Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (NYSE:WD) Given Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (NYSE:WD) has been assigned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the six ratings firms that are covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating on the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $81.25.

A number of brokerages have weighed in on WD. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their price target on Walker & Dunlop from $80.00 to $65.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 27th. Citigroup reiterated a “market outperform” rating on shares of Walker & Dunlop in a report on Friday, December 5th. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on Walker & Dunlop in a research report on Friday, December 19th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $75.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised Walker & Dunlop from a “sell (d+)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 18th.

Insider Activity at Walker & Dunlop

In other news, Director Ernest Michael Freedman acquired 5,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 5th. The shares were bought at an average price of $49.21 per share, for a total transaction of $246,050.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 6,097 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $300,033.37. This trade represents a 455.79% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Dana L. Schmaltz bought 1,000 shares of Walker & Dunlop stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 18th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $45.78 per share, for a total transaction of $45,780.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 84,325 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,860,398.50. This represents a 1.20% increase in their position. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. 3.66% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Walker & Dunlop

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in WD. Arizona State Retirement System grew its stake in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 1.4% during the third quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 10,055 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $841,000 after acquiring an additional 142 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its holdings in Walker & Dunlop by 65.7% in the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 479 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 190 shares during the last quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Walker & Dunlop by 3.1% in the fourth quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 6,425 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $386,000 after purchasing an additional 192 shares during the last quarter. Huntington National Bank grew its stake 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 in the last quarter. Finally, State of Alaska Department of Revenue grew its stake in Walker & Dunlop by 1.1% during the 4th quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 18,787 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,129,000 after purchasing an additional 202 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.97% of the company’s stock.

Walker & Dunlop Stock Up 0.4%

NYSE WD opened at $44.45 on Friday. Walker & Dunlop has a fifty-two week low of $42.12 and a fifty-two week high of $90.00. The stock has a market cap of $1.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.10 and a beta of 1.53. The business has a fifty day moving average of $54.12 and a 200-day moving average of $65.27.

Walker & Dunlop (NYSE:WD) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 26th. The financial services provider reported $0.28 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.46 by ($1.18). The company had revenue of $340.02 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $343.66 million. Walker & Dunlop had a net margin of 4.56% and a return on equity of 6.81%. The firm’s revenue was down .4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.32 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that Walker & Dunlop will post 4.97 EPS for the current year.

Walker & Dunlop Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 27th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 13th were issued a $0.68 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 13th. This represents a $2.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.1%. This is a boost from Walker & Dunlop’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.67. Walker & Dunlop’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 165.85%.

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.