Elbit Systems (NASDAQ:ESLT) Stock Crosses Above 200 Day Moving Average - Time to Sell?

Key Points

• Elbit Systems crossed above its 200‑day moving average (200‑day = $671.78), trading as high as $823.78 and last at $819.65, while the 50‑day moving average remains higher at $863.11.
• Analyst sentiment has shifted up—Wall Street Zen, Zacks and Weiss raised ratings and JPMorgan boosted its price target to $930 (still "neutral"), with MarketBeat showing a consensus "Moderate Buy" and an average target of $667.
• Mixed fundamental and insider signals: the company beat quarterly EPS and revenue estimates and raised its quarterly dividend to $1.00, but insiders sold about $61.9 million of stock in the last quarter.

Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT - Get Free Report) shares passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $671.78 and traded as high as $823.78. Elbit Systems shares last traded at $819.65, with a volume of 104,853 shares traded.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have issued reports on ESLT. Wall Street Zen raised Elbit Systems from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Saturday, January 17th. Zacks Research raised Elbit Systems from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Monday, April 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on Elbit Systems from $580.00 to $930.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Monday, April 13th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a "buy (b)" rating on shares of Elbit Systems in a report on Monday, December 29th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have issued a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Elbit Systems currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $667.00.

Elbit Systems Stock Down 0.3%

The business has a 50-day moving average price of $863.11 and a 200 day moving average price of $671.78. The stock has a market capitalization of $36.43 billion, a P/E ratio of 72.15, a P/E/G ratio of 3.45 and a beta of 0.16. The company has a current ratio of 1.29, a quick ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06.

Elbit Systems (NASDAQ:ESLT - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, March 17th. The aerospace company reported $3.56 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $3.23 by $0.33. Elbit Systems had a net margin of 6.73% and a return on equity of 15.53%. The company had revenue of $2.15 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.09 billion. On average, equities analysts expect that Elbit Systems Ltd. will post 15.47 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Elbit Systems Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, April 27th. Investors of record on Monday, April 13th were issued a $1.00 dividend. This represents a $4.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, April 13th. This is a positive change from Elbit Systems's previous quarterly dividend of $0.75. Elbit Systems's payout ratio is 29.31%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, EVP Yoram Shmuely sold 7,654 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, April 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $887.40, for a total value of $6,792,159.60. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Bezhalel Machlis sold 25,514 shares of Elbit Systems stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, April 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $887.40, for a total value of $22,641,123.60. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold a total of 69,736 shares of company stock valued at $61,883,726 in the last quarter. 0.84% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Elbit Systems

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. CoreCap Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Elbit Systems during the fourth quarter worth $26,000. Financial Consulate Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Elbit Systems in the third quarter valued at $60,000. Leonteq Securities AG bought a new stake in shares of Elbit Systems in the 4th quarter worth about $68,000. Hilton Head Capital Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Elbit Systems in the 4th quarter worth about $69,000. Finally, Wexford Capital LP purchased a new position in shares of Elbit Systems during the 3rd quarter worth about $63,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 17.88% of the company's stock.

Elbit Systems Company Profile

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.

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