WINTON GROUP Ltd has increased its holdings in Murphy Oil Corporation (NYSE:MUR) by 10.3% during the second quarter of 2023, according to the company’s recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor now owns a total of 414,523 shares of the oil and gas producer, following the acquisition of an additional 38,761 shares in the quarter. As of the latest filing, Murphy Oil accounts for approximately 0.5% of WINTON GROUP Ltd’s total holdings, making it the firm’s 26th largest position, valued at about $9,327,000.
Several other institutional investors have also adjusted their stakes in Murphy Oil. For instance, Brooklyn Investment Group significantly increased its holdings by an astounding 3,989.7% in the first quarter, now owning 1,186 shares worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 1,157 shares. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. raised its stake by 1,710.9%, owning 1,666 shares valued at $47,000 following an additional acquisition of 1,574 shares. UMB Bank n.a. expanded its position by 148.1%, resulting in ownership of 2,273 shares worth $51,000 after acquiring 1,357 shares.
Additionally, Allworth Financial LP increased its position by 39.7%, holding 2,440 shares valued at $55,000, while Hantz Financial Services Inc. reported a remarkable 494.0% increase, now owning 2,786 shares valued at $63,000. Institutional investors currently own approximately 78.31% of Murphy Oil’s stock.
Market Performance and Dividend Announcement
As of December 1, 2023, Murphy Oil shares opened at $32.74. The company has a 50-day moving average of $29.40 and a 200-day moving average of $26.17. Financial metrics indicate a current ratio of 0.94, a quick ratio of 0.87, and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. The company’s market capitalization stands at $4.67 billion, with a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.41 and a beta of 0.81. Over the past year, Murphy Oil’s shares have fluctuated between a low of $18.94 and a high of $34.52.
In a recent corporate action, Murphy Oil declared a quarterly dividend of $0.325 per share, which was paid to shareholders on December 1. Shareholders of record as of November 17 received this dividend, resulting in an annualized dividend of $1.30 and a yield of 4.0%. The company’s dividend payout ratio currently stands at 132.65%.
Analyst Ratings and Insights
Multiple brokerages have recently provided insights on Murphy Oil’s stock. Roth Capital reiterated a “neutral” rating with a target price of $25.00, while Evercore ISI reduced their target from $23.00 to $22.00, maintaining an “in-line” rating. Wall Street Zen downgraded Murphy Oil from a “hold” to a “sell” rating, reflecting a cautious outlook. On the other hand, UBS Group raised their target price from $24.00 to $27.00, also rating the stock as “neutral.” Scotiabank adjusted their target price upward from $26.00 to $30.00, giving the company a “sector perform” rating.
Currently, thirteen analysts have assigned a “hold” rating to Murphy Oil, while two analysts have issued a “sell” rating. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the consensus rating for Murphy Oil is “Reduce,” with an average target price of $28.50.
Murphy Oil Corporation operates as an oil and gas exploration and production company across the United States, Canada, and internationally. The firm specializes in the exploration and production of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids. Originally known as Murphy Corporation, the company adopted the name Murphy Oil Corporation in 1964.
For further insights on institutional holdings in Murphy Oil, interested parties can visit HoldingsChannel.com to access the latest 13F filings and insider trades.
