Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) Shares Down 0.5% – Should You Sell?

Lockheed Martin Co. (NYSE:LMT)’s stock price traded down 0.5% during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $451.26 and last traded at $453.35. 410,185 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 71% from the average session volume of 1,400,923 shares. The stock had previously closed at $455.42.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts recently commented on LMT shares. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on shares of Lockheed Martin from $500.00 to $497.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, January 30th. StockNews.com downgraded Lockheed Martin from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, January 31st. Susquehanna lowered their price target on shares of Lockheed Martin from $590.00 to $550.00 and set a “positive” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 29th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on Lockheed Martin from $555.00 to $525.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 29th. Finally, Robert W. Baird upped their target price on Lockheed Martin from $519.00 to $626.00 in a report on Tuesday, October 22nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $555.60.

Lockheed Martin Price Performance

The company has a 50 day moving average price of $488.10 and a 200 day moving average price of $536.42. The company has a current ratio of 1.13, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.10. The company has a market capitalization of $105.52 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.14, a P/E/G ratio of 2.96 and a beta of 0.48.

Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 28th. The aerospace company reported $7.67 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.58 by $1.09. Lockheed Martin had a net margin of 7.51% and a return on equity of 101.47%. On average, equities analysts predict that Lockheed Martin Co. will post 27.29 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Lockheed Martin Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 28th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 3rd will be given a dividend of $3.30 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $13.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.94%. Lockheed Martin’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 59.30%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Lockheed Martin

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. acquired a new position in Lockheed Martin in the 3rd quarter valued at $26,000. Burkett Financial Services LLC bought a new position in Lockheed Martin during the third quarter worth about $32,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new stake in Lockheed Martin in the 3rd quarter worth about $40,000. Heck Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Lockheed Martin in the 4th quarter worth about $35,000. Finally, Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new position in shares of Lockheed Martin during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $42,000. Institutional investors 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.