JPMorgan Chase & Co. Purchases 99,658 Shares of Walker & Dunlop, Inc. $WD

JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its position in shares of Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (NYSE:WD) by 49.0% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 303,242 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 99,658 shares during the quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s holdings in Walker & Dunlop were worth $25,357,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Allworth Financial LP raised its holdings in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 115.8% in 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 during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its holdings 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. Huntington National Bank boosted its holdings in Walker & Dunlop by 49.6% during the third quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 585 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $49,000 after purchasing an additional 194 shares during the last quarter. Strs Ohio bought a new position in Walker & Dunlop in the first quarter valued at $51,000. Finally, CWM LLC grew its position in Walker & Dunlop by 261.6% in the third quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,338 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $112,000 after purchasing an additional 968 shares in the last quarter. 80.97% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Walker & Dunlop Trading Up 1.5%

NYSE:WD opened at $44.47 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.51 billion, a PE ratio of 27.11 and a beta of 1.57. Walker & Dunlop, Inc. has a 1-year low of $42.12 and a 1-year high of $90.00. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $57.39 and a 200 day simple moving average of $67.35.

Walker & Dunlop (NYSE:WD) last posted its quarterly 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). The firm had revenue of $340.02 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $343.66 million. Walker & Dunlop had a return on equity of 6.81% and a net margin of 4.56%.The business’s revenue was down .4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.32 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts predict that Walker & Dunlop, Inc. will post 4.97 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Walker & Dunlop Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 13th will be paid a dividend of $0.68 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 13th. This represents a $2.72 annualized dividend and a dividend 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 presently 165.85%.

Insider Transactions at Walker & Dunlop

In other news, Director Ernest Michael Freedman bought 5,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred 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 purchase, 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 transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Dana L. Schmaltz bought 1,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 18th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $45.78 per share, with a total value of $45,780.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 84,325 shares in the company, valued at $3,860,398.50. The trade was a 1.20% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. 3.66% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Citigroup reissued a “market outperform” rating on shares of Walker & Dunlop in a research report on Friday, December 5th. 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 report on Friday, February 27th. Weiss Ratings raised Walker & Dunlop from a “sell (d+)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 18th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on Walker & Dunlop in a report on Friday, December 19th. They set a “buy” rating and a $75.00 target price on the stock. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Walker & Dunlop currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $81.25.

About Walker & Dunlop

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.