Canada Pension Plan Investment Board Acquires Shares of 15,700 Walker & Dunlop, Inc. $WD

Canada Pension Plan Investment Board bought a new stake in shares of Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (NYSE:WD) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm bought 15,700 shares of the financial services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $859,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the stock. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 107.9% in the first quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 580 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 301 shares during the last quarter. Essential Partners LLC increased its position in Walker & Dunlop by 709.1% in the 1st quarter. Essential Partners LLC now owns 623 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 546 shares during the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP acquired a new position in Walker & Dunlop in the 2nd quarter worth about $35,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd grew its stake in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 1,398.0% in the 4th quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 734 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $44,000 after buying an additional 685 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Strs Ohio bought a new stake in shares of Walker & Dunlop in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $51,000. 80.97% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Walker & Dunlop Price Performance

Walker & Dunlop stock opened at $40.41 on Tuesday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $47.57 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $49.53. Walker & Dunlop, Inc. has a 52-week low of $39.01 and a 52-week high of $90.00. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.39 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.08 and a beta of 1.49.

Walker & Dunlop (NYSE:WD) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 6th. The financial services provider reported $1.19 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.90 by $0.29. The firm had revenue of $306.69 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $337.37 million. Walker & Dunlop had a net margin of 2.94% and a return on equity of 7.25%. The company’s quarterly revenue was down 3.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.15 earnings per share.

Walker & Dunlop Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 3rd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 20th will be paid a dividend of $0.68 per share. This represents a $2.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 20th. Walker & Dunlop’s dividend payout ratio is 242.86%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

WD has been the subject of several recent research reports. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Walker & Dunlop from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their price objective on Walker & Dunlop from $63.00 to $57.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, August 7th. Citigroup reiterated a “market outperform” rating on shares of Walker & Dunlop in a research note on Tuesday, August 18th. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of Walker & Dunlop from a “hold (c-)” rating to a “sell (d+)” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 18th. Finally, Citizens Jmp decreased their target price on shares of Walker & Dunlop from $70.00 to $55.00 and set a “market outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, August 18th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $64.00.

Walker & Dunlop 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.