Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA) Short Interest Update

Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA) saw a significant growth in short interest in the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totaling 1,320,000 shares, a growth of 41.4% from the August 15th total of 933,800 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 325,400 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 4.1 days. Currently, 7.5% of the company’s shares are short sold. Currently, 7.5% of the company’s shares are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 325,400 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 4.1 days.

Murphy USA Stock Down 0.5%

MUSA stock opened at $397.57 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.20. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.67 billion, a PE ratio of 16.46 and a beta of 0.44. Murphy USA has a twelve month low of $345.23 and a twelve month high of $561.08. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $394.04 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $432.25.

Murphy USA (NYSE:MUSA) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 30th. The specialty retailer reported $7.36 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.82 by $0.54. The company had revenue of $5.01 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.17 billion. Murphy USA had a return on equity of 64.63% and a net margin of 2.52%.Murphy USA’s revenue was down 8.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $6.92 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts predict that Murphy USA will post 26.45 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Murphy USA Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 4th. Investors of record on Monday, August 25th were given a $0.53 dividend. This represents a $2.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 25th. This is a positive change from Murphy USA’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.50. Murphy USA’s dividend payout ratio is presently 8.78%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have weighed in on MUSA shares. Jefferies Financial Group downgraded shares of Murphy USA from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and set a $350.00 target price for the company. in a research report on Friday, August 1st. Zacks Research raised shares of Murphy USA from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 20th. KeyCorp reissued an “overweight” rating and set a $480.00 target price on shares of Murphy USA in a research report on Friday, September 5th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on shares of Murphy USA from $520.00 to $440.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, August 1st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $476.29.

Insider Activity at Murphy USA

In other news, Director Robert Madison Murphy acquired 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 5th. The stock was bought at an average price of $367.01 per share, with a total value of $1,835,050.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 389,172 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $142,830,015.72. This represents a 1.30% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, COO Malynda K. West sold 1,859 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $386.22, for a total value of $717,982.98. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer directly owned 117,389 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $45,337,979.58. This represents a 1.56% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 9.04% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Murphy USA

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Osaic Holdings Inc. lifted its position in Murphy USA by 72.6% in the second quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 3,005 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $1,222,000 after purchasing an additional 1,264 shares during the last quarter. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC increased its stake in shares of Murphy USA by 1.3% during the second quarter. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC now owns 4,362 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $1,774,000 after buying an additional 54 shares during the period. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans increased its stake in shares of Murphy USA by 186.9% during the second quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 35,785 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $14,558,000 after buying an additional 23,314 shares during the period. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Murphy USA during the second quarter valued at approximately $308,000. Finally, State of Wyoming purchased a new position in shares of Murphy USA during the second quarter valued at approximately $70,000. Institutional investors own 80.81% 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.