Renaissance Technologies LLC Sells 54,300 Shares of Walker & Dunlop, Inc. $WD

Renaissance Technologies LLC decreased its holdings in shares of Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (NYSE:WD) by 56.7% during the first quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 41,500 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 54,300 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC’s holdings in Walker & Dunlop were worth $1,842,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Flagship Harbor Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Walker & Dunlop in the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd raised its position in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 1,398.0% during the 4th quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 734 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $44,000 after buying an additional 685 shares in the last quarter. Strs Ohio bought a new position in shares of Walker & Dunlop in the 1st quarter valued at about $51,000. Huntington National Bank lifted its holdings in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 47.9% in the 4th quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 865 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $52,000 after acquiring an additional 280 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Empowered Funds LLC purchased a new position in Walker & Dunlop in the fourth quarter worth about $62,000. Institutional investors own 80.97% of the company’s stock.

Walker & Dunlop Trading Down 0.9%

Shares of WD opened at $42.97 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.48 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.37 and a beta of 1.49. Walker & Dunlop, Inc. has a 12-month low of $41.38 and a 12-month high of $90.00. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $50.54 and a 200-day moving average price of $51.76.

Walker & Dunlop (NYSE:WD) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 6th. The financial services provider reported $1.19 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.90 by $0.29. Walker & Dunlop had a net margin of 2.94% and a return on equity of 7.25%. The company had revenue of $306.69 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $337.37 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.15 EPS. The firm’s revenue was down 3.9% compared to the same quarter last year.

Walker & Dunlop Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 3rd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 20th will be paid a dividend of $0.68 per share. This represents a $2.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 20th. Walker & Dunlop’s payout ratio is currently 242.86%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Wall Street Zen cut Walker & Dunlop from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Saturday. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their target price on Walker & Dunlop from $63.00 to $57.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Friday, August 7th. Weiss Ratings raised Walker & Dunlop from a “sell (d+)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 4th. Finally, Stephens initiated coverage on Walker & Dunlop in a report on Thursday, April 23rd. They set an “overweight” rating and a $69.00 price target on the stock. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $77.20.

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.