Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund Reduces Holdings in Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA)

Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund cut its stake in shares of Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA) by 1.3% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 3,750 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock after selling 49 shares during the quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund’s holdings in Murphy USA were worth $1,882,000 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. Brown Lisle Cummings Inc. purchased a new stake in Murphy USA during the 4th quarter valued at about $50,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC boosted its holdings in Murphy USA by 37.0% during the 4th quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 100 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $50,000 after acquiring an additional 27 shares during the period. Fortitude Family Office LLC boosted its holdings in Murphy USA by 186.1% during the 4th quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 103 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $52,000 after acquiring an additional 67 shares during the period. R Squared Ltd purchased a new stake in Murphy USA during the 4th quarter valued at about $55,000. Finally, Versant Capital Management Inc boosted its holdings in Murphy USA by 348.4% during the 4th quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 139 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $70,000 after acquiring an additional 108 shares during the period. 80.81% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Murphy USA Stock Up 2.1 %

Shares of NYSE:MUSA opened at $469.63 on Friday. Murphy USA Inc. has a 52-week low of $382.04 and a 52-week high of $561.08. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.41 and a beta of 0.79. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $490.00 and a 200-day moving average price of $503.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.18, a quick ratio of 0.37 and a current ratio of 0.79.

Murphy USA (NYSE:MUSA) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The specialty retailer reported $6.96 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.46 by $0.50. Murphy USA had a return on equity of 61.60% and a net margin of 2.48%. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Murphy USA Inc. will post 26.45 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Murphy USA Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 5th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 24th will be given a $0.49 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, February 24th. This represents a $1.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.42%. This is a positive change from Murphy USA’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.48. Murphy USA’s dividend payout ratio is currently 8.10%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have commented on MUSA shares. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on Murphy USA from $555.00 to $550.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 7th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price target on Murphy USA from $550.00 to $554.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered Murphy USA from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, February 15th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $510.80.

Insider Transactions at Murphy USA

In related news, Director Rosemary Turner sold 797 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $496.10, for a total value of $395,391.70. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 9.73% of the company’s stock.

About Murphy USA

Murphy USA Inc engages in marketing of retail motor fuel products and convenience merchandise. The company operates retail stores under the Murphy USA, Murphy Express, and QuickChek brands, as well as operates non-fuel convenience stores. It operates retail gasoline stores principally in the Southeast, Southwest, and Midwest United States.