Walmart (NYSE:WMT) Trading Down 2.3% - What's Next?

Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT - Get Free Report)'s share price fell 2.3% during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $96.61 and last traded at $97.04. 3,328,199 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 82% from the average session volume of 17,994,238 shares. The stock had previously closed at $99.35.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms recently commented on WMT. Wall Street Zen upgraded Walmart from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, May 12th. Tigress Financial boosted their target price on shares of Walmart from $115.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 2nd. Citigroup reissued a "buy" rating on shares of Walmart in a report on Tuesday, May 6th. Telsey Advisory Group reissued an "outperform" rating and set a $115.00 target price on shares of Walmart in a report on Monday, June 9th. Finally, Robert W. Baird boosted their target price on shares of Walmart from $100.00 to $110.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, May 16th. 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 company's stock. According to MarketBeat, Walmart has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $106.67.

Walmart Trading Down 2.3%

The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $97.24 and its 200-day simple moving average is $94.43. The company has a quick ratio of 0.22, a current ratio of 0.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. The firm has a market capitalization of $774.98 billion, a PE ratio of 41.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.78 and a beta of 0.68.

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

Walmart Announces Dividend

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

Insider Activity at Walmart

In related news, EVP John D. Rainey sold 2,200 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $99.00, for a total value of $217,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 630,518 shares of the company's stock, valued at $62,421,282. This represents a 0.35% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, CEO C Douglas Mcmillon sold 29,148 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $96.58, for a total transaction of $2,815,113.84. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 4,451,199 shares of the company's stock, valued at $429,896,799.42. This represents a 0.65% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 142,711 shares of company stock valued at $13,710,319 in the last three months. Corporate insiders own 45.58% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Walmart

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. World Investment Advisors boosted its stake in shares of Walmart by 7.6% during the 4th quarter. World Investment Advisors now owns 271,515 shares of the retailer's stock worth $24,532,000 after acquiring an additional 19,233 shares during the last quarter. Cushing Capital Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Walmart during the 4th quarter worth $1,124,000. GWN Securities Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Walmart during the 4th quarter worth $4,658,000. Full Sail Capital LLC boosted its stake in shares of Walmart by 6.6% during the 4th quarter. Full Sail Capital LLC now owns 8,702 shares of the retailer's stock worth $786,000 after acquiring an additional 541 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Leslie Global Wealth LLC boosted its stake in shares of Walmart by 22.0% during the 4th quarter. Leslie Global Wealth LLC now owns 3,154 shares of the retailer's stock worth $285,000 after acquiring an additional 568 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 26.76% of the company's stock.

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.