Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT) Short Interest Update

Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totaling 177,836 shares, an increase of 64.0% from the December 31st total of 108,462 shares. Approximately 0.4% of the company’s stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 150,843 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.2 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 150,843 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.2 days. Approximately 0.4% of the company’s stock are sold short.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Elbit Systems from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, January 17th. Zacks Research lowered Elbit Systems from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Elbit Systems from $530.00 to $580.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, December 19th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Elbit Systems in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Morgan Stanley began coverage on Elbit Systems in a report on Thursday, December 11th. They issued an “equal weight” rating and a $531.00 price objective on the stock. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $550.33.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Elbit Systems

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Cardinal Capital Management boosted its stake in Elbit Systems by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. Cardinal Capital Management now owns 7,889 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $4,558,000 after purchasing an additional 20 shares during the period. Assetmark Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Elbit Systems by 11.2% during the second quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 209 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $94,000 after buying an additional 21 shares during the last quarter. SteelPeak Wealth LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Elbit Systems by 1.1% during the third quarter. SteelPeak Wealth LLC now owns 1,864 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $950,000 after buying an additional 21 shares during the last quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Elbit Systems by 2.5% in the third quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 1,193 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $608,000 after acquiring an additional 29 shares during the period. Finally, Greenleaf Trust grew its stake in shares of Elbit Systems by 7.1% in the fourth quarter. Greenleaf Trust now owns 466 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $269,000 after acquiring an additional 31 shares during the last quarter. 17.88% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Elbit Systems Stock Performance

Elbit Systems stock traded down $19.21 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $702.57. 111,816 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 129,987. Elbit Systems has a 12 month low of $294.99 and a 12 month high of $740.67. The company has a current ratio of 1.32, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $594.84 and a 200 day moving average of $520.65. The firm has a market cap of $31.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 71.40, a PEG ratio of 2.13 and a beta of 0.22.

Elbit Systems (NASDAQ:ESLT) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 18th. The aerospace company reported $3.35 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.75 by $0.60. The business had revenue of $1.92 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.99 billion. Elbit Systems had a net margin of 5.91% and a return on equity of 15.04%. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Elbit Systems will post 8.05 earnings per share for the current year.

Elbit Systems Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, January 5th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 22nd were issued a dividend of $0.75 per share. This represents a $3.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.4%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 22nd. Elbit Systems’s dividend payout ratio is 22.87%.

About Elbit Systems

Elbit Systems Ltd. is an Israel-based defense electronics company that designs, develops and supplies a broad range of systems for military, homeland security and commercial aviation customers. The company focuses on integrated, platform-level solutions that combine sensors, communications, command-and-control software and weapons integration to support intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), force protection and mission management.

Its product and service portfolio spans unmanned aircraft systems, electro-optic and signal intelligence systems, electronic warfare and communications equipment, avionics and mission systems for military and commercial aircraft, and land and naval systems.