Monument Capital Management Has $4.44 Million Stake in Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA)

Monument Capital Management trimmed its holdings in shares of Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA) by 5.3% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 10,598 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock after selling 592 shares during the period. Murphy USA accounts for approximately 1.3% of Monument Capital Management’s holdings, making the stock its 17th largest holding. Monument Capital Management owned approximately 0.05% of Murphy USA worth $4,443,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. LSV Asset Management grew its stake in shares of Murphy USA by 9.7% during the fourth quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 96,230 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $34,312,000 after purchasing an additional 8,500 shares during the period. Viking Fund Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Murphy USA during the first quarter worth $1,258,000. Quadrature Capital Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Murphy USA during the fourth quarter worth $8,949,000. Argent Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Murphy USA by 530.3% during the fourth quarter. Argent Capital Management LLC now owns 6,215 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $2,216,000 after purchasing an additional 5,229 shares during the period. Finally, Los Angeles Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Murphy USA by 29.5% during the first quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 26,671 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $11,180,000 after purchasing an additional 6,069 shares during the period. 80.81% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Murphy USA Stock Down 0.6 %

MUSA traded down $2.91 on Wednesday, hitting $456.95. 27,241 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 215,289. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $444.30 and its 200-day moving average is $410.46. The company has a market cap of $9.47 billion, a PE ratio of 19.30 and a beta of 0.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.28, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a current ratio of 0.87. Murphy USA Inc. has a 12 month low of $282.49 and a 12 month high of $489.89.

Murphy USA (NYSE:MUSA) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 1st. The specialty retailer reported $3.12 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.09 by ($0.97). Murphy USA had a return on equity of 64.45% and a net margin of 2.43%. The business had revenue of $4.84 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.89 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $4.80 EPS. Murphy USA’s quarterly revenue was down 4.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts predict that Murphy USA Inc. will post 24.57 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Murphy USA Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 3rd. Investors of record on Monday, May 20th were given a dividend of $0.44 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 17th. This represents a $1.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.39%. This is an increase from Murphy USA’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.42. Murphy USA’s dividend payout ratio is currently 7.39%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Murphy USA news, VP Donald R. Smith, Jr. sold 854 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $438.75, for a total transaction of $374,692.50. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 20,099 shares in the company, valued at $8,818,436.25. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, CEO R Andrew Clyde sold 10,392 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $440.32, for a total value of $4,575,805.44. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 199,563 shares in the company, valued at $87,871,580.16. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, VP Donald R. Smith, Jr. sold 854 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $438.75, for a total value of $374,692.50. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 20,099 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $8,818,436.25. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 11,451 shares of company stock valued at $5,032,498 over the last 90 days. 9.73% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have weighed in on MUSA shares. Stephens reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $470.00 target price on shares of Murphy USA in a report on Wednesday, April 10th. StockNews.com lowered Murphy USA from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, May 9th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Murphy USA from $440.00 to $460.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, April 19th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $408.60.

Murphy USA Company Profile

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.