Simon Quick Advisors LLC Boosts Stake in General Dynamics Co. (NYSE:GD)

Simon Quick Advisors LLC boosted its stake in General Dynamics Co. (NYSE:GD - Free Report) by 170.0% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 2,408 shares of the aerospace company's stock after purchasing an additional 1,516 shares during the period. Simon Quick Advisors LLC's holdings in General Dynamics were worth $656,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Thrive Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in General Dynamics by 2.1% in the 1st quarter. Thrive Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,002 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $546,000 after purchasing an additional 41 shares during the period. Austin Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in shares of General Dynamics by 5.4% during the fourth quarter. Austin Wealth Management LLC now owns 826 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $220,000 after buying an additional 42 shares during the period. SRS Capital Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of General Dynamics by 35.8% during the fourth quarter. SRS Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 163 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $43,000 after buying an additional 43 shares during the period. Stokes Family Office LLC increased its stake in shares of General Dynamics by 0.4% during the fourth quarter. Stokes Family Office LLC now owns 10,279 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $2,708,000 after buying an additional 43 shares during the period. Finally, ICW Investment Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of General Dynamics by 0.5% during the fourth quarter. ICW Investment Advisors LLC now owns 8,491 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $2,237,000 after buying an additional 43 shares during the period. 86.14% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

General Dynamics Stock Up 1.1%

General Dynamics stock traded up $3.02 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $282.95. The company had a trading volume of 1,649,124 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,387,727. The company has a current ratio of 1.37, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $274.62 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $266.52. General Dynamics Co. has a 12 month low of $239.20 and a 12 month high of $316.90. The company has a market capitalization of $75.94 billion, a PE ratio of 20.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 0.46.

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

General Dynamics Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 8th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 3rd will be paid a $1.50 dividend. This represents a $6.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.12%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 3rd. General Dynamics's dividend payout ratio is currently 41.61%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Susquehanna boosted their target price on General Dynamics from $300.00 to $315.00 and gave the company a "positive" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 2nd. Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on General Dynamics from $305.00 to $300.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 24th. Citigroup reduced their target price on General Dynamics from $335.00 to $330.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 10th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on General Dynamics from $261.00 to $236.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 8th. Finally, Cowen reissued a "buy" rating on shares of General Dynamics in a research note on Thursday, April 24th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have issued a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $293.00.

General Dynamics Company 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.