Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA) reported a significant transaction involving its CEO, Malynda West, who sold 3,967 shares of company stock on February 4, 2024. The shares were sold at an average price of $450.00, resulting in a total transaction value of $1,785,150.00. Following this sale, West now holds 117,389 shares, valued at approximately $52,825,050. This sale reflects a 3.27% decrease in her overall position in the company.
The transaction was disclosed through a legal filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The sale occurred against a backdrop of fluctuating stock performance, with Murphy USA’s shares declining by 4.8% on the day of the sale, trading down to $378.50. During this trading session, the volume reached 719,982 shares, significantly surpassing the average volume of 334,727 shares.
Financial Overview and Market Impact
Murphy USA has seen its stock fluctuate over the past year, with a 12-month low of $345.23 and a high of $523.09. As of the latest reports, the company has a market capitalization of $7.09 billion and a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 15.59. The company’s debt-to-equity ratio stands at 4.07, along with a quick ratio of 0.40 and a current ratio of 0.81. The 50-day moving average price is $414.65, while the 200-day moving average price is $393.70.
On the same day as the CEO’s share sale, Murphy USA released its quarterly earnings report, indicating an earnings per share (EPS) of $7.53, which exceeded analysts’ expectations of $6.67 by $0.86. The company reported revenue of $4.74 billion for the quarter, slightly below the consensus estimate of $4.88 billion. This marks a 0.7% increase in revenue compared to the same quarter last year, while EPS rose from $6.96 in the previous year.
Institutional Investment Trends
The stock dynamics of Murphy USA have attracted attention from institutional investors. Recent reports indicate that several hedge funds have adjusted their stakes in the company. For instance, MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB increased its holdings by 82.4% in the fourth quarter, acquiring an additional 28 shares to reach a total of 62 shares valued at approximately $25,000. Other notable transactions include Ameriflex Group Inc., which purchased a new stake valued at about $26,000, and EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC, which boosted its holdings by 423.1% during the second quarter.
Overall, institutional investors and hedge funds collectively own 80.81% of Murphy USA’s stock, reflecting strong confidence in the company’s market position and growth potential.
Murphy USA, based in El Dorado, Arkansas, is a leading downstream marketer of gasoline, diesel, and convenience store products in the United States. Originally part of Murphy Oil Corporation, the company became an independent public entity in 2013, focusing on retail fueling services and consumer convenience offerings.
The recent share sale by CEO Malynda West, coupled with the company’s robust earnings, indicates a proactive approach amid market fluctuations, underscoring the ongoing strategic positioning of Murphy USA in the competitive retail fuel sector.
