Elbit Systems (NASDAQ:ESLT) Announces Quarterly Earnings Results

Elbit Systems (NASDAQ:ESLT) posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday. The aerospace company reported $3.87 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.98 by $0.89, FiscalAI reports. Elbit Systems had a return on equity of 16.38% and a net margin of 7.14%.The company had revenue of $2.19 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.14 billion.

Here are the key takeaways from Elbit Systems’ conference call:

• Elbit Systems posted a strong Q1, with revenues up 15.5% to $2.189 billion and non-GAAP diluted EPS up 51% to $3.87, while non-GAAP operating margin exceeded 10% for the quarter.
• Backlog hit a record $30.2 billion, the first time the company has surpassed the $30 billion mark, providing strong visibility into future revenue growth. Management said the backlog is more than 70% non-Israel and nearly half is scheduled for delivery in 2026-2027.
• Order momentum remained very strong, with more than $4 billion in new business and contract awards during the quarter, including a roughly $1.4 billion European modernization contract and major wins in the U.S., Israel, and Europe.
• Margins and cash flow improved meaningfully, as gross margin expanded to 25.5% non-GAAP, operating cash flow rose to $281 million, and free cash flow increased 30% year over year to $210 million. The board also approved a $1 per share dividend, up from the prior payout.
• Management is investing aggressively in capacity and R&D, including higher CapEx, automation, AI, and new production facilities in Israel and Europe to support demand. They also said supply chain issues have largely been resolved and hiring is proceeding without major bottlenecks.

Elbit Systems Stock Down 2.8%

Shares of NASDAQ ESLT opened at $828.81 on Thursday. Elbit Systems has a 12-month low of $388.51 and a 12-month high of $1,016.06. The stock has a market cap of $36.84 billion, a PE ratio of 67.11, a P/E/G ratio of 3.58 and a beta of 0.14. The company has a current ratio of 1.29, a quick ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06. The company has a 50-day moving average of $856.09 and a 200 day moving average of $715.61.

Elbit Systems Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 6th. Investors of record on Tuesday, June 23rd will be paid a dividend of $1.00 per share. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, June 23rd. Elbit Systems’s dividend payout ratio is currently 29.31%.

Elbit Systems News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Elbit Systems this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Elbit Systems reported first-quarter 2026 results that topped expectations, with EPS of $3.87 and revenue of $2.19 billion, while highlighting record backlog of $30.2 billion and continued margin improvement. Elbit Systems Reports First Quarter 2026 Results
• Positive Sentiment: The company also announced a roughly $1.4 billion contract for extensive military modernization programs for a European customer, which improves long-term revenue visibility. Elbit Systems Awarded Approximately $1.4 Billion Contract
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst sentiment remains constructive overall, with JPMorgan raising its price target to $950 while keeping a neutral rating, implying additional upside from current levels. Benzinga coverage of JPMorgan target raise
• Neutral Sentiment: Elbit is drawing attention as one of the stronger defense and drone-technology names this year, and multiple articles highlighted its strong year-to-date performance versus peers. Are Aerospace Stocks Lagging Elbit Systems This Year?
• Neutral Sentiment: Elbit Systems’ unit also bought an Israeli AI company, which could support future product development, but the immediate financial impact is not yet clear. Elbit Systems unit buys Israeli AI company
• Negative Sentiment: Despite the strong operating results, some commentary says the stock still looks expensive after the rally, with valuation multiples described as stretched. Elbit Systems: Strong Q1, But Valuation Still Looks Stretched

Insider Activity at Elbit Systems

In related news, EVP Haim Daniel Delmar sold 7,654 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, April 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $887.40, for a total transaction of $6,792,159.60. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Oren Yaacov Sabag sold 8,504 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, April 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $887.40, for a total transaction of $7,546,449.60. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold 69,736 shares of company stock worth $61,883,726 in the last 90 days. 0.84% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Elbit Systems

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Captrust Financial Advisors raised its position in shares of Elbit Systems by 2.5% during the 4th quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 741 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $428,000 after buying an additional 18 shares during the period. Arax Advisory Partners lifted its holdings in shares of Elbit Systems by 25.0% in the 4th quarter. Arax Advisory Partners now owns 150 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $87,000 after acquiring an additional 30 shares during the last quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Elbit Systems by 7.0% in the 4th quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 608 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $351,000 after acquiring an additional 40 shares during the last quarter. Vident Advisory LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Elbit Systems by 2.2% in the 3rd quarter. Vident Advisory LLC now owns 1,827 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $931,000 after acquiring an additional 40 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Daiwa Securities Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Elbit Systems by 6.4% in the 4th quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 681 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $393,000 after acquiring an additional 41 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 17.88% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have commented on ESLT shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on Elbit Systems from $930.00 to $950.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Zacks Research upgraded Elbit Systems from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday, April 13th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a “hold” rating and set a $950.00 price objective on shares of Elbit Systems in a research note on Wednesday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have assigned a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $742.75.

Elbit Systems Company Profile

Elbit Systems Ltd. is an Israel-based defense electronics company that designs, develops and supplies a broad range of systems for military, homeland security and commercial aviation customers. The company focuses on integrated, platform-level solutions that combine sensors, communications, command-and-control software and weapons integration to support intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), force protection and mission management.

Its product and service portfolio spans unmanned aircraft systems, electro-optic and signal intelligence systems, electronic warfare and communications equipment, avionics and mission systems for military and commercial aircraft, and land and naval systems.