St. Johns Investment Management Company LLC Acquires 26,392 Shares of Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT)

St. Johns Investment Management Company LLC increased its holdings in shares of Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) by 198.6% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 39,683 shares of the retailer’s stock after purchasing an additional 26,392 shares during the period. Walmart makes up 1.1% of St. Johns Investment Management Company LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 24th biggest position. St. Johns Investment Management Company LLC’s holdings in Walmart were worth $2,388,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of WMT. Partnership Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Walmart in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Able Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Walmart in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC bought a new stake in Walmart in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Signature Resources Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Walmart in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Finally, Tidemark LLC bought a new stake in Walmart in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Institutional investors own 26.76% of the company’s stock.

Walmart Trading Up 1.3 %

NYSE WMT opened at $68.30 on Thursday. Walmart Inc. has a 1-year low of $49.85 and a 1-year high of $69.04. The company has a current ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $63.56 and a 200-day moving average of $59.05. The firm has a market cap of $549.37 billion, a PE ratio of 29.23, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.89 and a beta of 0.52.

Walmart (NYSE:WMT) last released its earnings results on Thursday, May 16th. The retailer reported $0.60 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.52 by $0.08. Walmart had a return on equity of 21.57% and a net margin of 2.88%. The company had revenue of $161.50 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $159.57 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.49 EPS. Walmart’s revenue for the quarter was up 6.0% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Walmart Inc. will post 2.42 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have weighed in on WMT shares. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on Walmart from $64.33 to $73.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, May 17th. UBS Group boosted their price target on Walmart from $63.00 to $69.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 7th. Citigroup boosted their price target on Walmart from $63.33 to $75.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, May 17th. DA Davidson boosted their price target on Walmart from $69.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, May 17th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on Walmart from $62.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, May 17th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-eight have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $69.97.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP John R. Furner sold 13,125 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $66.85, for a total value of $877,406.25. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 658,665 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $44,031,755.25. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, major shareholder Alice L. Walton sold 3,633,800 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $66.80, for a total transaction of $242,737,840.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 636,898,811 shares in the company, valued at approximately $42,544,840,574.80. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP John R. Furner sold 13,125 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $66.85, for a total value of $877,406.25. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 658,665 shares in the company, valued at approximately $44,031,755.25. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 14,451,722 shares of company stock valued at $947,990,915. Insiders own 45.58% of the company’s stock.

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.