Investors Buy High Volume of Call Options on Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT)

Lockheed Martin Co. (NYSE:LMT - Get Free Report) saw unusually large options trading on Friday. Stock investors purchased 21,571 call options on the company. This represents an increase of 111% compared to the average daily volume of 10,233 call options.

Lockheed Martin Price Performance

Shares of Lockheed Martin stock traded up $16.49 on Friday, reaching $485.76. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,894,999 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,316,621. The company has a market capitalization of $113.81 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.80, a PEG ratio of 2.07 and a beta of 0.29. Lockheed Martin has a 52-week low of $418.88 and a 52-week high of $618.95. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $469.84 and a 200-day moving average price of $470.67. The company has a quick ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.10.

Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 22nd. The aerospace company reported $7.28 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $6.34 by $0.94. Lockheed Martin had a return on equity of 101.47% and a net margin of 7.51%. The business had revenue of $17.96 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $17.83 billion. Analysts expect that Lockheed Martin will post 27.15 EPS for the current year.

Lockheed Martin Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 27th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 2nd will be issued a $3.30 dividend. This represents a $13.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.72%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 2nd. Lockheed Martin's payout ratio is currently 57.02%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts recently issued reports on LMT shares. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on Lockheed Martin from $476.00 to $432.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 8th. Wall Street Zen lowered Lockheed Martin from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Saturday, May 3rd. Jefferies Financial Group cut their target price on Lockheed Martin from $510.00 to $500.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 28th. Melius Research downgraded Lockheed Martin from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, March 24th. Finally, Robert W. Baird raised Lockheed Martin from a "neutral" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $540.00 target price for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $541.80.

Institutional Trading of Lockheed Martin

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. TruNorth Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Lockheed Martin in the 1st quarter valued at $31,000. Millstone Evans Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Lockheed Martin in the 4th quarter valued at $32,000. Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new position in Lockheed Martin during the 4th quarter worth about $34,000. Heck Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Lockheed Martin during the 4th quarter worth about $35,000. Finally, Redwood Park Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Lockheed Martin during the 4th quarter worth about $40,000. 74.19% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin Corporation, a security and aerospace company, engages in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of technology systems, products, and services worldwide. The company operates through Aeronautics, Missiles and Fire Control, Rotary and Mission Systems, and Space segments.

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