General Dynamics Corporation $GD Stock Holdings Decreased by Willis Investment Counsel

Key Points

• Willis Investment Counsel reduced its General Dynamics stake by 22.6% in the third quarter, selling 15,000 shares and retaining 51,500 shares valued at approximately $17.1 million. Institutional investors collectively own 86.14% of GD.
• General Dynamics reported quarterly adjusted earnings of $4.24 per share and revenue of $14.09 billion, exceeding analyst estimates; revenue increased 8.1% year over year. The company also declared a quarterly dividend of $1.59 per share, equivalent to a 1.9% yield.
• Analysts maintain a generally positive outlook, with the stock receiving a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average price target of $402.32, while GD recently traded at $342.58.

Willis Investment Counsel lowered its stake in shares of General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD - Free Report) by 22.6% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 51,500 shares of the aerospace company's stock after selling 15,000 shares during the quarter. Willis Investment Counsel's holdings in General Dynamics were worth $17,089,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Whipplewood Advisors LLC raised its holdings in General Dynamics by 1,725.0% in the first quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 73 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 69 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Altus USA Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of General Dynamics by 77.8% in the 2nd quarter. Wellington Altus USA Inc. now owns 80 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 35 shares in the last quarter. Downshift Financial LLC boosted its holdings in shares of General Dynamics by 134.3% in the 3rd quarter. Downshift Financial LLC now owns 82 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 47 shares in the last quarter. Scarborough Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of General Dynamics in the 1st quarter worth approximately $29,000. Finally, Wilkerson Advisory Group LLC grew its position in shares of General Dynamics by 79.6% in the 1st quarter. Wilkerson Advisory Group LLC now owns 88 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 39 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.14% of the company's stock.

General Dynamics Stock Up 0.3%

Shares of GD traded up $1.15 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $342.58. 359,483 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,292,329. The company has a market capitalization of $92.69 billion, a PE ratio of 20.91, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.99 and a beta of 0.33. The company has a quick ratio of 0.96, a current ratio of 1.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23. The business has a 50 day moving average of $357.41 and a 200 day moving average of $355.10. General Dynamics Corporation has a 1-year low of $306.77 and a 1-year high of $400.00.

General Dynamics (NYSE:GD - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The aerospace company reported $4.24 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $3.96 by $0.28. The company had revenue of $14.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $13.52 billion. General Dynamics had a net margin of 8.18% and a return on equity of 17.43%. General Dynamics's revenue for the quarter was up 8.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $3.74 EPS. General Dynamics has set its FY 2026 guidance at 16.800-16.900 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that General Dynamics Corporation will post 16.98 EPS for the current year.

General Dynamics Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 9th will be issued a $1.59 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 9th. This represents a $6.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.9%. General Dynamics's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 38.80%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

GD has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on shares of General Dynamics from $400.00 to $440.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 4th. Susquehanna lifted their price target on shares of General Dynamics from $420.00 to $455.00 and gave the stock a "positive" rating in a report on Thursday, July 30th. Bank of America upped their price target on General Dynamics from $400.00 to $415.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, July 6th. BNP Paribas Exane increased their price objective on General Dynamics from $390.00 to $430.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Thursday, July 30th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a "buy (b)" rating on shares of General Dynamics in a research report on Monday, September 28th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $402.32.

Insider Transactions at General Dynamics

In other news, Director Robert K. Steel sold 7,440 shares of General Dynamics stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $346.05, for a total transaction of $2,574,612.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 3,096 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,071,370.80. The trade was a 70.62% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Marguerite Gilliland sold 43,180 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Friday, July 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $378.04, for a total transaction of $16,323,767.20. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 44,767 shares in the company, valued at $16,923,716.68. This trade represents a 49.10% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 102,188 shares of company stock worth $38,627,265. Company insiders own 1.40% of the company's stock.

About General Dynamics

General Dynamics Corporation NYSE: GD is a global aerospace and defense company that develops, manufactures and supports products and services for government and commercial customers. Its operations serve the U.S. government, allied nations and other customers worldwide, with a significant focus on national security, military modernization and mission support.

The company operates through four primary business areas. Aerospace provides Gulfstream business jets and related aircraft services through Gulfstream Aerospace, as well as aircraft management, charter, maintenance and completions services through Jet Aviation.

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD - Free Report).

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.