Walmart (NYSE:WMT) Stock Price Up 1.3% - Here's Why

Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT - Get Free Report)'s stock price was up 1.3% during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $97.67 and last traded at $97.57. Approximately 4,547,972 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 74% from the average daily volume of 17,810,366 shares. The stock had previously closed at $96.34.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Barclays restated an "overweight" rating on shares of Walmart in a research note on Friday, February 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on Walmart from $97.00 to $112.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, February 10th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and set a $102.00 price objective on shares of Walmart in a report on Friday, May 16th. Citigroup restated a "buy" rating on shares of Walmart in a research note on Tuesday, May 6th. Finally, KeyCorp boosted their price target on shares of Walmart from $100.00 to $105.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, February 21st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirty-one have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $104.94.

Walmart Stock Down 0.1%

The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $92.77 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $93.15. 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 stock has a market capitalization of $779.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 40.44, a PEG ratio of 4.42 and a beta of 0.70.

Walmart (NYSE:WMT - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data 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 company had revenue of $165.61 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $164.53 billion. Walmart had a return on equity of 21.87% and a net margin of 2.85%. The firm's revenue was up 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.60 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts expect that Walmart Inc. will post 2.55 earnings per share for the current year.

Walmart Dividend Announcement

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

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP Kathryn J. Mclay sold 4,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated 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 of the company's stock, valued at approximately $76,350,158.55. This trade represents a 0.45% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO C Douglas Mcmillon sold 29,148 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $96.58, for a total value of $2,815,113.84. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 4,451,199 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $429,896,799.42. This trade represents a 0.65% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 177,583 shares of company stock worth $16,701,404. Corporate insiders own 45.58% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Walmart

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Whelan Financial grew its holdings in shares of Walmart by 2.3% in the fourth quarter. Whelan Financial now owns 4,339 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $392,000 after acquiring an additional 97 shares in the last quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Walmart by 1.7% during the 4th quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC now owns 5,937 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $538,000 after purchasing an additional 98 shares during the last quarter. Coyle Financial Counsel LLC raised its stake in shares of Walmart by 3.1% during the 4th quarter. Coyle Financial Counsel LLC now owns 3,431 shares of the retailer's stock worth $310,000 after purchasing an additional 102 shares during the period. Bedel Financial Consulting Inc. grew its position in Walmart by 0.4% during the first quarter. Bedel Financial Consulting Inc. now owns 25,915 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $2,275,000 after buying an additional 102 shares during the period. Finally, SC&H Financial Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in Walmart by 1.0% during the fourth quarter. SC&H Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 10,232 shares of the retailer's stock worth $924,000 after buying an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 26.76% of the company's stock.

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.