First Trust Advisors LP Acquires 41,085 Shares of Walker & Dunlop, Inc. $WD

First Trust Advisors LP increased its holdings in shares of Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (NYSE:WD) by 131.1% in the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 72,429 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 41,085 shares during the period. First Trust Advisors LP’s holdings in Walker & Dunlop were worth $3,214,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in WD. Deprince Race & Zollo Inc. grew its holdings in Walker & Dunlop by 59.9% during the 4th quarter. Deprince Race & Zollo Inc. now owns 859,072 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $51,673,000 after buying an additional 321,734 shares in the last quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. purchased a new position in shares of Walker & Dunlop in the second quarter worth $15,147,000. Two Sigma Investments LP lifted its holdings in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 238.2% in the third quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 284,067 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $23,754,000 after buying an additional 200,074 shares in the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 568.4% in the fourth quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 181,627 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $10,925,000 after buying an additional 154,455 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Squarepoint Ops LLC bought a new position in shares of Walker & Dunlop during the fourth quarter worth $8,526,000. 80.97% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Walker & Dunlop Trading Down 13.9%

Walker & Dunlop stock opened at $44.24 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $50.88 and a 200-day moving average price of $52.20. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.52 billion, a PE ratio of 21.90 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.

Walker & Dunlop (NYSE:WD) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 6th. The financial services provider reported $1.19 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.90 by $0.29. The company had revenue of $306.69 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $337.37 million. Walker & Dunlop had a net margin of 5.29% and a return on equity of 7.18%. The firm’s revenue was down 3.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.15 EPS.

Walker & Dunlop Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 3rd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 20th will be given a dividend of $0.68 per share. This represents a $2.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.1%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 20th. Walker & Dunlop’s payout ratio is 134.65%.

Key Headlines Impacting Walker & Dunlop

Here are the key news stories impacting Walker & Dunlop this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Walker & Dunlop reported second-quarter EPS of $1.19, surpassing the analyst consensus of $0.90 and increasing from $1.15 in the year-ago quarter. The earnings beat indicates better-than-expected profitability for the period. Walker & Dunlop Q2 Earnings Snapshot
• Positive Sentiment: The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.68 per share, payable September 3 to shareholders of record on August 20. The dividend supports the stock’s income appeal, with an indicated annualized yield of approximately 6.1%. Walker & Dunlop dividend and stock information
• Neutral Sentiment: Management discussed global markets, policy trends and leadership matters during the earnings call. Investors are likely focusing on management’s commentary for indications of future transaction activity and operating conditions. Walker & Dunlop Q2 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
• Negative Sentiment: Second-quarter revenue was $306.69 million, missing the $337.37 million consensus estimate by roughly 9% and falling 3.9% year over year. The sales shortfall outweighed the EPS beat for investors because it points to softer business volume and limits confidence in near-term growth. Walker Dunlop misses Q2 sales expectations

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms recently weighed in on WD. Stephens started coverage on shares of Walker & Dunlop in a research note on Thursday, April 23rd. They set an “overweight” rating and a $69.00 target price for the company. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Walker & Dunlop from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, May 9th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price objective on shares of Walker & Dunlop from $65.00 to $67.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, May 8th. Finally, Weiss Ratings upgraded Walker & Dunlop from a “sell (d+)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a research report on Tuesday. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Walker & Dunlop currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $79.20.

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.