Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) Shares Down 1% – Should You Sell?

Lockheed Martin Co. (NYSE:LMT) shares fell 1% during trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $453.58 and last traded at $458.33. 318,727 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 77% from the average session volume of 1,392,736 shares. The stock had previously closed at $462.95.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the company. StockNews.com downgraded Lockheed Martin from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday. Citigroup decreased their price objective on Lockheed Martin from $700.00 to $600.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, January 21st. UBS Group lowered their price objective on Lockheed Martin from $527.00 to $508.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 29th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on shares of Lockheed Martin from $555.00 to $525.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 29th. Finally, Barclays lowered their price target on shares of Lockheed Martin from $565.00 to $515.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $555.60.

Lockheed Martin Stock Down 1.5 %

The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $492.29 and its 200-day simple moving average is $537.32. The company has a current ratio of 1.13, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.10. The firm has a market cap of $107.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.48, a PEG ratio of 2.96 and a beta of 0.48.

Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 28th. The aerospace company reported $7.67 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $6.58 by $1.09. Lockheed Martin had a net margin of 7.51% and a return on equity of 101.47%. Research analysts forecast that Lockheed Martin Co. will post 27.29 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Lockheed Martin Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 28th. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd will be issued a $3.30 dividend. This represents a $13.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.90%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 3rd. Lockheed Martin’s payout ratio is currently 59.30%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Greystone Financial Group LLC lifted its stake in shares of Lockheed Martin by 15.1% in the 4th quarter. Greystone Financial Group LLC now owns 29,025 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $14,104,000 after purchasing an additional 3,816 shares during the period. Eubel Brady & Suttman Asset Management Inc. increased its holdings in Lockheed Martin by 0.5% during the fourth quarter. Eubel Brady & Suttman Asset Management Inc. now owns 37,177 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $18,066,000 after buying an additional 191 shares during the last quarter. Hudson Edge Investment Partners Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Lockheed Martin by 17.5% during the 4th quarter. Hudson Edge Investment Partners Inc. now owns 13,280 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $6,453,000 after acquiring an additional 1,981 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Stockton grew its position in shares of Lockheed Martin by 31.8% during the 4th quarter. Bank of Stockton now owns 838 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $407,000 after acquiring an additional 202 shares during the period. Finally, Transcend Capital Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Lockheed Martin by 6.0% in the 4th quarter. Transcend Capital Advisors LLC now owns 1,719 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $835,000 after purchasing an additional 98 shares in the last quarter. 74.19% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Lockheed Martin Company Profile

Lockheed Martin Corporation, a security and aerospace company, engages in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of technology systems, products, and services worldwide. The company operates through Aeronautics, Missiles and Fire Control, Rotary and Mission Systems, and Space segments.