Centiva Capital LP Makes New Investment in Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA)

Centiva Capital LP acquired a new stake in Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA - Free Report) during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 4,691 shares of the specialty retailer's stock, valued at approximately $2,312,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of MUSA. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Murphy USA by 777.8% during the 1st quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 79 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 70 shares during the last quarter. Mather Group LLC. grew its holdings in shares of Murphy USA by 141.4% in the 2nd quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 70 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 41 shares during the period. V Square Quantitative Management LLC increased its position in shares of Murphy USA by 40.4% in the 3rd quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 73 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 21 shares in the last quarter. Key Financial Inc raised its stake in Murphy USA by 942.9% during the 3rd quarter. Key Financial Inc now owns 146 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $72,000 after buying an additional 132 shares during the period. Finally, GHP Investment Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in Murphy USA by 82.1% during the second quarter. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 173 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $81,000 after acquiring an additional 78 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.81% of the company's stock.

Murphy USA Stock Up 0.8 %

Shares of NYSE:MUSA traded up $4.07 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $546.56. 60,404 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 194,515. The company has a quick ratio of 0.41, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.19. Murphy USA Inc. has a one year low of $350.55 and a one year high of $561.08. The company has a market cap of $11.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.38 and a beta of 0.78. The stock's 50 day simple moving average is $502.46 and its 200-day simple moving average is $492.29.

Murphy USA (NYSE:MUSA - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 30th. The specialty retailer reported $7.20 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $6.64 by $0.56. Murphy USA had a net margin of 2.48% and a return on equity of 62.73%. The business had revenue of $5.24 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.54 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $7.69 earnings per share. The firm's revenue for the quarter was down 9.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Murphy USA Inc. will post 23.59 EPS for the current year.

Murphy USA Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 2nd. Investors of record on Monday, November 4th were issued a dividend of $0.48 per share. This represents a $1.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.35%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 4th. This is a positive change from Murphy USA's previous quarterly dividend of $0.45. Murphy USA's dividend payout ratio is presently 7.92%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded Murphy USA from a "neutral" rating to an "underweight" rating and increased their price target for the stock from $415.00 to $435.00 in a report on Thursday, September 19th. StockNews.com cut Murphy USA from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Saturday, October 26th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $495.33.

Murphy USA Company Profile

Murphy USA Inc engages in marketing of retail motor fuel products and convenience merchandise. The company operates retail stores under the Murphy USA, Murphy Express, and QuickChek brands, as well as operates non-fuel convenience stores. It operates retail gasoline stores principally in the Southeast, Southwest, and Midwest United States.