Walker & Dunlop (NYSE:WD) Director Dana Schmaltz Acquires 1,000 Shares

Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (NYSE:WD) Director Dana Schmaltz acquired 1,000 shares of Walker & Dunlop stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 18th. The stock was bought at an average price of $45.78 per share, for a total transaction of $45,780.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director owned 84,325 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,860,398.50. This represents a 1.20% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link.

Walker & Dunlop Stock Performance

Shares of WD opened at $43.78 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $57.78 and a 200-day simple moving average of $67.83. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.49 billion, a PE ratio of 26.69 and a beta of 1.57. Walker & Dunlop, Inc. has a 1 year low of $42.12 and a 1 year high of $90.00.

Walker & Dunlop (NYSE:WD) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 26th. The financial services provider reported $0.28 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.46 by ($1.18). The firm had revenue of $340.02 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $343.66 million. Walker & Dunlop had a return on equity of 6.81% and a net margin of 4.56%.The company’s revenue was down .4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.32 EPS. Analysts predict that Walker & Dunlop, Inc. will post 4.97 EPS for the current year.

Walker & Dunlop Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 27th. Investors of record on Friday, March 13th will be paid a dividend of $0.68 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 13th. This is a positive change from Walker & Dunlop’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.67. This represents a $2.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.2%. Walker & Dunlop’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 165.85%.

Institutional Trading of Walker & Dunlop

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Royal Bank of Canada raised its stake in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 41.4% during the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 8,196 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $699,000 after purchasing an additional 2,399 shares during the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC grew its position in Walker & Dunlop by 17.5% in the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 3,702 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $316,000 after buying an additional 552 shares during the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. increased its stake in Walker & Dunlop by 4.5% in the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 19,115 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,632,000 after buying an additional 823 shares during the period. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC increased its stake in Walker & Dunlop by 7.5% in the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 107,730 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $9,196,000 after buying an additional 7,470 shares during the period. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC raised its position in Walker & Dunlop by 1,136.3% during the 1st quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 62,497 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $5,335,000 after buying an additional 57,442 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.97% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on shares of Walker & Dunlop in a research report on Friday, December 19th. They set a “buy” rating and a $75.00 price objective for the company. Citigroup reiterated a “market outperform” rating on shares of Walker & Dunlop in a research note on Friday, December 5th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their price target on shares of Walker & Dunlop from $80.00 to $65.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 27th. Finally, Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Walker & Dunlop from a “sell (d+)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $81.25.

Walker & Dunlop Company Profile

Walker & Dunlop is one of the largest providers of commercial real estate finance in the United States, specializing in the origination, servicing and sale of loans secured by multifamily, seniors housing, healthcare, student housing and manufactured housing properties. The firm offers a full suite of debt and equity solutions, including agency financing through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, HUD and FHA-insured loans, bridge and construction financing, mezzanine debt, preferred equity, and investment sales advisory.

With roots dating back to 1937 and its headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland, Walker & Dunlop has expanded its platform through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions.