Ethic Inc. Increases Stake in Lockheed Martin Co. (NYSE:LMT)

Ethic Inc. raised its position in Lockheed Martin Co. (NYSE:LMT - Free Report) by 34.8% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 4,925 shares of the aerospace company's stock after acquiring an additional 1,272 shares during the quarter. Ethic Inc.'s holdings in Lockheed Martin were worth $2,393,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in Lockheed Martin by 3.3% during the fourth quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 6,126 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $2,977,000 after purchasing an additional 193 shares in the last quarter. Czech National Bank increased its holdings in shares of Lockheed Martin by 5.8% in the 4th quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 45,741 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $22,227,000 after acquiring an additional 2,527 shares during the period. Aprio Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Lockheed Martin by 25.5% in the 4th quarter. Aprio Wealth Management LLC now owns 527 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $256,000 after acquiring an additional 107 shares during the period. Crescent Sterling Ltd. increased its holdings in shares of Lockheed Martin by 4.0% in the 4th quarter. Crescent Sterling Ltd. now owns 1,295 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $629,000 after acquiring an additional 50 shares during the period. Finally, Fiduciary Alliance LLC increased its holdings in shares of Lockheed Martin by 6.2% in the 4th quarter. Fiduciary Alliance LLC now owns 17,196 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $8,356,000 after acquiring an additional 1,001 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.19% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on LMT shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on shares of Lockheed Martin from $540.00 to $535.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 30th. Citigroup cut their target price on shares of Lockheed Martin from $700.00 to $600.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 21st. Morgan Stanley raised shares of Lockheed Martin from an "equal weight" rating to an "overweight" rating and set a $575.00 target price on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered shares of Lockheed Martin from an "outperform" rating to a "sector perform" rating and lowered their price objective for the company from $550.00 to $480.00 in a research report on Thursday, March 27th. Finally, Baird R W upgraded shares of Lockheed Martin from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Lockheed Martin currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $541.80.

Insider Activity at Lockheed Martin

In other news, insider Robert M. Lightfoot, Jr. sold 3,213 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $442.42, for a total value of $1,421,495.46. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 2,000 shares of the company's stock, valued at $884,840. The trade was a 61.63% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, VP Harry Edward Paul III sold 707 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $442.61, for a total transaction of $312,925.27. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 2,278 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,008,265.58. This represents a 23.69% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 7,133 shares of company stock valued at $3,155,916. Insiders own 0.14% of the company's stock.

Lockheed Martin Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:LMT traded down $0.40 on Monday, reaching $473.12. 1,364,423 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,269,375. The company has a current ratio of 1.13, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.10. Lockheed Martin Co. has a 1-year low of $418.88 and a 1-year high of $618.95. The firm has a market cap of $110.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.25, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.07 and a beta of 0.29. The company has a 50-day moving average of $462.09 and a 200-day moving average of $481.59.

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

Lockheed Martin Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 27th. Investors of record on Monday, June 2nd will be paid a $3.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 2nd. This represents a $13.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.79%. Lockheed Martin's payout ratio is 57.02%.

Lockheed Martin Company Profile

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.