Verity Asset Management Inc. Has $3.24 Million Stake in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT)

Verity Asset Management Inc. lessened its stake in shares of Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) by 53.3% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 36,494 shares of the retailer’s stock after selling 41,720 shares during the period. Walmart comprises approximately 1.7% of Verity Asset Management Inc.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 10th biggest holding. Verity Asset Management Inc.’s holdings in Walmart were worth $3,243,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of WMT. Peterson Financial Group Inc. purchased a new position in Walmart in the third quarter worth $26,000. Fiduciary Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in Walmart in the fourth quarter worth $27,000. Voisard Asset Management Group Inc. grew its holdings in Walmart by 77.3% in the third quarter. Voisard Asset Management Group Inc. now owns 399 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 174 shares during the last quarter. Decker Retirement Planning Inc. purchased a new position in Walmart in the fourth quarter worth $32,000. Finally, Hoese & Co LLP purchased a new position in Walmart in the third quarter worth $33,000. 26.76% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Daniel J. Bartlett sold 1,830 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $91.07, for a total transaction of $166,658.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 460,705 shares in the company, valued at $41,956,404.35. This represents a 0.40 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP John D. Rainey sold 38,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $98.80, for a total transaction of $3,754,400.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 257,281 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $25,419,362.80. This trade represents a 12.87 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 175,177 shares of company stock worth $16,403,728 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 45.58% of the company’s stock.

Walmart Trading Up 1.7 %

Shares of Walmart stock opened at $102.47 on Thursday. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $93.46 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $83.69. The company has a market cap of $823.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 42.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.49 and a beta of 0.55. Walmart Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $55.85 and a fifty-two week high of $102.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a current ratio of 0.85.

Walmart (NYSE:WMT) last issued its quarterly earnings data 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 business had revenue of $169.59 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $167.69 billion. Walmart had a net margin of 2.92% and a return on equity of 21.78%. The company’s revenue was up 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.51 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts predict that Walmart Inc. will post 2.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have issued reports on WMT shares. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price target on shares of Walmart from $89.00 to $94.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 10th. Robert W. Baird lifted their price target on shares of Walmart from $90.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 20th. Evercore ISI boosted their price objective on shares of Walmart from $94.00 to $96.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 3rd. Bank of America boosted their price objective on shares of Walmart from $95.00 to $105.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 20th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their price objective on shares of Walmart from $98.00 to $102.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 20th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-nine have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Walmart currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $96.01.

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.