Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) Shares Down 2.3% - Time to Sell?

Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT - Get Free Report) dropped 2.3% during trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as $467.96 and last traded at $468.27. Approximately 1,865,340 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 39% from the average daily volume of 1,341,252 shares. The stock had previously closed at $479.34.

Analyst Ratings Changes

LMT has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Baird R W upgraded Lockheed Martin from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on Lockheed Martin from $476.00 to $432.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 8th. UBS Group increased their price target on Lockheed Martin from $481.00 to $499.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Melius lowered Lockheed Martin from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, March 24th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada lowered Lockheed Martin from an "outperform" rating to a "sector perform" rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $550.00 to $480.00 in a research report on Thursday, March 27th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $541.80.

Lockheed Martin Trading Up 0.3%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.79, a current ratio of 1.08 and a quick ratio of 0.91. The business has a 50 day moving average of $471.63 and a 200 day moving average of $468.25. The firm has a market capitalization of $110.17 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.31, a PEG ratio of 1.64 and a beta of 0.29.

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

Lockheed Martin Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced 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 2.81%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 2nd. Lockheed Martin's payout ratio is presently 57.02%.

Institutional Trading of Lockheed Martin

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. First American Bank raised its stake in Lockheed Martin by 18.8% during the 1st quarter. First American Bank now owns 8,393 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $3,749,000 after buying an additional 1,327 shares during the period. Aquatic Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Lockheed Martin in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $33,294,000. State of Wyoming increased its position in shares of Lockheed Martin by 93.9% during the fourth quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 1,113 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $541,000 after acquiring an additional 539 shares in the last quarter. Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisors L.P. raised its holdings in shares of Lockheed Martin by 18.6% during the first quarter. Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisors L.P. now owns 17,129 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $7,652,000 after acquiring an additional 2,686 shares during the period. Finally, Treasurer of the State of North Carolina lifted its position in Lockheed Martin by 3.9% in the 4th quarter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina now owns 102,674 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $49,893,000 after acquiring an additional 3,809 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.19% of the company's stock.

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.