Murphy USA (NYSE:MUSA) Stock Gets Price Target Cut from Royal Bank Of Canada

Murphy USA (NYSE:MUSA) had its target price reduced by Royal Bank Of Canada from $619.00 to $612.00 in a report released on Thursday morning,Benzinga reports. They currently have a sector perform rating on the specialty retailer’s stock.

A number of other equities research analysts have also commented on MUSA. Bank of America raised their price objective on shares of Murphy USA from $600.00 to $625.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, July 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of Murphy USA from a “sell” rating to a “neutral” rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $380.00 to $550.00 in a research report on Monday, July 6th. Wall Street Zen raised Murphy USA from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Sunday, October 11th. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Murphy USA from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, June 22nd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised Murphy USA from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and increased their target price for the stock from $550.00 to $625.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 1st. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $606.11.

Murphy USA Trading Up 0.5%

Shares of MUSA opened at $547.64 on Thursday. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $529.72 and its 200-day simple moving average is $546.50. The company has a quick ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.77. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.11 billion, a PE ratio of 16.68, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 0.29. Murphy USA has a 12-month low of $349.83 and a 12-month high of $636.04.

Murphy USA (NYSE:MUSA) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 5th. The specialty retailer reported $11.27 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $9.95 by $1.32. Murphy USA had a return on equity of 96.01% and a net margin of 2.87%. The firm had revenue of $6.81 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.03 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $7.36 EPS. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 36.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts predict that Murphy USA will post 34.75 earnings per share for the current year.

Murphy USA Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 3rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 24th were given a dividend of $0.65 per share. This is a positive change from Murphy USA’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.64. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 24th. This represents a $2.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.5%. Murphy USA’s payout ratio is 7.92%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Murphy USA

In related news, Director Rosemary Turner sold 966 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $571.88, for a total transaction of $552,436.08. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 449 shares in the company, valued at approximately $256,774.12. This represents a 68.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, SVP Eric J. Bartko sold 100 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $523.60, for a total value of $52,360.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 252 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $131,947.20. The trade was a 28.41% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders own 9.02% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of MUSA. CX Institutional bought a new position in shares of Murphy USA in the third quarter worth approximately $33,000. Root Financial Partners LLC lifted its holdings in Murphy USA by 82.5% in the first quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC now owns 73 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 33 shares during the period. Keating Financial Advisory Services Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Murphy USA during the 2nd quarter valued at $37,000. SHP Wealth Management purchased a new stake in shares of Murphy USA in the 4th quarter worth approximately $43,000. Finally, Sankala Group LLC purchased a new stake in Murphy USA during the 4th quarter valued at about $46,000. 80.81% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Murphy USA Company Profile

Murphy USA Inc operates a nationwide network of retail gasoline stations and convenience stores in the United States. Its stores sell branded and unbranded motor fuel, tobacco products, nicotine products, beverages, snacks, packaged food, and other convenience items. Some locations also offer additional services such as lottery products and car washes.

The company operates stores under the Murphy USA and Murphy Express brands, primarily in proximity to Walmart stores and along major roads.