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| Ronald Blue Trust Inc. Trims Holdings in Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA) |
El Dorado, Arkansas - In a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ronald Blue Trust Inc. disclosed an 86.9% reduction in its holdings of Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA) during the second quarter. This institutional investor now holds 181 shares of the specialty retailer's stock, down from its previous holding of 1,198 shares. The total value of Ronald Blue Trust Inc.'s stake in Murphy USA amounted to $47,000 at the close of the most recent quarter.
Murphy USA's performance in comparison to other mid-cap companies has been noteworthy, but investors are questioning whether it's the right time to buy into this stock.
Several other institutional investors have also adjusted their positions in the company. Dark Forest Capital Management LP initiated a new position in Murphy USA during the fourth quarter, investing $29,000. Similarly, Mendota Financial Group LLC entered the fray during the first quarter with a stake of approximately $50,000. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC followed suit during the same period with an investment of approximately $52,000. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC significantly increased its holdings in Murphy USA during the first quarter, now owning 218 shares valued at $56,000 after purchasing an additional 183 shares. Lastly, Covington Capital Management entered the picture during the third quarter with an investment of approximately $61,000. It's worth noting that hedge funds and other institutional investors now collectively hold 83.95% of the company's stock.
On Friday, Murphy USA (NYSE:MUSA) opened trading at $345.04. The company boasts a market capitalization of $7.40 billion, with a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 13.63 and a beta of 0.80. Murphy USA maintains a current ratio of 0.94, indicating strong liquidity, along with a quick ratio of 0.51. The debt-to-equity ratio stands at 2.38. As for its recent stock performance, the 50-day simple moving average is $318.94, while the 200-day simple moving average is $293.12. The stock has experienced a 12-month low of $231.65 and reached a high of $347.85 during the same period.
In terms of financial results, Murphy USA released its earnings report on August 2nd, falling slightly short of analysts' expectations with earnings per share (EPS) of $6.02 for the quarter, compared to a consensus estimate of $6.09. The company reported revenue of $5.59 billion, slightly lower than the estimated $5.61 billion. Murphy USA achieved a net margin of 2.59% and a return on equity of 80.20%. Analysts anticipate the company will post earnings per share of 21.38 for the current fiscal year.
Furthermore, Murphy USA recently increased its quarterly dividend, which was paid out on September 7th. Investors of record on August 28th received a dividend of $0.39 per share. This marks a positive change from the previous quarterly dividend of $0.38, resulting in a dividend payout ratio of 6.16%.
Several research firms have shared their insights on MUSA. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price from $330.00 to $385.00 and issued an "overweight" rating for the stock. Stephens reiterated an "overweight" rating with a $370.00 target price. StockNews.com upgraded Murphy USA from a "hold" to a "buy" rating. Lastly, Royal Bank of Canada lowered their target price from $362.00 to $360.00 and assigned a "sector perform" rating to the company. Overall, the stock currently holds an average rating of "Moderate Buy," with a consensus target price of $329.60 according to data from MarketBeat.com.
In terms of insider trading activity, CEO R Andrew Clyde sold 18,971 shares of the company's stock on August 21st, averaging $314.40 per share for a total transaction value of $5,964,482.40. After the sale, Clyde still owns 226,473 shares, valued at $71,203,111.20. SVP Christopher A. Click also sold 700 shares on August 7th, at an average price of $302.31, resulting in a total transaction value of $211,617.00. CEO R Andrew Clyde conducted another sale of 18,971 shares on the same day, at an average price of $314.40, totaling $5,964,482.40. Post-transaction, Clyde maintains ownership of 226,473 shares worth approximately $71,203,111.20. Insiders have collectively sold 70,815 shares valued at $22,153,785 over the last quarter, constituting 9.04% of the company's stock.
In summary, Murphy USA Inc. is engaged in retail motor fuel products and convenience merchandise marketing, operating under various brands, including Murphy USA, Murphy Express, and QuickChek. While it primarily operates retail gasoline stores in the Southeast, Southwest, and Midwest regions of the United States, its performance and investor sentiment continue to draw attention.
For the latest updates and insights on Murphy USA Inc., be sure to stay tuned to our ongoing coverage.
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