First Trust Advisors LP Makes New Investment in Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT)

First Trust Advisors LP acquired a new stake in shares of Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 2,946 shares of the aerospace company's stock, valued at approximately $761,000.

A number of other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB acquired a new position in shares of Elbit Systems in the 3rd quarter valued at about $63,000. Clarius Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Elbit Systems in the fourth quarter worth approximately $259,000. Blue Trust Inc. grew its stake in Elbit Systems by 7.3% during the 4th quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 987 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $255,000 after acquiring an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. Y.D. More Investments Ltd boosted its holdings in shares of Elbit Systems by 10.1% during the 4th quarter. Y.D. More Investments Ltd now owns 449,747 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $117,520,000 after purchasing an additional 41,401 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. purchased a new stake in Elbit Systems in the 4th quarter valued at $590,000. Institutional investors own 17.88% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, StockNews.com lowered shares of Elbit Systems from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 25th.

Elbit Systems Trading Down 1.2%

Shares of NASDAQ:ESLT traded down $4.75 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $376.76. 28,674 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 70,340. Elbit Systems Ltd. has a 1 year low of $175.30 and a 1 year high of $426.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10, a current ratio of 1.15 and a quick ratio of 0.64. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $389.28 and its 200 day simple moving average is $313.01. The firm has a market cap of $16.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 64.24 and a beta of 0.31.

Elbit Systems (NASDAQ:ESLT - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, March 18th. The aerospace company reported $2.66 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.95 by $0.71. The business had revenue of $1.93 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.78 billion. Elbit Systems had a return on equity of 11.34% and a net margin of 4.00%. Equities research analysts forecast that Elbit Systems Ltd. will post 8.05 EPS for the current year.

Elbit Systems Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, May 5th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, April 22nd were issued a $0.60 dividend. This is an increase from Elbit Systems's previous quarterly dividend of $0.50. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.64%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, April 22nd. Elbit Systems's dividend payout ratio is presently 27.72%.

Elbit Systems Company Profile

Elbit Systems Ltd. develops and supplies a portfolio of airborne, land, and naval systems and products for the defense, homeland security, and commercial aviation applications primarily in Israel. The company operates through Aerospace, C4I and Cyber, ISTAR and EW, Land, and Elbit Systems of America segments.