Retirement Systems of Alabama Has $22.25 Million Position in Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA)

Retirement Systems of Alabama lessened its holdings in Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA - Free Report) by 20.9% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 45,139 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after selling 11,930 shares during the quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama owned approximately 0.22% of Murphy USA worth $22,248,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in MUSA. Assetmark Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Murphy USA by 6.1% during the third quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 35,240 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $17,369,000 after purchasing an additional 2,028 shares during the period. CWA Asset Management Group LLC purchased a new position in Murphy USA during the third quarter worth about $1,573,000. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. acquired a new stake in Murphy USA in the second quarter valued at about $4,566,000. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Murphy USA by 14.6% in the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 97,011 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $45,543,000 after purchasing an additional 12,336 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC increased its position in Murphy USA by 622.9% during the 3rd quarter. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC now owns 4,048 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $1,995,000 after purchasing an additional 3,488 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.81% of the company's stock.

Murphy USA Price Performance

Shares of NYSE MUSA traded up $2.97 during trading on Friday, hitting $550.90. The company had a trading volume of 175,889 shares, compared to its average volume of 192,848. The company has a market cap of $11.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.73 and a beta of 0.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.19, a quick ratio of 0.41 and a current ratio of 0.80. The business's 50-day moving average is $511.90 and its 200 day moving average is $498.60. Murphy USA Inc. has a 52 week low of $350.55 and a 52 week high of $561.08.

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

Murphy USA Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 2nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 4th were paid a dividend of $0.48 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 4th. This represents a $1.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.35%. This is an increase from Murphy USA's previous quarterly dividend of $0.45. Murphy USA's payout ratio is currently 7.92%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have commented on MUSA shares. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Murphy USA from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut shares of Murphy USA from a "neutral" rating to an "underweight" rating and increased their target price for the company from $415.00 to $435.00 in a report on Thursday, September 19th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $495.33.

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.