General Dynamics Co. (NYSE:GD) Given Average Recommendation of "Hold" by Analysts

General Dynamics Co. (NYSE:GD - Get Free Report) has received an average recommendation of "Hold" from the twenty-two analysts that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have issued a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price target among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $293.00.

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their target price on shares of General Dynamics from $290.00 to $280.00 and set a "sector perform" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on shares of General Dynamics from $307.00 to $284.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 30th. Argus set a $295.00 target price on shares of General Dynamics in a report on Tuesday, May 6th. Cowen restated a "buy" rating on shares of General Dynamics in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Finally, Susquehanna upped their price objective on shares of General Dynamics from $300.00 to $315.00 and gave the stock a "positive" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 2nd.

Insider Buying and Selling at General Dynamics

In related news, SVP Marguerite Amy Gilliland sold 27,562 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $272.11, for a total transaction of $7,499,895.82. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 45,192 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,297,195.12. This represents a 37.88% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 1.50% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of General Dynamics

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Financial Life Planners purchased a new stake in General Dynamics in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Rialto Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in General Dynamics by 213.8% in the 1st quarter. Rialto Wealth Management LLC now owns 91 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares in the last quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in General Dynamics in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services LLC purchased a new stake in General Dynamics in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Finally, Inlight Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in General Dynamics in the 1st quarter worth approximately $26,000. 86.14% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

General Dynamics Stock Up 1.7%

GD traded up $4.55 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $279.30. The company had a trading volume of 1,052,627 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,374,962. General Dynamics has a 52 week low of $239.20 and a 52 week high of $316.90. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 1.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. The company has a market capitalization of $74.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.48, a PEG ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 0.49. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $271.35 and its 200 day moving average price is $267.67.

General Dynamics (NYSE:GD - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The aerospace company reported $3.66 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates 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 for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.92 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.88 EPS. The firm's revenue was up 13.9% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts anticipate that General Dynamics will post 14.83 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

General Dynamics Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 9th. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 11th were paid a $1.50 dividend. This represents a $6.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.15%. This is a boost from General Dynamics's previous quarterly dividend of $1.42. The ex-dividend date was Friday, April 11th. General Dynamics's payout ratio is presently 41.61%.

About General Dynamics

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.