First Hawaiian Bank lessened its holdings in shares of Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA – Free Report) by 26.0% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,372 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock after selling 481 shares during the quarter. First Hawaiian Bank’s holdings in Murphy USA were worth $489,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.
A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. First Affirmative Financial Network bought a new position in Murphy USA during the fourth quarter worth about $232,000. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC boosted its position in Murphy USA by 7.6% during the fourth quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 2,457 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $876,000 after purchasing an additional 173 shares during the period. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky lifted its holdings in shares of Murphy USA by 88.1% in the third quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 7,066 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $2,415,000 after buying an additional 3,309 shares in the last quarter. Headinvest LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Murphy USA in the third quarter worth about $138,000. Finally, B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Murphy USA by 29.3% in the third quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 1,617 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $553,000 after buying an additional 366 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 83.95% of the company’s stock.
Murphy USA Stock Down 0.3 %
Shares of Murphy USA stock opened at $411.92 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.15, a quick ratio of 0.56 and a current ratio of 0.95. Murphy USA Inc. has a 52-week low of $243.01 and a 52-week high of $426.01. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.15 and a beta of 0.77. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $389.88 and its 200-day moving average price is $368.07.
Murphy USA (NYSE:MUSA – Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 7th. The specialty retailer reported $7.00 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.79 by $1.21. The firm had revenue of $5.07 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $5.32 billion. Murphy USA had a net margin of 2.59% and a return on equity of 70.92%. The business’s revenue was down 5.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $5.21 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that Murphy USA Inc. will post 25.58 EPS for the current year.
Murphy USA Increases Dividend
The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 7th. Investors of record on Monday, February 26th were issued a $0.42 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 23rd. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.41%. This is a boost from Murphy USA’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.41. Murphy USA’s payout ratio is 6.59%.
Analyst Ratings Changes
A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Stephens reissued an “overweight” rating and issued a $425.00 price target on shares of Murphy USA in a report on Thursday, February 8th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of Murphy USA from $395.00 to $440.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, February 9th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on shares of Murphy USA from $382.00 to $408.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a report on Thursday, February 8th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Murphy USA from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and increased their price target for the stock from $375.00 to $425.00 in a report on Thursday, January 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $395.60.
Insider Activity at Murphy USA
In related news, SVP Robert J. Chumley sold 7,016 shares of Murphy USA stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $404.42, for a total value of $2,837,410.72. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 6,448 shares in the company, valued at $2,607,700.16. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other Murphy USA news, Director Jeanne Linder Phillips sold 1,525 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $411.42, for a total transaction of $627,415.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 2,670 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,098,491.40. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, SVP Robert J. Chumley sold 7,016 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $404.42, for a total value of $2,837,410.72. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 6,448 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,607,700.16. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 10,440 shares of company stock worth $4,244,582 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 9.47% of the company’s stock.
About Murphy USA
Murphy USA Inc engages in marketing of retail motor fuel products and convenience merchandise. The company operates retail stores under the Murphy USA, Murphy Express, and QuickChek brands, as well as operates non-fuel convenience stores. It operates retail gasoline stores principally in the Southeast, Southwest, and Midwest United States.
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