UBS Group AG Decreases Holdings in Walker & Dunlop, Inc. $WD

UBS Group AG trimmed its holdings in shares of Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (NYSE:WD) by 19.1% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 43,916 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 10,377 shares during the period. UBS Group AG owned 0.13% of Walker & Dunlop worth $2,642,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Flagship Harbor Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Walker & Dunlop during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Huntington National Bank lifted its holdings in Walker & Dunlop by 49.6% during the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 585 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $49,000 after buying an additional 194 shares during the last quarter. Strs Ohio purchased a new stake in Walker & Dunlop during the 1st quarter worth about $51,000. Bessemer Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Walker & Dunlop by 758.5% during the 3rd quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 1,468 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $123,000 after buying an additional 1,297 shares during the last quarter. Finally, iSAM Funds UK Ltd purchased a new stake in Walker & Dunlop during the 3rd quarter worth about $139,000. 80.97% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Walker & Dunlop Stock Performance

Walker & Dunlop stock opened at $49.97 on Wednesday. Walker & Dunlop, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $42.12 and a fifty-two week high of $90.00. The company has a market capitalization of $1.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.74 and a beta of 1.52. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $48.50 and a 200-day simple moving average of $56.67.

Walker & Dunlop (NYSE:WD) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 26th. The financial services provider reported $0.28 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.46 by ($1.18). Walker & Dunlop had a net margin of 5.29% and a return on equity of 7.18%. The firm had revenue of $340.02 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $343.66 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.32 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was down .4% on a year-over-year basis.

Walker & Dunlop Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 4th. Investors of record on Thursday, May 21st will be given a $0.68 dividend. This represents a $2.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.4%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 21st. Walker & Dunlop’s payout ratio is 134.65%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Dana L. Schmaltz purchased 1,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 transaction, the director directly owned 84,325 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,860,398.50. The trade was a 1.20% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Ernest Michael Freedman purchased 5,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 5th. The stock was bought at an average price of $49.21 per share, for a total transaction of $246,050.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 6,097 shares in the company, valued at $300,033.37. This trade represents a 455.79% increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. Insiders own 4.02% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have issued reports on WD shares. Weiss Ratings raised Walker & Dunlop from a “sell (d+)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a report on Monday, May 11th. Wall Street Zen raised Walker & Dunlop from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, May 9th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price target on Walker & Dunlop from $65.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, May 8th. Finally, Stephens started coverage on Walker & Dunlop in a report on Thursday, April 23rd. They set an “overweight” rating and a $69.00 price target for the company. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $79.20.

Walker & Dunlop Company Profile

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.