Murphy USA Inc. $MUSA Stock Acquired by Leeward Investments LLC MA

Leeward Investments LLC MA increased its stake in shares of Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA) by 65.9% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 34,007 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock after buying an additional 13,507 shares during the period. Leeward Investments LLC MA’s holdings in Murphy USA were worth $17,141,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. EULAV Asset Management grew its holdings in Murphy USA by 4.1% during the 3rd quarter. EULAV Asset Management now owns 50,406 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $25,406,000 after acquiring an additional 2,001 shares during the last quarter. Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI acquired a new stake in Murphy USA in the 3rd quarter valued at about $267,000. Simplicity Wealth LLC increased its position in Murphy USA by 57.0% in the 3rd quarter. Simplicity Wealth LLC now owns 2,153 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $1,085,000 after acquiring an additional 782 shares in the last quarter. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in Murphy USA by 7.5% in the 3rd quarter. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 926 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $467,000 after acquiring an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Inspire Investing LLC raised its stake in shares of Murphy USA by 6.6% in the third quarter. Inspire Investing LLC now owns 9,111 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $4,592,000 after acquiring an additional 565 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.81% of the company’s stock.

Murphy USA Trading Down 0.0%

Shares of MUSA opened at $534.56 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.77. Murphy USA Inc. has a 12-month low of $349.83 and a 12-month high of $636.04. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.87 billion, a PE ratio of 16.28, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.37 and a beta of 0.29. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $527.83 and its 200-day simple moving average is $548.14.

Murphy USA (NYSE:MUSA) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 5th. The specialty retailer reported $11.27 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $9.95 by $1.32. The business had revenue of $6.81 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.03 billion. Murphy USA had a return on equity of 96.01% and a net margin of 2.87%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 36.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $7.36 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts predict that Murphy USA Inc. will post 34.64 earnings per share for the current year.

Murphy USA Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 4th will be issued a dividend of $0.72 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, November 4th. This represents a $2.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.5%. This is an increase from Murphy USA’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.65. Murphy USA’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 7.92%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of Murphy USA from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and upped their target price for the stock from $550.00 to $625.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 1st. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their price target on shares of Murphy USA from $619.00 to $612.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 15th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Murphy USA from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, October 19th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on shares of Murphy USA from $520.00 to $570.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Monday, July 20th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on shares of Murphy USA from $633.00 to $626.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $605.33.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Rosemary Turner sold 966 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $571.88, for a total value of $552,436.08. Following the transaction, the director owned 449 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $256,774.12. This trade represents a 68.27% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Eric J. Bartko sold 100 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $523.60, for a total transaction of $52,360.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 252 shares in the company, valued at $131,947.20. This trade represents a 28.41% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders own 9.02% of the company’s stock.

About Murphy USA

Murphy USA Inc is a U.S. operator of retail fuel and convenience stores. The company sells gasoline and diesel fuel along with tobacco products, packaged beverages, snacks, candy, grocery items, general merchandise and other convenience products. Many locations also offer prepared food and related services.

The company operates stores under the Murphy USA and Murphy Express brands, with a network concentrated primarily in the Southern, Southeastern and Midwestern United States. Murphy USA locations are commonly situated near Walmart stores, while Murphy Express sites generally operate as standalone convenience stores.