Woodline Partners LP Takes Position in General Dynamics Co. (NYSE:GD)

Woodline Partners LP bought a new position in shares of General Dynamics Co. (NYSE:GD - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 921 shares of the aerospace company's stock, valued at approximately $243,000.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Financial Life Planners purchased a new stake in shares of General Dynamics in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Whipplewood Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of General Dynamics in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of General Dynamics in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Heck Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of General Dynamics in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, Hoey Investments Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of General Dynamics in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $28,000. 86.14% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

General Dynamics Stock Performance

NYSE:GD traded up $1.63 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $275.27. 992,225 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,376,670. The firm has a market capitalization of $73.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.18, a P/E/G ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 0.49. The company has a 50-day moving average of $271.84 and a 200 day moving average of $267.79. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 1.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. General Dynamics Co. has a 1-year low of $239.20 and a 1-year high of $316.90.

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 net margin of 7.93% and a return on equity of 17.10%. The company had revenue of $12.22 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $11.92 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.88 EPS. The business's revenue was up 13.9% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts anticipate that General Dynamics Co. will post 14.83 EPS for the current year.

General Dynamics Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 11th were paid a $1.50 dividend. This represents a $6.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.18%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, April 11th. This is a boost from General Dynamics's previous quarterly dividend of $1.42. General Dynamics's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 41.61%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on GD shares. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on shares of General Dynamics from $305.00 to $300.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Susquehanna upped their target price on shares of General Dynamics from $300.00 to $315.00 and gave the company a "positive" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 2nd. Cowen restated a "buy" rating on shares of General Dynamics in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Barclays lowered their target price on shares of General Dynamics from $305.00 to $285.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of General Dynamics from $261.00 to $236.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have assigned a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $293.00.

Insider Transactions at General Dynamics

In other news, SVP Marguerite Amy Gilliland sold 27,562 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $272.11, for a total value of $7,499,895.82. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 45,192 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,297,195.12. This trade represents a 37.88% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 1.50% of the company's stock.

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.