Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) Shares Down 1.7% - Time to Sell?

Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT - Get Free Report) was down 1.7% on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $471.55 and last traded at $471.14. Approximately 692,625 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 57% from the average daily volume of 1,597,264 shares. The stock had previously closed at $479.34.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

LMT has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Morgan Stanley raised Lockheed Martin from an "equal weight" rating to an "overweight" rating and set a $575.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 16th. Baird R W raised shares of Lockheed Martin from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price target on shares of Lockheed Martin from $510.00 to $500.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 28th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Lockheed Martin from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Saturday, May 3rd. Finally, Melius lowered shares of Lockheed Martin from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, March 24th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $541.80.

Lockheed Martin Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.79, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a current ratio of 1.08. The stock has a market cap of $109.75 billion, a PE ratio of 20.26, a PEG ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 0.29. The company's 50-day moving average price is $471.55 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $469.28.

Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 22nd. The aerospace company reported $7.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.34 by $0.94. The firm had revenue of $17.96 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17.83 billion. Lockheed Martin had a return on equity of 104.09% and a net margin of 7.66%. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Lockheed Martin Corporation will post 27.15 EPS for the current year.

Lockheed Martin Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 27th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 2nd will be paid a $3.30 dividend. This represents a $13.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.82%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 2nd. Lockheed Martin's dividend payout ratio is presently 57.02%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Lockheed Martin

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. LaFleur & Godfrey LLC raised its stake in shares of Lockheed Martin by 18.0% during the fourth quarter. LaFleur & Godfrey LLC now owns 1,156 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $562,000 after acquiring an additional 176 shares during the last quarter. Eagle Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Lockheed Martin by 0.3% in the 4th quarter. Eagle Capital Management LLC now owns 10,827 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $5,261,000 after buying an additional 32 shares during the period. Brighton Jones LLC increased its stake in shares of Lockheed Martin by 5.0% during the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 3,995 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $1,941,000 after buying an additional 191 shares during the period. Hudson Portfolio Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Lockheed Martin during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $256,000. Finally, Vontobel Holding Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of Lockheed Martin by 95.0% during the fourth quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 3,702 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $1,799,000 after acquiring an additional 1,804 shares in the last quarter. 74.19% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.

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