Walker & Dunlop’s (WD) Neutral Rating Reiterated at Wedbush

Wedbush reaffirmed their neutral rating on shares of Walker & Dunlop (NYSE:WD) in a research note issued to investors on Friday, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a $95.00 price target on the financial services provider’s stock.

Several other research analysts also recently weighed in on WD. StockNews.com downgraded Walker & Dunlop from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Friday, March 22nd. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reiterated a market perform rating and set a $105.00 target price on shares of Walker & Dunlop in a research report on Tuesday, March 26th.

Walker & Dunlop Stock Up 1.1 %

Shares of NYSE:WD opened at $95.23 on Friday. The business’s 50 day moving average is $93.82 and its 200 day moving average is $91.91. Walker & Dunlop has a 12-month low of $61.06 and a 12-month high of $113.67. The stock has a market cap of $3.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.76 and a beta of 1.54.

Walker & Dunlop (NYSE:WD) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 2nd. The financial services provider reported $1.19 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.83 by $0.36. Walker & Dunlop had a net margin of 8.87% and a return on equity of 9.16%. The business had revenue of $228.10 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $251.82 million. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.17 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was down 4.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Walker & Dunlop will post 4.2 earnings per share for the current year.

Walker & Dunlop Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 31st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 16th will be issued a $0.65 dividend. This represents a $2.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.73%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, May 15th. Walker & Dunlop’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 94.89%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Howard W. Smith III sold 20,166 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $93.56, for a total transaction of $1,886,730.96. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 191,508 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $17,917,488.48. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In related news, Director Howard W. Smith III sold 20,166 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $93.56, for a total transaction of $1,886,730.96. Following the transaction, the director now owns 191,508 shares in the company, valued at $17,917,488.48. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, CFO Gregory Florkowski sold 4,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $96.45, for a total transaction of $385,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 11,809 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,138,978.05. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 46,074 shares of company stock valued at $4,328,255 over the last ninety days. 5.47% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Walker & Dunlop

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Insight Folios Inc raised its stake in Walker & Dunlop by 2.5% during the first quarter. Insight Folios Inc now owns 7,043 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $712,000 after buying an additional 171 shares during the last quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund raised its position in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 2.1% in the 3rd quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund now owns 9,876 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $733,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in Walker & Dunlop by 11.0% in the 1st quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,025 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $205,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund grew its position in Walker & Dunlop by 1.7% during the 4th quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 12,979 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,441,000 after purchasing an additional 219 shares during the last quarter. Finally, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its position in Walker & Dunlop by 11.5% during the 4th quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 2,204 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $245,000 after purchasing an additional 227 shares during the last quarter. 80.97% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Walker & Dunlop

Walker & Dunlop, Inc, through its subsidiaries, originates, sells, and services a range of multifamily and other commercial real estate financing products and services for owners and developers of real estate in the United States. It operates through three segments: Capital Markets, Servicing & Asset Management, and Corporate.