day moving average price is $96.86 and its 200-day moving average price is $95.03.

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on WMT shares. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an "outperform" rating and set a $103.00 price target (up previously from $102.00) on shares of Walmart in a report on Monday, June 9th. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their target price on Walmart from $93.00 to $91.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. Truist Financial upped their target price on Walmart from $107.00 to $111.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, May 16th. Raymond James Financial reduced their target price on Walmart from $115.00 to $105.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 11th. Finally, UBS Group reduced their target price on Walmart from $112.00 to $110.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 10th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirty have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $106.67.

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.

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