Walmart (NYSE:WMT) Stock Price Up 0.8% - Still a Buy?

Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT - Get Free Report) shares rose 0.8% during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $96.60 and last traded at $95.57. Approximately 5,484,166 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 69% from the average daily volume of 17,791,516 shares. The stock had previously closed at $94.85.

Analyst Ratings Changes

WMT has been the subject of a number of research reports. Roth Mkm reiterated a "buy" rating and set a $108.00 target price (up previously from $97.00) on shares of Walmart in a report on Friday, February 21st. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a "buy" rating on shares of Walmart in a research report on Wednesday, March 26th. KeyCorp upped their price target on Walmart from $100.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, February 21st. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price objective on shares of Walmart from $107.00 to $102.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 10th. Finally, Morgan Stanley restated an "overweight" rating and set a $115.00 target price (up previously from $106.00) on shares of Walmart in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirty have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $103.58.

Walmart Trading Down 0.6 %

The business's 50 day simple moving average is $90.75 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $90.66. The stock has a market cap of $764.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 39.57, a PEG ratio of 4.42 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a quick ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40.

Walmart (NYSE:WMT - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 20th. The retailer reported $0.66 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.64 by $0.02. Walmart had a return on equity of 21.87% and a net margin of 2.85%. The company had revenue of $180.55 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $178.83 billion. As a group, analysts expect that Walmart Inc. will post 2.55 EPS for the current year.

Walmart Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 5th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 12th will be paid a $0.235 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 12th. This represents a $0.94 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.99%. Walmart's payout ratio is 39.00%.

Insider Transactions at Walmart

In other news, CEO C Douglas Mcmillon sold 29,124 shares of Walmart stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $96.95, for a total value of $2,823,571.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 3,558,247 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $344,972,046.65. This trade represents a 0.81 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Kathryn J. Mclay sold 4,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $85.95, for a total value of $343,800.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 888,309 shares in the company, valued at $76,350,158.55. The trade was a 0.45 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 140,533 shares of company stock worth $13,241,740 over the last ninety days. 45.58% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Walmart

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Crown Wealth Group LLC raised its holdings in Walmart by 6.8% during the first quarter. Crown Wealth Group LLC now owns 5,776 shares of the retailer's stock worth $507,000 after buying an additional 368 shares during the last quarter. Augustine Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in Walmart by 1.3% in the 1st quarter. Augustine Asset Management Inc. now owns 14,411 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $1,265,000 after acquiring an additional 180 shares in the last quarter. Guerra Advisors Inc boosted its stake in Walmart by 108.5% during the 1st quarter. Guerra Advisors Inc now owns 24,221 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $2,126,000 after purchasing an additional 12,604 shares during the last quarter. Avidian Wealth Enterprises LLC increased its holdings in Walmart by 0.6% during the 1st quarter. Avidian Wealth Enterprises LLC now owns 40,802 shares of the retailer's stock worth $3,582,000 after purchasing an additional 243 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Naviter Wealth LLC raised its stake in shares of Walmart by 25.2% in the first quarter. Naviter Wealth LLC now owns 92,073 shares of the retailer's stock worth $7,862,000 after purchasing an additional 18,560 shares during the last quarter. 26.76% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Walmart

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.