Walmart (NYSE:WMT – Get Rating) has received a “moderate buy” consensus recommendation from the 35 rating agencies that currently cover the company, Marketbeat.com reports. One research analyst recommended a sell, seven recommended a hold, 11 recommended a buy, and one recommended a strong buy. Brokers that covered the stock last year have an average one-year price target of $160.42.
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Some equity analysts have recently put a lot of weight on equities. UBS Group lowered its price target for Walmart shares to $168.00 from $170.00 and gave the stock a ‘buy’ rating in a report on Friday, January 6. Sanford C. Bernstein took on his coverage of Walmart in an investigative report on Tuesday, Dec. 6. They issued a “Market Performing” rating and a price target of $159.00. Cowen raised his price target at Walmart from his $165.00 to his $175.00, giving the company an “excellent” rating in a research note on Wednesday, Nov. 16. Morgan Stanley lowered its price target for Walmart from her $164.00 to her $161.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in her Tuesday, Jan. 17 report. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered its price target on Walmart stock to $161.00 from his $162.00 in a research report on Friday, Nov. 11.
Walmart rose 1.2%
Walmart shares opened at $140.54 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $379.01 billion, a PER of 43.38, a price/earnings ratio of 4.35, and a beta of 0.54. Walmart has a 12-month low of $117.27 and a 12-month high of $160.77. The company has a quick ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 0.86 and a debt to equity ratio of 0.48. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $146.42 and a 200-day simple moving average of $137.93.
Walmart (NYSE:WMT – Get Rating) last reported earnings on Tuesday, Nov. 15. The retailer posted his earnings per share (EPS) of $1.50 for the quarter, beating analyst consensus forecasts of $1.32 for him by $0.18. The company’s revenue for the quarter he had $152.8 billion, while analyst estimates put him at $146.8 billion. Walmart’s net profit margin was 1.49% and return on equity was 19.54%. Walmart’s quarterly revenue increased 8.8% year-over-year. In the year-ago quarter, the company earned $1.45 per share. A research analyst expects Walmart to bring his earnings per share to 6.08 this year.
Walmart said on Tuesday, November 15, that its board of directors had approved a stock buyback plan that would allow the company to buy back $20 billion of stock. This repurchase authorization allows retailers to purchase up to 5% of the shares through open market purchases. A stock buyback plan generally indicates that the company’s board believes its stock is undervalued.
insider trading at walmart
In related news, SVP David Chojnowski sold 7,000 shares of the company in a transaction that took place on Wednesday, November 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $149.89 and the total transaction value he was $1,049,230.00. Following the transaction, the Senior Vice President now directly owns 37,921 shares of the Company’s stock valued at approximately $5,683,978.69. The transaction was disclosed in legal filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission which can be accessed via this hyperlink. In related news, SVP David Chojnowski sold 7,000 shares of the company’s stock in a trade on Wednesday, November 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $149.89 for a total of $1,049,230.00. After the transaction, the Senior Vice President now owns 37,921 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,683,978.69. The sale was disclosed in documents filed with the SEC, which can be accessed at this link. EVP John R. Farner also sold 4,375 shares of the company in a transaction that took place on Thursday, October 27. Shares sold for an average of $140.94, with a total transaction value of $616,612.50 for him. After the sale, the Executive Vice President now owns 263,809 shares of the Company stock valued at $37,181,240.46. Please see here for the disclosure of this sale. Insiders have sold 8,831,902 shares of company stock valued at $1,312,822,421 in the past 90 days. The insider owns his 47.06% of the company’s shares.
Institutional investors focus on Walmart
Recently, many large investors have increased or decreased their equity stakes. My Personal CFO LLC acquired a new stake in his Walmart worth $25,000 in the fourth quarter. Bellwether Advisors LLC increased his holding of Walmart shares by 112.0% in the third quarter. Bellwether Advisors LLC now owns 212 shares of the retailer worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 112 shares last quarter. JDM Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in his Walmart worth $28,000 in the fourth quarter. WD Rutherford LLC acquired a new stake in his Walmart worth $29,000 in the second quarter. Finally, Lipe & Dalton acquired a new stake in his Walmart worth $29,000 in the third quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 31.27% of the company’s shares.
Walmart company profile
(get rating)
Walmart, Inc is a retail and wholesale business. The company offers a variety of goods and services at everyday low prices. It operates through its Walmart US, Walmart International and Sam’s Club business segments. The Walmart US segment operates as a consumer products merchandiser and operates under the Walmart, Walmart and Walmart Neighborhood Market brands, as well as his walmart.com and other e-commerce brands.
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