By otakuyassine3@gmail.com 
Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC reduced its position in Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA – Free Report) by 47.2% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 40,120 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock after selling 35,817 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC’s holdings in Murphy USA were worth $19,806,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.
A number of other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MUSA. Creative Planning raised its holdings in Murphy USA by 4.8% in the 3rd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 2,340 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $1,153,000 after acquiring an additional 107 shares during the last quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC grew its position in Murphy USA by 88.5% in the 3rd quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 801 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $395,000 after purchasing an additional 376 shares during the period. Bleakley Financial Group LLC grew its position in Murphy USA by 10.1% in the 3rd quarter. Bleakley Financial Group LLC now owns 612 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $302,000 after purchasing an additional 56 shares during the period. V Square Quantitative Management LLC grew its position in Murphy USA by 40.4% in the 3rd quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 73 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 21 shares during the period. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. grew its position in Murphy USA by 28.0% in the 3rd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,174 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $551,000 after purchasing an additional 257 shares during the period. 80.81% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
Insider Activity
In other news, Director Rosemary Turner sold 797 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $496.10, for a total transaction of $395,391.70. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 9.04% of the company’s stock.
Murphy USA Stock Performance
Shares of NYSE:MUSA opened at $485.65 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $9.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.07 and a beta of 0.79. Murphy USA Inc. has a 12 month low of $382.04 and a 12 month high of $561.08. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $502.93 and its 200 day moving average is $506.37. The company has a current ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.41 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.18.
Murphy USA (NYSE:MUSA – Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The specialty retailer reported $6.96 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $6.46 by $0.50. Murphy USA had a net margin of 2.48% and a return on equity of 61.60%. Research analysts predict that Murphy USA Inc. will post 26.47 EPS for the current year.
Murphy USA Increases Dividend
The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 5th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 24th will be paid a $0.49 dividend. This is an increase from Murphy USA’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.48. This represents a $1.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.40%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, February 24th. Murphy USA’s dividend payout ratio is currently 7.93%.
Analysts Set New Price Targets
A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on MUSA shares. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on shares of Murphy USA from $555.00 to $550.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 7th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on shares of Murphy USA from $550.00 to $554.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of Murphy USA from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $510.80.
Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Murphy USA
Murphy USA Profile
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.
See Also
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