Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (NYSE:WD) Receives Consensus Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from Brokerages

Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (NYSE:WD) has been given a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by the six research firms that are covering the company, Marketbeat reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation and five have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $64.00.

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Citigroup restated a “market outperform” rating on shares of Walker & Dunlop in a report on Tuesday, August 18th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Walker & Dunlop from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday. Citizens Jmp cut their target price on Walker & Dunlop from $70.00 to $55.00 and set a “market outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, August 18th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their target price on Walker & Dunlop from $63.00 to $57.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, August 7th. Finally, Weiss Ratings cut Walker & Dunlop from a “hold (c-)” rating to a “sell (d+)” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 18th.

Walker & Dunlop Stock Up 0.7%

WD opened at $41.64 on Monday. Walker & Dunlop has a 52-week low of $39.01 and a 52-week high of $90.00. The company has a 50 day moving average of $47.80 and a two-hundred day moving average of $49.70. The company has a market cap of $1.43 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.18 and a beta of 1.49.

Walker & Dunlop (NYSE:WD) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, August 6th. The financial services provider reported $1.19 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.90 by $0.29. The business had revenue of $306.69 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $337.37 million. Walker & Dunlop had a net margin of 2.94% and a return on equity of 7.25%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was down 3.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.15 EPS.

Walker & Dunlop Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 3rd. Investors of record on Thursday, August 20th will be issued a $0.68 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 20th. This represents a $2.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.5%. Walker & Dunlop’s dividend payout ratio is currently 242.86%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Walker & Dunlop

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 107.9% in the 1st quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 580 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 301 shares in the last quarter. Essential Partners LLC grew its stake in Walker & Dunlop by 709.1% in the first quarter. Essential Partners LLC now owns 623 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 546 shares in the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new stake in Walker & Dunlop in the second quarter valued at about $35,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd increased its holdings in Walker & Dunlop by 1,398.0% in the fourth quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 734 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $44,000 after buying an additional 685 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Strs Ohio acquired a new stake in Walker & Dunlop during the first quarter valued at approximately $51,000. Institutional investors own 80.97% of the company’s stock.

About Walker & Dunlop

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.