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

Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (NYSE:WD) has earned a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the six analysts that are covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $81.25.

WD has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Citigroup reaffirmed a “market outperform” rating on shares of Walker & Dunlop in a report on Friday, December 5th. Weiss Ratings cut Walker & Dunlop from a “hold (c-)” rating to a “sell (d+)” rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 3rd. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on Walker & Dunlop in a research note on Friday, December 19th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $75.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their price target on Walker & Dunlop from $80.00 to $65.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 27th.

Walker & Dunlop Trading Down 2.6%

Shares of NYSE:WD opened at $45.04 on Monday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $59.45 and a 200 day moving average of $69.24. The stock has a market cap of $1.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.47 and a beta of 1.57. 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 earnings results on Thursday, February 26th. The financial services provider reported $0.28 earnings per share (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 firm had revenue of $340.02 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $343.66 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.32 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was down .4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts forecast that Walker & Dunlop will post 4.97 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Walker & Dunlop Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 27th. Investors of record on Friday, March 13th will be given a $0.68 dividend. This represents a $2.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.0%. This is a positive change from Walker & Dunlop’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.67. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 13th. Walker & Dunlop’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 163.41%.

Insider Transactions at Walker & Dunlop

In related news, Director Ernest Michael Freedman bought 5,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 5th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $49.21 per share, for a total transaction of $246,050.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 6,097 shares in the company, valued at $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 is available through this link. 3.66% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Walker & Dunlop

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Flagship Harbor Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Walker & Dunlop in the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Allworth Financial LP raised its position in 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 purchasing an additional 257 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its stake in Walker & Dunlop by 65.7% during the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 479 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $40,000 after purchasing an additional 190 shares during the last quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd lifted its stake in 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 worth $44,000 after purchasing an additional 685 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Huntington National Bank boosted its holdings in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 49.6% in the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 585 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $49,000 after purchasing an additional 194 shares in the last quarter. 80.97% of the stock is owned by 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.