HighTower Advisors LLC Has $5.08 Million Position in Elbit Systems Ltd. $ESLT

Key Points

• HighTower Advisors LLC more than doubled its stake in Elbit Systems in the fourth quarter, increasing holdings by 101.9% to 8,807 shares valued at about $5.08 million.
• Elbit Systems received a $350 million contract to upgrade Main Battle Tanks for an international customer, reinforcing demand for its defense technology and improving near-term revenue visibility.
• The company continues to show strong operating momentum, with Q1 earnings and revenue beating estimates and analysts pointing to a record backlog, though some commentary says the stock’s valuation remains stretched after its rally.

HighTower Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT - Free Report) by 101.9% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 8,807 shares of the aerospace company's stock after acquiring an additional 4,444 shares during the quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC's holdings in Elbit Systems were worth $5,084,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of ESLT. NewEdge Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Elbit Systems during the fourth quarter worth $240,000. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Elbit Systems by 8.5% during the fourth quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 17,235 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $10,202,000 after purchasing an additional 1,357 shares during the last quarter. Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Elbit Systems by 709.3% during the fourth quarter. Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. now owns 88,075 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $50,948,000 after purchasing an additional 77,192 shares during the last quarter. Total Clarity Wealth Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Elbit Systems during the fourth quarter worth $851,000. Finally, Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Elbit Systems by 23.2% during the fourth quarter. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. now owns 1,838 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $1,062,000 after purchasing an additional 346 shares during the last quarter. 17.88% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Elbit Systems News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Elbit Systems this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Elbit Systems won a $350 million contract to upgrade Main Battle Tanks for an international customer, boosting near-term revenue visibility and underscoring continued demand for its defense technology. Elbit Systems Awarded a $350 Million Contract for Tank Upgrades from an International Customer
• Positive Sentiment: JPMorgan raised its price target on ESLT to $950 from $930 while keeping a neutral rating, signaling that analysts still see additional upside after the company’s strong run. Benzinga
• Positive Sentiment: Recent analysis of Elbit’s Q1 call highlighted record backlog, strong European demand, and production expansion, which supports expectations for continued growth and additional contract wins. ESLT Q1 Earnings Call Points to a Bigger Europe Push
• Neutral Sentiment: Coverage on drone technology and aerospace stocks kept ESLT in the spotlight, but these pieces were mostly industry comparisons rather than new company-specific catalysts. 3 Drone Tech Stocks to Watch Amid Accelerated Adoption Trends Are Aerospace Stocks Lagging Elbit Systems (ESLT) This Year?
• Neutral Sentiment: Elbit’s unit reportedly bought an Israeli AI company, a potentially strategic move, but the article provided limited financial details so the market impact is unclear. Elbit Systems unit buys Israeli AI company
• Neutral Sentiment: Short interest data was reported as effectively unchanged/invalid, so it does not appear to be a meaningful driver of the stock today.
• Negative Sentiment: Some commentary on the stock’s valuation suggested ESLT remains expensive after a strong rally, which could limit upside if growth or margins slow. Elbit Systems: Strong Q1, But Valuation Still Looks Stretched

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have recently commented on ESLT shares. Jefferies Financial Group restated a "hold" rating and set a $950.00 target price on shares of Elbit Systems in a report on Wednesday. Zacks Research upgraded Elbit Systems from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Monday, April 13th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on Elbit Systems from $930.00 to $950.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have given a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $742.75.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP Haim Daniel Delmar sold 7,654 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated 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 legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Jonathan Ariel sold 7,654 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, April 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $887.40, for a total value of $6,792,159.60. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 69,736 shares of company stock valued at $61,883,726 over the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.84% of the company's stock.

Elbit Systems Price Performance

Shares of ESLT stock opened at $892.63 on Friday. The stock's fifty day moving average is $853.66 and its 200-day moving average is $718.59. The stock has a market capitalization of $39.68 billion, a PE ratio of 72.28, a PEG ratio of 3.48 and a beta of 0.14. Elbit Systems Ltd. has a 52 week low of $394.00 and a 52 week high of $1,016.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06, a quick ratio of 0.77 and a current ratio of 1.41.

Elbit Systems (NASDAQ:ESLT - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 26th. The aerospace company reported $3.87 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.98 by $0.89. The business had revenue of $2.19 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $2.14 billion. Elbit Systems had a return on equity of 16.15% and a net margin of 7.14%. Equities research analysts expect that Elbit Systems Ltd. will post 15.47 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Elbit Systems Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 6th. Investors of record on Tuesday, June 23rd will be issued a $1.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, June 23rd. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.4%. Elbit Systems's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 29.31%.

About Elbit Systems

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.

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ESLT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT - 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.