Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (NASDAQ:KTOS) Shares Down 2.9% – What’s Next?

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:KTOS) shares traded down 2.9% during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $69.80 and last traded at $71.96. 2,824,371 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 35% from the average session volume of 4,375,090 shares. The stock had previously closed at $74.09.

Key Kratos Defense & Security Solutions News

Here are the key news stories impacting Kratos Defense & Security Solutions this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Jefferies upgraded KTOS from Hold to Buy and kept an $85 price target, citing hypersonics and missile-demand upside; the upgrade sparked strong intraday buying. Jefferies upgrades Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (KTOS)
• Positive Sentiment: Kratos was awarded a contract by the Naval Surface Warfare Center to produce and supply Oriole solid rocket motors (up to 36 motors and associated hardware), strengthening its missile/rocket supply pipeline. Kratos (KTOS) Awarded New Contracts by Naval Surface Warfare Centre
• Positive Sentiment: Kratos partnered with SKY Perfect JSAT to develop a 5G NTN (non-terrestrial network) satellite ground system, expanding its addressable market in satellite communications and 5G infrastructure. Kratos joins SKY Perfect JSAT to develop 5G NTN satellite ground system
• Neutral Sentiment: Industry coverage: Zacks and other outlets list KTOS among top drone/robotics stocks to watch, which can boost visibility but doesn’t guarantee near-term revenue changes. Top Drone Tech Stocks to Keep an Eye on for Strong Returns
• Negative Sentiment: Insider sales: the CFO sold ~$348K and a director sold ~$2.17M in KTOS stock recently — moves that can pressure sentiment or raise governance questions even if routine. CFO Sells $348,150.00 in Stock Director Sells $2,171,295.00 in Stock

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on KTOS shares. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. Citizens Jmp raised their target price on shares of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions from $105.00 to $125.00 and gave the company a “market outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, January 12th. KeyCorp raised their target price on shares of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions from $90.00 to $130.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $85.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Monday. Finally, Citigroup reiterated a “market outperform” rating on shares of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions in a research note on Tuesday, February 24th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have given a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $98.28.

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Stock Down 2.9%

The business’s fifty day moving average price is $88.90 and its 200 day moving average price is $87.97. The company has a market capitalization of $13.48 billion, a P/E ratio of 553.58 and a beta of 1.22. The company has a current ratio of 4.06, a quick ratio of 3.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05.

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (NASDAQ:KTOS) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 23rd. The aerospace company reported $0.18 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.14 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $345.10 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $327.51 million. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions had a net margin of 1.63% and a return on equity of 3.34%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 21.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.13 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. will post 0.31 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at Kratos Defense & Security Solutions

In other news, Director William A. Hoglund sold 30,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, April 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.19, for a total transaction of $2,171,295.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 252,500 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $17,975,475. This trade represents a 10.78% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, Director Scott I. Anderson sold 15,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $89.11, for a total transaction of $1,336,650.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 51,334 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,574,372.74. The trade was a 22.61% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 211,000 shares of company stock worth $19,390,027 in the last ninety days. Company insiders own 2.37% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Kratos Defense & Security Solutions

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Mcguire Capital Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in Kratos Defense & Security Solutions in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp increased its position in Kratos Defense & Security Solutions by 7,600.0% in the 4th quarter. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp now owns 385 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 380 shares in the last quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. acquired a new stake in Kratos Defense & Security Solutions in the 2nd quarter valued at about $31,000. Bayforest Capital Ltd acquired a new stake in Kratos Defense & Security Solutions in the 3rd quarter valued at about $32,000. Finally, Caitlin John LLC acquired a new stake in Kratos Defense & Security Solutions in the 3rd quarter valued at about $32,000. 75.92% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Company Profile

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc (NASDAQ: KTOS) is a technology-driven company that specializes in national security and defense solutions for government and military customers. The firm’s core capabilities span unmanned systems, satellite communications, missile defense, cyber security, and directed-energy weapons. Through its integrated approach, Kratos delivers mission-critical products and services designed to enhance operational readiness and support force modernization initiatives.

In the unmanned systems arena, Kratos develops high-performance aerial platforms used as target drones, low-cost attritable aircraft and experimental stealth demonstrators.