KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS Purchases 56,900 Shares of Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT)

KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS boosted its position in shares of Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) by 3.5% during the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 1,704,300 shares of the retailer’s stock after buying an additional 56,900 shares during the quarter. Walmart makes up approximately 0.7% of KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 21st biggest holding. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS’s holdings in Walmart were worth $149,958,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in WMT. Alecta Tjanstepension Omsesidigt acquired a new stake in Walmart during the first quarter valued at approximately $39,427,000. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd boosted its holdings in shares of Walmart by 236.3% in the 1st quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd now owns 115,217 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $10,115,000 after acquiring an additional 80,952 shares in the last quarter. Guidance Capital Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Walmart by 11.7% in the 1st quarter. Guidance Capital Inc. now owns 12,865 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $1,129,000 after acquiring an additional 1,344 shares in the last quarter. Oakwell Private Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Walmart by 16.2% in the 1st quarter. Oakwell Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 6,895 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $605,000 after acquiring an additional 960 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Flynn Zito Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Walmart by 12.7% in the 1st quarter. Flynn Zito Capital Management LLC now owns 8,208 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $721,000 after acquiring an additional 927 shares in the last quarter. 26.76% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP John D. Rainey sold 2,200 shares of Walmart stock in a transaction on Monday, June 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $99.00, for a total transaction of $217,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 630,518 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $62,421,282. This trade represents a 0.35% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP John R. Furner sold 13,125 shares of Walmart stock in a transaction on Friday, June 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $95.85, for a total transaction of $1,258,031.25. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 945,434 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $90,619,848.90. This represents a 1.37% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 151,820 shares of company stock valued at $14,584,875. 45.58% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have issued reports on the company. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price objective on Walmart from $93.00 to $91.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. Oppenheimer upped their price objective on Walmart from $100.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 7th. Mizuho upped their price objective on Walmart from $105.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, June 9th. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $103.00 price objective (up previously from $102.00) on shares of Walmart in a report on Monday, June 9th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of Walmart in a research report on Monday, May 5th. Two investment 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. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Walmart currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $106.67.

Walmart Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE WMT traded up $0.42 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $96.09. 3,485,995 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 18,081,424. The company has a quick ratio of 0.22, a current ratio of 0.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. Walmart Inc. has a 12 month low of $66.67 and a 12 month high of $105.30. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $96.81 and its 200 day moving average price is $94.68. The firm has a market capitalization of $766.80 billion, a PE ratio of 41.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.57 and a beta of 0.68.

Walmart (NYSE:WMT) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 15th. The retailer reported $0.61 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.58 by $0.03. The firm 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%. The business’s revenue was up 2.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.60 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that Walmart Inc. will post 2.55 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Walmart Announces Dividend

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

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.