Walmart (NYSE:WMT) Trading Down 0.7% - Here's What Happened

Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT - Get Free Report)'s stock price dropped 0.7% on Monday . The company traded as low as $95.62 and last traded at $96.06. Approximately 11,882,275 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 33% from the average daily volume of 17,825,346 shares. The stock had previously closed at $96.72.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

WMT has been the topic of a number of research reports. DZ Bank raised shares of Walmart from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $110.00 target price on the stock in a report on Tuesday, February 25th. Telsey Advisory Group reissued an "outperform" rating and set a $115.00 target price on shares of Walmart in a report on Monday. Robert W. Baird increased their target price on shares of Walmart from $100.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price target on shares of Walmart from $93.00 to $91.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group restated a "buy" rating on shares of Walmart in a research report on Wednesday, March 26th. Two 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. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $104.94.

Walmart Stock Up 2.0%

The company has a quick ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40. The company has a market capitalization of $786.18 billion, a PE ratio of 40.77, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.42 and a beta of 0.70. The business's 50 day simple moving average is $91.19 and its 200 day simple moving average is $92.40.

Walmart (NYSE:WMT - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 15th. The retailer reported $0.61 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.58 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $165.61 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates 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 prior year, the firm earned $0.60 earnings per share. As a group, analysts forecast that Walmart Inc. will post 2.55 EPS for the current year.

Walmart Dividend Announcement

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

Insider Transactions at Walmart

In related news, EVP John R. Furner sold 13,125 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $96.15, for a total transaction of $1,261,968.75. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 460,672 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $44,293,612.80. This trade represents a 2.77% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Kathryn J. Mclay sold 4,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $85.95, for a total value of $343,800.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 888,309 shares in the company, valued at approximately $76,350,158.55. This trade represents a 0.45% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 133,857 shares of company stock valued at $12,444,743 over the last three months. 45.58% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Walmart

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. FPC Investment Advisory Inc. bought a new position in Walmart in the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Horizon Financial Services LLC lifted its position in Walmart by 1,007.7% in the fourth quarter. Horizon Financial Services LLC now owns 288 shares of the retailer's stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 262 shares during the period. Fiduciary Advisors Inc. bought a new position in Walmart in the fourth quarter worth $27,000. Operose Advisors LLC lifted its position in Walmart by 319.7% in the first quarter. Operose Advisors LLC now owns 319 shares of the retailer's stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 243 shares during the period. Finally, Decker Retirement Planning Inc. bought a new position in Walmart in the fourth quarter worth $32,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds 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.