Scalar Gauge Management LLC Grows Stock Holdings in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT)

Scalar Gauge Management LLC boosted its stake in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT - Free Report) by 76.9% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 69,000 shares of the retailer's stock after buying an additional 30,000 shares during the quarter. Walmart makes up approximately 2.9% of Scalar Gauge Management LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 14th largest holding. Scalar Gauge Management LLC's holdings in Walmart were worth $6,234,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. FPC Investment Advisory Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Walmart in the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. Horizon Financial Services LLC grew its holdings in shares of Walmart by 1,007.7% during the fourth quarter. Horizon Financial Services LLC now owns 288 shares of the retailer's stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 262 shares in the last quarter. Fiduciary Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Walmart in the fourth quarter valued at about $27,000. Decker Retirement Planning Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Walmart in the fourth quarter worth about $32,000. Finally, Noble Wealth Management PBC acquired a new position in Walmart during the fourth quarter worth about $37,000. 26.76% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity at Walmart

In related news, CEO C Douglas Mcmillon sold 29,124 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $85.63, for a total value of $2,493,888.12. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 3,972,517 shares of the company's stock, valued at $340,166,630.71. This represents a 0.73 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Daniel J. Bartlett sold 1,830 shares of Walmart stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $91.07, for a total value of $166,658.10. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 460,705 shares in the company, valued at approximately $41,956,404.35. This trade represents a 0.40 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 176,652 shares of company stock valued at $16,590,028 over the last three months. 45.58% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have weighed in on WMT shares. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on shares of Walmart from $100.00 to $108.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Truist Financial lifted their price objective on Walmart from $98.00 to $111.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 11th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price objective on Walmart from $109.00 to $107.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 21st. Evercore ISI cut their target price on Walmart from $107.00 to $100.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, March 11th. Finally, Roth Mkm restated a "buy" rating and set a $108.00 price objective (up from $97.00) on shares of Walmart in a research report on Friday, February 21st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirty have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $103.17.

Walmart Stock Up 1.0 %

Shares of Walmart stock traded up $0.91 on Tuesday, reaching $88.70. 22,070,021 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 16,996,645. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $94.54 and its 200-day moving average price is $89.46. The company has a market cap of $711.10 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.42 and a beta of 0.53. Walmart Inc. has a 1-year low of $58.56 and a 1-year high of $105.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40, a current ratio of 0.82 and a quick ratio of 0.23.

Walmart (NYSE:WMT - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 20th. The retailer reported $0.66 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.64 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $180.55 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $178.83 billion. Walmart had a return on equity of 21.87% and a net margin of 2.85%. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Walmart Inc. will post 2.55 EPS for the current year.

Walmart Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 5th. Investors of record on Friday, December 12th will be paid a dividend of $0.235 per share. This represents a $0.94 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.06%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 12th. Walmart's payout ratio is 39.00%.

Walmart 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.