Walmart (NYSE:WMT) Shares Down 0.3% - Here's Why

Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT - Get Free Report) shares fell 0.3% on Friday . The company traded as low as $97.85 and last traded at $98.37. 2,857,313 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 80% from the average session volume of 14,385,902 shares. The stock had previously closed at $98.65.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

WMT has been the topic of several research analyst reports. TD Cowen lifted their price target on Walmart from $90.00 to $100.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 20th. Bank of America lifted their target price on Walmart from $95.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, November 20th. Oppenheimer upped their price target on shares of Walmart from $81.00 to $90.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, October 14th. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price objective on shares of Walmart from $89.00 to $94.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 10th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets increased their target price on shares of Walmart from $80.00 to $100.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Monday, November 18th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-nine have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $95.11.

Walmart Trading Down 0.7 %

The firm has a market capitalization of $787.00 billion, a PE ratio of 40.20, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.46 and a beta of 0.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 0.85 and a quick ratio of 0.23. The company has a fifty day moving average of $92.91 and a 200-day moving average of $82.90.

Walmart (NYSE:WMT - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 19th. The retailer reported $0.58 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.53 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $169.59 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $167.69 billion. Walmart had a return on equity of 21.78% and a net margin of 2.92%. The business's quarterly revenue was up 5.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.51 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Walmart Inc. will post 2.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Walmart news, EVP Daniel J. Bartlett sold 1,830 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $91.07, for a total transaction of $166,658.10. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 460,705 shares in the company, valued at $41,956,404.35. This trade represents a 0.40 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO C Douglas Mcmillon sold 29,124 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, January 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $92.62, for a total value of $2,697,464.88. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 3,766,491 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $348,852,396.42. This trade represents a 0.77 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 137,177 shares of company stock valued at $12,649,328 over the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 45.58% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Walmart

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in WMT. SC&H Financial Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Walmart by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. SC&H Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 10,232 shares of the retailer's stock worth $924,000 after buying an additional 103 shares during the period. Scarborough Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Walmart by 2.0% during the fourth quarter. Scarborough Advisors LLC now owns 5,584 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $505,000 after acquiring an additional 109 shares during the period. Dakota Community Bank & Trust NA grew its position in shares of Walmart by 4.0% in the fourth quarter. Dakota Community Bank & Trust NA now owns 2,879 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $260,000 after purchasing an additional 110 shares during the last quarter. Rooted Wealth Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of Walmart by 2.6% in the fourth quarter. Rooted Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 4,344 shares of the retailer's stock worth $394,000 after purchasing an additional 110 shares during the period. Finally, Hobart Private Capital LLC boosted its stake in Walmart by 1.6% during the 4th quarter. Hobart Private Capital LLC now owns 6,926 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $626,000 after purchasing an additional 111 shares during the period. 26.76% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Walmart Company 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.