Walker & Dunlop (NYSE:WD) Sets New 12-Month Low – Should You Sell?

Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (NYSE:WD)’s stock price reached a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $59.83 and last traded at $60.09, with a volume of 160317 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $60.80.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts recently weighed in on the company. Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of Walker & Dunlop in a report on Monday. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Walker & Dunlop from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Saturday, November 8th. JMP Securities set a $95.00 target price on shares of Walker & Dunlop and gave the stock a “market outperform” rating in a report on Friday, October 10th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price target on shares of Walker & Dunlop from $95.00 to $97.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Finally, Citigroup reissued a “market outperform” rating on shares of Walker & Dunlop in a research report on Friday, December 5th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $90.40.

Walker & Dunlop Price Performance

The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $66.51 and its 200 day moving average price is $75.00. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.83 and a beta of 1.56.

Walker & Dunlop (NYSE:WD) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The financial services provider reported $1.22 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.21 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $337.68 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $325.10 million. Walker & Dunlop had a net margin of 9.31% and a return on equity of 8.85%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 15.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.19 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Walker & Dunlop, Inc. will post 4.97 earnings per share for the current year.

Walker & Dunlop Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 5th. Investors of record on Friday, November 21st were paid a $0.67 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 21st. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.5%. Walker & Dunlop’s dividend payout ratio is 79.53%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Walker & Dunlop

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in WD. Allworth Financial LP increased its stake in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 115.8% during the second quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 479 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 257 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its holdings in Walker & Dunlop by 65.7% during the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 479 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 190 shares in the last quarter. Huntington National Bank increased its position in Walker & Dunlop by 49.6% during the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 585 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $49,000 after purchasing an additional 194 shares during the period. Strs Ohio bought a new stake in shares of Walker & Dunlop in the 1st quarter valued at about $51,000. Finally, CWM LLC lifted its position in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 261.6% in the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,338 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $112,000 after purchasing an additional 968 shares during the period. 80.97% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.