Graham Capital Wealth Management LLC Makes New $243,000 Investment in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT)

Graham Capital Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 2,772 shares of the retailer’s stock, valued at approximately $243,000.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Maridea Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Walmart during the first quarter worth approximately $740,000. Schubert & Co raised its stake in shares of Walmart by 5.6% during the first quarter. Schubert & Co now owns 3,039 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $267,000 after acquiring an additional 162 shares in the last quarter. AGP Franklin LLC raised its stake in shares of Walmart by 12.8% during the first quarter. AGP Franklin LLC now owns 23,373 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $2,196,000 after acquiring an additional 2,652 shares in the last quarter. Solidarity Wealth LLC raised its stake in shares of Walmart by 412.0% during the first quarter. Solidarity Wealth LLC now owns 34,932 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $3,075,000 after acquiring an additional 28,109 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Lazard Freres Gestion S.A.S. purchased a new position in shares of Walmart during the first quarter worth approximately $217,000. 26.76% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Walmart Stock Performance

Shares of Walmart stock opened at $97.45 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $777.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 41.65, a PEG ratio of 4.69 and a beta of 0.68. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $96.76 and its 200 day moving average is $94.86. Walmart Inc. has a 1 year low of $66.67 and a 1 year high of $105.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a current ratio of 0.78 and a quick ratio of 0.22.

Walmart (NYSE:WMT) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 15th. The retailer reported $0.61 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.58 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $165.61 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $164.53 billion. Walmart had a net margin of 2.75% and a return on equity of 21.76%. Walmart’s revenue was up 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.60 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Walmart Inc. will post 2.55 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Walmart Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, May 27th. Investors of record on Monday, May 12th were paid a $0.235 dividend. This represents a yield of 0.95%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 9th. Walmart’s payout ratio is 40.17%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have commented on WMT shares. Telsey Advisory Group reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $115.00 price target on shares of Walmart in a research note on Monday, June 9th. Citigroup reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Walmart in a research note on Tuesday, May 6th. Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on shares of Walmart from $100.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, May 16th. Mizuho lifted their target price on shares of Walmart from $105.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, June 9th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus decreased their target price on shares of Walmart from $93.00 to $91.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirty have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $106.67.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP John D. Rainey sold 2,200 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $98.44, for a total transaction of $216,568.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 628,318 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $61,851,623.92. This trade represents a 0.35% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, EVP John R. Furner sold 13,125 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $95.85, for a total transaction of $1,258,031.25. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 945,434 shares in the company, valued at approximately $90,619,848.90. The trade was a 1.37% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 126,696 shares of company stock worth $12,222,245. 45.58% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

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.