Stifel Financial Corp Trims Position in Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT)

Stifel Financial Corp cut its holdings in shares of Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT - Free Report) by 17.4% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 8,700 shares of the aerospace company's stock after selling 1,831 shares during the period. Stifel Financial Corp's holdings in Elbit Systems were worth $2,245,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Hurley Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Elbit Systems during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Prestige Wealth Management Group LLC lifted its position in Elbit Systems by 150.0% during the 4th quarter. Prestige Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 125 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 75 shares during the last quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Elbit Systems by 196.3% in the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 160 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 106 shares during the last quarter. Sierra Ocean LLC bought a new stake in Elbit Systems in the 4th quarter valued at $41,000. Finally, Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB acquired a new position in Elbit Systems during the third quarter worth $63,000. 17.88% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Elbit Systems Stock Performance

Shares of ESLT traded up $14.47 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $414.47. 93,057 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 42,921. The stock's 50 day simple moving average is $384.90 and its 200 day simple moving average is $307.07. Elbit Systems Ltd. has a twelve month low of $175.30 and a twelve month high of $447.90. The company has a quick ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10. The company has a market cap of $18.42 billion, a P/E ratio of 70.85 and a beta of 0.31.

Elbit Systems (NASDAQ:ESLT - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 18th. The aerospace company reported $2.66 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.95 by $0.71. Elbit Systems had a return on equity of 11.34% and a net margin of 4.00%. The business had revenue of $1.93 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.78 billion. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Elbit Systems Ltd. will post 8.05 earnings per share for the current year.

Elbit Systems Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, May 5th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, April 22nd were given a dividend of $0.60 per share. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.58%. This is a positive change from Elbit Systems's previous quarterly dividend of $0.50. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, April 22nd. Elbit Systems's dividend payout ratio is presently 27.72%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, StockNews.com lowered shares of Elbit Systems from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 25th.

Elbit Systems Profile

Elbit Systems Ltd. develops and supplies a portfolio of airborne, land, and naval systems and products for the defense, homeland security, and commercial aviation applications primarily in Israel. The company operates through Aerospace, C4I and Cyber, ISTAR and EW, Land, and Elbit Systems of America segments.