Walker & Dunlop (NYSE:WD) Hits New 12-Month Low – Here’s What Happened

Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (NYSE:WD)’s share price hit a new 52-week low on Friday . The stock traded as low as $86.89 and last traded at $86.98, with a volume of 104587 shares. The stock had previously closed at $92.24.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have weighed in on WD shares. Wedbush increased their price target on Walker & Dunlop from $105.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 25th. Wolfe Research upgraded shares of Walker & Dunlop to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 24th.

Walker & Dunlop Stock Down 5.2 %

The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $104.06 and a 200-day simple moving average of $105.41. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.95 billion, a PE ratio of 31.21 and a beta of 1.55.

Walker & Dunlop (NYSE:WD) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, November 7th. The financial services provider reported $1.19 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.29 by ($0.10). The business had revenue of $292.30 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $294.24 million. Walker & Dunlop had a return on equity of 9.81% and a net margin of 8.91%. Walker & Dunlop’s revenue for the quarter was up 8.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.11 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Walker & Dunlop, Inc. will post 5.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Walker & Dunlop Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 6th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 22nd were issued a dividend of $0.65 per share. This represents a $2.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.97%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 22nd. Walker & Dunlop’s payout ratio is presently 92.86%.

Institutional Trading of Walker & Dunlop

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. National Bank of Canada FI increased its position in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 205.6% in the second quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 275 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 185 shares during the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 1,295.8% in the 3rd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 335 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 311 shares during the last quarter. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. raised its position in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 44.5% during the 2nd quarter. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. now owns 575 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $56,000 after buying an additional 177 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 64.7% during the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 654 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $74,000 after acquiring an additional 257 shares during the last quarter. Finally, KBC Group NV grew its position in Walker & Dunlop by 28.4% in the third quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 1,203 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $137,000 after acquiring an additional 266 shares in the last quarter. 80.97% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Walker & Dunlop

Walker & Dunlop, Inc, through its subsidiaries, originates, sells, and services a range of multifamily and other commercial real estate financing products and services for owners and developers of real estate in the United States. It operates through three segments: Capital Markets, Servicing & Asset Management, and Corporate.