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

Shares of Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (NYSE:WD) have earned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the seven analysts that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month target price among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $78.80.

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on WD shares. Stephens started coverage on shares of Walker & Dunlop in a report on Thursday, April 23rd. They set an “overweight” rating and a $69.00 price objective for the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their price objective on shares of Walker & Dunlop from $80.00 to $65.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 27th. Finally, Weiss Ratings cut shares of Walker & Dunlop from a “hold (c-)” rating to a “sell (d+)” rating in a report on Monday, April 6th.

Insider Transactions at Walker & Dunlop

In other Walker & Dunlop news, Director Ernest Michael Freedman acquired 5,000 shares of Walker & Dunlop stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 5th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $49.21 per share, for a total transaction of $246,050.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director directly owned 6,097 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $300,033.37. This represents a 455.79% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Dana L. Schmaltz acquired 1,000 shares of Walker & Dunlop stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 18th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $45.78 per share, with a total value of $45,780.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director directly owned 84,325 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,860,398.50. The trade was a 1.20% increase in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. 4.02% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in WD. Flagship Harbor Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Walker & Dunlop during the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd lifted its position in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 1,398.0% during 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 purchasing an additional 685 shares in the last quarter. Huntington National Bank lifted its position in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 49.6% during the third 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. Strs Ohio bought a new position in shares of Walker & Dunlop during the first quarter valued at about $51,000. Finally, Empowered Funds LLC bought a new position in shares of Walker & Dunlop during the fourth quarter valued at about $62,000. 80.97% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Walker & Dunlop Trading Down 0.8%

NYSE:WD opened at $50.87 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.02 and a beta of 1.52. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $48.29 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $60.10. Walker & Dunlop has a 12 month low of $42.12 and a 12 month high of $90.00.

Walker & Dunlop (NYSE:WD) last posted its quarterly earnings results 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 during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $343.66 million. Walker & Dunlop had a return on equity of 6.81% and a net margin of 4.56%.The company’s revenue for the quarter was down .4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.32 earnings per share.

Walker & Dunlop Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 13th were issued a dividend of $0.68 per share. This is an increase from Walker & Dunlop’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.67. This represents a $2.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.3%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 13th. Walker & Dunlop’s dividend payout ratio is 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.