Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) Shares Up 1.9% - Should You Buy?

Shares of Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT - Get Free Report) were up 1.9% on Monday . The company traded as high as $479.48 and last traded at $479.50. Approximately 580,504 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 57% from the average daily volume of 1,335,837 shares. The stock had previously closed at $470.56.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

LMT has been the topic of several research reports. Jefferies Financial Group reduced 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. Melius downgraded shares of Lockheed Martin from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, March 24th. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered Lockheed Martin from an "outperform" rating to a "sector perform" rating and dropped their price target for the stock from $550.00 to $480.00 in a research report on Thursday, March 27th. Melius Research lowered Lockheed Martin from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, March 24th. Finally, Baird R W upgraded Lockheed Martin from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $541.80.

Lockheed Martin Price Performance

The stock's 50 day simple moving average is $471.01 and its 200 day simple moving average is $467.51. 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 firm has a market capitalization of $107.36 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.79, a P/E/G ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.29.

Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 22nd. The aerospace company reported $7.28 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.34 by $0.94. Lockheed Martin had a return on equity of 104.09% and a net margin of 7.66%. The company had revenue of $17.96 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $17.83 billion. As a group, analysts expect that Lockheed Martin Corporation will post 27.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Lockheed Martin Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 26th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 2nd will be given a dividend of $3.30 per share. This represents a $13.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.88%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 2nd. Lockheed Martin's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 57.02%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Lockheed Martin

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. TruNorth Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Lockheed Martin in the 1st quarter worth $31,000. Millstone Evans Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Lockheed Martin during the fourth quarter valued at about $32,000. Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of Lockheed Martin in the 4th quarter valued at about $34,000. Heck Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Lockheed Martin during the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,000. Finally, Redwood Park Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Lockheed Martin during the fourth quarter worth $40,000. 74.19% of the stock is 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.