SG Americas Securities LLC Buys 42,835 Shares of Walker & Dunlop, Inc. $WD

SG Americas Securities LLC lifted its position in Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (NYSE:WD) by 632.8% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 49,604 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 42,835 shares during the period. SG Americas Securities LLC owned approximately 0.15% of Walker & Dunlop worth $2,984,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC increased its stake in Walker & Dunlop by 17.1% in the fourth quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 5,869 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $360,000 after purchasing an additional 859 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its holdings in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 49.0% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 303,242 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $25,357,000 after buying an additional 99,658 shares during the period. CIBC Bancorp USA Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Walker & Dunlop in the 3rd quarter valued at $294,000. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co increased its position in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 5.2% in the 3rd quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 36,573 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $3,037,000 after buying an additional 1,824 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Alyeska Investment Group L.P. raised its stake in Walker & Dunlop by 21.8% during the 3rd quarter. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. now owns 184,695 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $15,444,000 after buying an additional 33,011 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 80.97% of the company’s stock.

Walker & Dunlop Trading Up 0.0%

Walker & Dunlop stock opened at $44.45 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $1.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.10 and a beta of 1.53. Walker & Dunlop, Inc. has a 1-year low of $42.12 and a 1-year high of $90.00. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $53.72 and a 200 day simple moving average of $64.98.

Walker & Dunlop (NYSE:WD) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 26th. The financial services provider reported $0.28 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.46 by ($1.18). Walker & Dunlop had a return on equity of 6.81% and a net margin of 4.56%.The business had revenue of $340.02 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $343.66 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.32 earnings per share. The company’s quarterly revenue was down .4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Walker & Dunlop, Inc. will post 4.97 EPS for the current year.

Walker & Dunlop Increases Dividend

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

Insider Activity at Walker & Dunlop

In related news, Director Ernest Michael Freedman purchased 5,000 shares of Walker & Dunlop stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 5th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $49.21 per share, with a total value of $246,050.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director 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 purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Dana L. Schmaltz purchased 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 18th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $45.78 per share, for a total transaction of $45,780.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 84,325 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,860,398.50. The trade was a 1.20% increase in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Corporate insiders own 3.66% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have issued reports on the company. Citigroup reissued a “market outperform” rating on shares of Walker & Dunlop in a research note on Friday, December 5th. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on Walker & Dunlop in a report on Friday, December 19th. They set a “buy” rating and a $75.00 price objective on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price objective on Walker & Dunlop from $80.00 to $65.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 27th. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised Walker & Dunlop from a “sell (d+)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 18th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $81.25.

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.