Leidos Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:LDOS) Position Increased by New York State Common Retirement Fund

New York State Common Retirement Fund grew its stake in shares of Leidos Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:LDOS - Free Report) by 7.2% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 193,652 shares of the aerospace company's stock after acquiring an additional 13,035 shares during the period. New York State Common Retirement Fund owned 0.14% of Leidos worth $20,961,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in LDOS. Farmers & Merchants Trust Co of Chambersburg PA bought a new position in Leidos in the fourth quarter valued at $28,000. Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. bought a new position in Leidos in the third quarter valued at $30,000. Lindbrook Capital LLC increased its stake in Leidos by 209.0% in the fourth quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 275 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 186 shares during the last quarter. Friedenthal Financial bought a new position in shares of Leidos during the fourth quarter valued at about $43,000. Finally, Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC bought a new position in shares of Leidos during the third quarter valued at about $49,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 76.12% of the company's stock.

Leidos Stock Performance

LDOS traded up $0.48 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $130.36. 892,039 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 752,023. The stock has a market capitalization of $17.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 91.80, a P/E/G ratio of 1.80 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a quick ratio of 1.24, a current ratio of 1.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10. The company's fifty day moving average price is $127.59 and its 200-day moving average price is $113.95. Leidos Holdings, Inc. has a 52-week low of $76.58 and a 52-week high of $131.50.

Leidos (NYSE:LDOS - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 13th. The aerospace company reported $1.99 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.74 by $0.25. The firm had revenue of $3.98 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.81 billion. Leidos had a return on equity of 22.92% and a net margin of 1.29%. Leidos's revenue was up 7.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.83 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Leidos Holdings, Inc. will post 7.77 EPS for the current year.

Leidos Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 28th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, May 14th will be paid a $0.38 dividend. This represents a $1.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.17%. Leidos's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 107.04%.

Insider Transactions at Leidos

In related news, Director David G. Fubini sold 7,874 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $127.89, for a total value of $1,007,005.86. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 14,696 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,879,471.44. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In related news, Director Gary Stephen May sold 2,745 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $124.49, for a total value of $341,725.05. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 11,352 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,413,210.48. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director David G. Fubini sold 7,874 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $127.89, for a total transaction of $1,007,005.86. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 14,696 shares in the company, valued at $1,879,471.44. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.96% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Argus increased their target price on shares of Leidos from $120.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, March 20th. StockNews.com cut Leidos from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on Leidos from $105.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a "sector perform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 14th. Bank of America boosted their price target on Leidos from $125.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 27th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on Leidos from $137.00 to $147.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, April 4th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Leidos has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $132.42.

Leidos Profile

Leidos Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides services and solutions in the defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Defense Solutions, Civil, and Health segments. The Defense Solutions segment offers national security solutions and systems for air, land, sea, space, and cyberspace for the U.S.