Bae Systems (OTCMKTS:BAESY) Shares Gap Up - Should You Buy?

Key Points

• Bae Systems shares saw a significant increase, opening at $104.24 after closing at $100.20, reflecting a growing interest from investors.
• Recent analyst ratings show a mixed sentiment with Bank of America upgrading Bae Systems to a "buy" while Kepler Capital Markets downgraded it to a "reduce," resulting in a consensus rating of "Hold."
• Institutional investors have increased their positions in Bae Systems significantly, with First Horizon Advisors Inc. growing their stake by 49.4% in the first quarter.

Bae Systems PLC (OTCMKTS:BAESY - Get Free Report) shares gapped up prior to trading on Thursday . The stock had previously closed at $100.20, but opened at $104.24. Bae Systems shares last traded at $104.69, with a volume of 31,276 shares trading hands.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have weighed in on BAESY. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of Bae Systems from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, August 1st. Bank of America upgraded shares of Bae Systems from an "underperform" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 10th. Finally, Kepler Capital Markets cut shares of Bae Systems from a "hold" rating to a "reduce" rating in a research report on Monday, July 7th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Hold".

Bae Systems Stock Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The stock's 50 day simple moving average is $98.64 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $95.48.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Rhumbline Advisers lifted its stake in Bae Systems by 2.9% in the second quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 5,643 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $593,000 after buying an additional 158 shares in the last quarter. RNC Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Bae Systems by 2.1% in the first quarter. RNC Capital Management LLC now owns 8,303 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $683,000 after purchasing an additional 168 shares in the last quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. lifted its position in shares of Bae Systems by 49.4% in the first quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 620 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $51,000 after purchasing an additional 205 shares in the last quarter. Confluence Investment Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Bae Systems by 3.9% in the second quarter. Confluence Investment Management LLC now owns 11,413 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $1,199,000 after purchasing an additional 427 shares in the last quarter. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its position in shares of Bae Systems by 26.0% in the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,260 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $186,000 after purchasing an additional 466 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 0.21% of the company's stock.

Bae Systems Company Profile

BAE Systems plc provides defense, aerospace, and security solutions worldwide. The company operates through five segments: Electronic Systems, Platforms & Services, Air, Maritime, and Cyber & Intelligence. The Electronic Systems segment offers electronic warfare systems, navigation systems, electro-optical sensors, military and commercial digital engine and flight controls, precision guidance and seeker solutions, military communication systems and data links, persistent surveillance capabilities, space electronics, and electric drive propulsion systems.