Ames National Corp Acquires Shares of 2,747 General Dynamics Co. (NYSE:GD)

Ames National Corp bought a new stake in General Dynamics Co. (NYSE:GD - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 2,747 shares of the aerospace company's stock, valued at approximately $724,000.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Financial Life Planners bought a new position in General Dynamics in the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Whipplewood Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of General Dynamics during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services LLC bought a new position in shares of General Dynamics during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Sugar Maple Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in General Dynamics in the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. Finally, Heck Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in General Dynamics in the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.14% of the company's stock.

General Dynamics Stock Up 0.0%

NYSE:GD opened at $281.38 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 1.37 and a quick ratio of 0.82. General Dynamics Co. has a one year low of $239.20 and a one year high of $316.90. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $270.53 and its 200 day simple moving average is $268.66. The company has a market cap of $75.52 billion, a PE ratio of 20.63, a P/E/G ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 0.49.

General Dynamics (NYSE:GD - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The aerospace company reported $3.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.43 by $0.23. The firm had revenue of $12.22 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.92 billion. General Dynamics had a net margin of 7.93% and a return on equity of 17.10%. The company's revenue was up 13.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.88 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that General Dynamics Co. will post 14.83 earnings per share for the current year.

General Dynamics Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 9th. Investors of record on Friday, April 11th were given a $1.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, April 11th. This represents a $6.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.13%. This is an increase from General Dynamics's previous quarterly dividend of $1.42. General Dynamics's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 41.61%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have issued reports on the stock. BTIG Research lowered shares of General Dynamics from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Susquehanna lifted their target price on shares of General Dynamics from $300.00 to $315.00 and gave the company a "positive" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on shares of General Dynamics from $307.00 to $284.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 30th. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their target price on shares of General Dynamics from $290.00 to $280.00 and set a "sector perform" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 30th. Finally, Argus set a $295.00 target price on shares of General Dynamics in a research report on Tuesday, May 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have given a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $293.00.

Insider Activity at General Dynamics

In other General Dynamics news, SVP Marguerite Amy Gilliland sold 27,562 shares of General Dynamics stock in a transaction on Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $272.11, for a total transaction of $7,499,895.82. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 45,192 shares of the company's stock, valued at $12,297,195.12. The trade was a 37.88% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 1.50% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

General Dynamics Profile

General Dynamics Corporation operates as an aerospace and defense company worldwide. It operates through four segments: Aerospace, Marine Systems, Combat Systems, and Technologies. The Aerospace segment produces and sells business jets; and offers aircraft maintenance and repair, management, aircraft-on-ground support and completion, charter, staffing, and fixed-base operator services.

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