Walmart (NYSE:WMT) Stock Price Up 1.2% - Here's Why

Key Points

• Walmart's stock increased by 1.2% to a price of $101.92, with trading volume significantly lower than average, at 4.94 million shares.
• Analysts are generally optimistic, with a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $109.89 for Walmart shares.
• The company announced a dividend of $0.235 per share, with the payment set for September 2nd, marking a 90% dividend yield.

Shares of Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT - Get Free Report) traded up 1.2% on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $102.43 and last traded at $101.92. 4,940,960 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 74% from the average session volume of 18,816,141 shares. The stock had previously closed at $100.70.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on WMT shares. Citigroup restated a "buy" rating on shares of Walmart in a research note on Tuesday, May 6th. Tigress Financial upped their price target on Walmart from $115.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 2nd. Sanford C. Bernstein reiterated an "outperform" rating on shares of Walmart in a research note on Monday, May 5th. Mizuho restated an "outperform" rating and set a $115.00 target price on shares of Walmart in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. Finally, DA Davidson reiterated a "buy" rating and set a $117.00 price objective on shares of Walmart in a report on Friday, May 16th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-nine have issued a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $109.89.

Walmart Stock Up 0.8%

The stock has a fifty day moving average of $97.67 and a 200 day moving average of $95.58. The firm has a market capitalization of $809.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 43.38, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.80 and a beta of 0.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a current ratio of 0.78 and a quick ratio of 0.22.

Walmart Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 2nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 18th will be issued a dividend of $0.235 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 15th. This represents a dividend yield of 90.0%. Walmart's dividend payout ratio is 40.17%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Walmart news, CEO C Douglas Mcmillon sold 19,416 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $95.58, for a total transaction of $1,855,781.28. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 4,412,398 shares in the company, valued at approximately $421,737,000.84. This trade represents a 0.44% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP John R. Furner sold 13,125 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $95.14, for a total value of $1,248,712.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 932,313 shares in the company, valued at approximately $88,700,258.82. This represents a 1.39% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 140,334 shares of company stock worth $13,526,350 over the last three months. Corporate insiders own 0.10% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of Walmart

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Whelan Financial raised its holdings in shares of Walmart by 2.3% in the 4th quarter. Whelan Financial now owns 4,339 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $392,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares in the last quarter. Atlas Legacy Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Walmart by 1.1% in the second quarter. Atlas Legacy Advisors LLC now owns 8,707 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $851,000 after buying an additional 98 shares during the last quarter. Meridian Wealth Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Walmart by 2.1% during the 2nd quarter. Meridian Wealth Partners LLC now owns 4,804 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $470,000 after buying an additional 99 shares during the period. Bedel Financial Consulting Inc. boosted its position in Walmart by 0.4% during the 1st quarter. Bedel Financial Consulting Inc. now owns 25,915 shares of the retailer's stock worth $2,275,000 after purchasing an additional 102 shares during the period. Finally, Revolve Wealth Partners LLC lifted its holdings in Walmart by 1.1% in the 2nd quarter. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC now owns 9,830 shares of the retailer's stock worth $961,000 after buying an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. 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.

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