Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA) Stock Holdings Lifted by Franklin Resources Inc.

Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its holdings in Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA - Free Report) by 12.9% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 142,759 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after purchasing an additional 16,340 shares during the quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. owned approximately 0.70% of Murphy USA worth $71,629,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Brown Lisle Cummings Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Murphy USA during the 4th quarter valued at about $50,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC increased its position in Murphy USA by 37.0% during the fourth quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 100 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $50,000 after purchasing an additional 27 shares during the last quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC raised its stake in Murphy USA by 186.1% during the fourth quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 103 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $52,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares during the period. R Squared Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Murphy USA in the 4th quarter valued at $55,000. Finally, SBI Securities Co. Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of Murphy USA during the 4th quarter valued at $67,000. 80.81% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Murphy USA Stock Up 3.9 %

NYSE MUSA traded up $17.69 on Tuesday, reaching $475.91. The company had a trading volume of 50,056 shares, compared to its average volume of 239,068. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.18, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.37. Murphy USA Inc. has a 1 year low of $382.04 and a 1 year high of $561.08. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $470.76 and a 200-day moving average of $493.03. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.42 billion, a PE ratio of 19.70 and a beta of 0.73.

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Murphy USA (NYSE:MUSA - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The specialty retailer reported $6.96 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.46 by $0.50. Murphy USA had a net margin of 2.48% and a return on equity of 61.60%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Murphy USA Inc. will post 26.45 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Murphy USA Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 5th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 24th were given a dividend of $0.49 per share. This represents a $1.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.41%. This is a positive change from Murphy USA's previous quarterly dividend of $0.48. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 24th. Murphy USA's payout ratio is presently 8.10%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MUSA has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on Murphy USA from $550.00 to $554.00 and gave the company a "sector perform" rating in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Melius Research upgraded Murphy USA to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, March 11th. Melius assumed coverage on shares of Murphy USA in a research report on Tuesday, March 11th. They set a "buy" rating and a $600.00 target price for the company. StockNews.com cut shares of Murphy USA from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, March 21st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on shares of Murphy USA from $555.00 to $550.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 7th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $525.67.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Jeanne Linder Phillips sold 797 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $452.31, for a total value of $360,491.07. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 2,349 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,062,476.19. The trade was a 25.33 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CMO Renee M. Bacon sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $469.58, for a total transaction of $939,160.00. Following the transaction, the chief marketing officer now directly owns 5,927 shares in the company, valued at $2,783,200.66. The trade was a 25.23 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 3,594 shares of company stock worth $1,695,043. 9.04% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

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.