Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA) Receives Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from Analysts

Shares of Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA) have earned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the seven ratings firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price target among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $525.67.

A number of brokerages have commented on MUSA. Melius Research upgraded Murphy USA to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 11th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on Murphy USA from $550.00 to $554.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on Murphy USA from $555.00 to $550.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 7th. StockNews.com cut Murphy USA from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday. Finally, Melius started coverage on Murphy USA in a report on Tuesday, March 11th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $600.00 target price for the company.

Insider Transactions at Murphy USA

In other news, Director Jeanne Linder Phillips sold 797 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $452.31, for a total value of $360,491.07. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 2,349 shares in the company, valued at $1,062,476.19. This trade represents a 25.33 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, CMO Renee M. Bacon sold 2,000 shares of Murphy USA stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $469.58, for a total value of $939,160.00. Following the transaction, the chief marketing officer now owns 5,927 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,783,200.66. This represents a 25.23 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 3,594 shares of company stock worth $1,695,043 in the last three months. Insiders own 9.04% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Brown Lisle Cummings Inc. bought a new position in Murphy USA during the fourth quarter worth about $50,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Murphy USA by 37.0% in the 4th quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 100 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $50,000 after purchasing an additional 27 shares during the period. Fortitude Family Office LLC raised its stake in shares of Murphy USA by 186.1% in the 4th quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 103 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $52,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares during the period. R Squared Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Murphy USA in the 4th quarter valued at about $55,000. Finally, Johnson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Murphy USA in the 4th quarter valued at about $64,000. 80.81% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Murphy USA Price Performance

Shares of MUSA stock opened at $440.45 on Tuesday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $474.38 and a two-hundred day moving average of $497.29. The company has a current ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.18. Murphy USA has a 12 month low of $382.04 and a 12 month high of $561.08. The company has a market capitalization of $8.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.20 and a beta of 0.80.

Murphy USA (NYSE:MUSA) last announced its quarterly earnings data 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 return on equity of 61.60% and a net margin of 2.48%. As a group, equities analysts expect that Murphy USA will post 26.45 EPS for the current year.

Murphy USA Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 5th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 24th were given a $0.49 dividend. This is a positive change from Murphy USA’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.48. This represents a $1.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.44%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 24th. Murphy USA’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 8.10%.

Murphy USA Company 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.