Key Points
- Dana Schmaltz, a director, bought 1,000 shares of Walker & Dunlop on March 18 at an average price of $45.78 (totaling $45,780), bringing her ownership to 84,325 shares — a 1.20% increase.
- The company missed quarterly expectations, reporting EPS $0.28 vs. $1.46 expected and revenue of $340.0M (slightly below estimates), with shares trading near the low end of their 12‑month range.
- Walker & Dunlop raised its quarterly dividend to $0.68 (annualized $2.72) for a ~6.2% yield, though the payout ratio is a high 165.85%, suggesting potential sustainability concerns.
Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (NYSE:WD - Get Free Report) Director Dana Schmaltz purchased 1,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 18th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $45.78 per share, for a total transaction of $45,780.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director owned 84,325 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,860,398.50. This trade represents a 1.20% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website.
Walker & Dunlop Trading Down 1.9%
Shares of WD opened at $43.78 on Friday. Walker & Dunlop, Inc. has a twelve month low of $42.12 and a twelve month high of $90.00. The stock's 50 day moving average is $57.78 and its two-hundred day moving average is $67.83. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.49 billion, a PE ratio of 26.69 and a beta of 1.57.
Walker & Dunlop (NYSE:WD - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 26th. The financial services provider reported $0.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.46 by ($1.18). The business had revenue of $340.02 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $343.66 million. Walker & Dunlop had a return on equity of 6.81% and a net margin of 4.56%.The business's quarterly revenue was down .4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.32 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Walker & Dunlop, Inc. will post 4.97 EPS for the current year.
Walker & Dunlop Increases Dividend
The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 27th. Investors of record on Friday, March 13th will be issued a dividend of $0.68 per share. This is a boost from Walker & Dunlop's previous quarterly dividend of $0.67. This represents a $2.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 13th. Walker & Dunlop's dividend payout ratio is currently 165.85%.
Institutional Inflows and Outflows
Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its holdings in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 49.0% in the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 303,242 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $25,357,000 after purchasing an additional 99,658 shares in the last quarter. Thornburg Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 34.5% during the 3rd quarter. Thornburg Investment Management Inc. now owns 159,641 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $13,349,000 after purchasing an additional 40,907 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 19.8% during the 3rd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 114,441 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $9,570,000 after purchasing an additional 18,950 shares in the last quarter. ARGA Investment Management LP raised its position in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 151.4% during the 3rd quarter. ARGA Investment Management LP now owns 18,113 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $1,515,000 after purchasing an additional 10,908 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Walker & Dunlop during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $30,422,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.97% of the company's stock.
Analysts Set New Price Targets
A number of equities research analysts have commented on WD shares. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on Walker & Dunlop in a report on Friday, December 19th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $75.00 target price for the company. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Walker & Dunlop from a "sell (d+)" rating to a "hold (c-)" rating in a report on Wednesday. Citigroup reiterated a "market outperform" rating on shares of Walker & Dunlop in a research note on Friday, December 5th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price objective on shares of Walker & Dunlop from $80.00 to $65.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 27th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $81.25.
Get Our Latest Research Report on WD
About Walker & Dunlop
(
Get Free Report)
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.
Recommended Stories
This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from InsiderTrades.com in order to provide readers with the fastest and most accurate reporting. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].
