Bancreek Capital Management LP Lowers Holdings in Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA)

Bancreek Capital Management LP reduced its position in Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA - Free Report) by 30.4% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 11,560 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after selling 5,057 shares during the period. Murphy USA comprises 5.7% of Bancreek Capital Management LP's holdings, making the stock its 8th largest position. Bancreek Capital Management LP owned about 0.06% of Murphy USA worth $5,800,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Brown Lisle Cummings Inc. bought a new position in Murphy USA during the fourth quarter worth $50,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Murphy USA by 37.0% in the 4th quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 100 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $50,000 after acquiring an additional 27 shares during the last quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC boosted its stake in shares of Murphy USA by 186.1% during the fourth quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 103 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $52,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. R Squared Ltd bought a new stake in Murphy USA during the 4th quarter worth approximately $55,000. Finally, SBI Securities Co. Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of Murphy USA in the fourth quarter worth $67,000. 80.81% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity at Murphy USA

In related news, CMO Renee M. Bacon sold 2,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $469.58, for a total value of $939,160.00. Following the transaction, the chief marketing officer now owns 5,927 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,783,200.66. This represents a 25.23 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Jeanne Linder Phillips sold 797 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $452.31, for a total value of $360,491.07. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 2,349 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,062,476.19. This trade represents a 25.33 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 3,594 shares of company stock valued at $1,695,043. 9.04% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

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

Murphy USA Stock Up 0.7 %

Murphy USA stock traded up $3.33 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $457.89. 183,310 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 194,576. The company has a current ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.18. The company has a market capitalization of $9.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.92 and a beta of 0.80. The business's 50 day moving average is $473.01 and its 200 day moving average is $496.37. Murphy USA Inc. has a 52 week low of $382.04 and a 52 week high of $561.08.

Murphy USA (NYSE:MUSA - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The specialty retailer reported $6.96 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $6.46 by $0.50. Murphy USA had a net margin of 2.48% and a return on equity of 61.60%. Analysts predict that Murphy USA Inc. will post 26.45 earnings per share for the current 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 issued a $0.49 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 24th. This is a positive change from Murphy USA's previous quarterly dividend of $0.48. This represents a $1.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.43%. Murphy USA's dividend payout ratio is currently 8.10%.

Murphy USA 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.