Howe & Rusling Inc. Cuts Stake in Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA)

Howe & Rusling Inc. lessened its position in shares of Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA) by 33.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 673 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock after selling 333 shares during the period. Howe & Rusling Inc.’s holdings in Murphy USA were worth $240,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Mach 1 Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in Murphy USA during the 4th quarter worth approximately $257,000. Savant Capital LLC acquired a new position in Murphy USA during the 4th quarter worth approximately $210,000. Islay Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in Murphy USA by 13.4% during the 4th quarter. Islay Capital Management LLC now owns 2,707 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $965,000 after acquiring an additional 320 shares in the last quarter. EWA LLC grew its holdings in Murphy USA by 22.8% during the 4th quarter. EWA LLC now owns 668 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $239,000 after acquiring an additional 124 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Convergence Investment Partners LLC grew its holdings in Murphy USA by 5.9% during the 4th quarter. Convergence Investment Partners LLC now owns 911 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $325,000 after acquiring an additional 51 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.81% of the company’s stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, SVP Robert J. Chumley sold 7,016 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred 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 directly owns 6,448 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,607,700.16. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, SVP Robert J. Chumley sold 7,016 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred 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 directly owns 6,448 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,607,700.16. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Christopher A. Click sold 664 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $415.55, for a total transaction of $275,925.20. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 2,413 shares in the company, valued at $1,002,722.15. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 10,440 shares of company stock valued at $4,244,582 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 9.04% of the company’s stock.

Murphy USA Stock Performance

Shares of MUSA opened at $411.20 on Thursday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $415.60 and a 200-day simple moving average of $384.59. The company has a quick ratio of 0.56, a current ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.15. The company has a market capitalization of $8.56 billion, a PE ratio of 16.12 and a beta of 0.77. Murphy USA Inc. has a 52-week low of $268.69 and a 52-week high of $430.83.

Murphy USA (NYSE:MUSA) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 7th. The specialty retailer reported $7.00 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates 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 firm’s revenue was down 5.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $5.21 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Murphy USA Inc. will post 26.29 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Murphy USA Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 7th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 26th were paid a dividend of $0.42 per share. This is a boost from Murphy USA’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.41. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.41%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 23rd. Murphy USA’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 6.59%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Stephens restated an “overweight” rating and issued a $470.00 target price on shares of Murphy USA in a report on Wednesday, April 10th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of Murphy USA from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and upped their target price for the company from $375.00 to $425.00 in a report on Thursday, January 4th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on shares of Murphy USA from $382.00 to $408.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a report on Thursday, February 8th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on shares of Murphy USA from $440.00 to $460.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, April 19th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $408.60.

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.