Walmart (NYSE:WMT) Stock Rating Upgraded by StockNews.com

Walmart (NYSE:WMT - Get Free Report) was upgraded by equities research analysts at StockNews.com from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report issued on Friday.

Other analysts also recently issued reports about the company. Truist Financial lifted their price target on Walmart from $98.00 to $111.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 11th. Oppenheimer lowered their price target on Walmart from $110.00 to $95.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 7th. Guggenheim reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $100.00 price target on shares of Walmart in a research note on Monday, February 24th. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price objective on shares of Walmart from $107.00 to $102.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 10th. Finally, UBS Group dropped their target price on shares of Walmart from $112.00 to $110.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 10th. 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's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $103.58.

Walmart Stock Up 1.4 %

NYSE WMT traded up $1.32 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $98.73. 16,026,369 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 17,836,495. 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 firm has a market cap of $789.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 40.97, a PEG ratio of 4.42 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a 50 day moving average of $90.52 and a two-hundred day moving average of $91.33. Walmart has a 52-week low of $59.14 and a 52-week high of $105.30.

Walmart (NYSE:WMT - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 20th. The retailer reported $0.66 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.64 by $0.02. Walmart had a net margin of 2.85% and a return on equity of 21.87%. The firm had revenue of $180.55 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $178.83 billion. Equities research analysts anticipate that Walmart will post 2.55 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Kathryn J. Mclay sold 4,000 shares of Walmart stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $85.95, for a total transaction of $343,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 888,309 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $76,350,158.55. The trade was a 0.45 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP John R. Furner sold 13,125 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $96.15, for a total value of $1,261,968.75. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 460,672 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $44,293,612.80. This represents a 2.77 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 169,657 shares of company stock worth $15,984,929. Company insiders own 45.58% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Walmart

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. World Investment Advisors raised its stake in Walmart by 7.6% in the 4th quarter. World Investment Advisors now owns 271,515 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $24,532,000 after purchasing an additional 19,233 shares during the last quarter. Candriam S.C.A. raised its position in shares of Walmart by 209.7% in the fourth quarter. Candriam S.C.A. now owns 885,008 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $79,960,000 after buying an additional 599,257 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New Hampshire lifted its stake in shares of Walmart by 13.7% during the fourth quarter. Bank of New Hampshire now owns 47,949 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $4,332,000 after buying an additional 5,786 shares during the period. Modera Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in Walmart by 4.8% in the 4th quarter. Modera Wealth Management LLC now owns 203,150 shares of the retailer's stock worth $18,355,000 after acquiring an additional 9,292 shares during the period. Finally, Iowa State Bank lifted its stake in shares of Walmart by 213.8% during the 4th quarter. Iowa State Bank now owns 26,807 shares of the retailer's stock worth $2,422,000 after purchasing an additional 18,263 shares during the period. 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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