Elbit Systems (NASDAQ:ESLT) Shares Gap Up – Should You Buy?

Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT)’s share price gapped up prior to trading on Thursday . The stock had previously closed at $818.97, but opened at $864.56. Elbit Systems shares last traded at $883.7720, with a volume of 29,299 shares traded.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts recently issued reports on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on Elbit Systems from $930.00 to $950.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 27th. Zacks Research raised Elbit Systems from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, April 13th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reissued a “hold” rating and set a $950.00 price objective on shares of Elbit Systems in a research report on Wednesday, May 27th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have issued a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $742.75.

Elbit Systems Trading Up 10.2%

The stock has a market cap of $40.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 73.12, a PEG ratio of 3.41 and a beta of 0.14. The company has a quick ratio of 0.86, a current ratio of 1.41 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06. The business has a 50-day moving average of $842.64 and a 200-day moving average of $741.20.

Elbit Systems (NASDAQ:ESLT) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 26th. The aerospace company reported $3.87 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.98 by $0.89. The company had revenue of $2.19 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.14 billion. Elbit Systems had a return on equity of 16.15% and a net margin of 7.14%. As a group, research analysts forecast that Elbit Systems Ltd. will post 15.94 earnings per share for the current year.

Elbit Systems Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 6th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, June 23rd will be paid a dividend of $1.00 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, June 23rd. This represents a $4.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.4%. Elbit Systems’s payout ratio is currently 26.88%.

Insider Activity

In other Elbit Systems news, EVP Jonathan Ariel sold 7,654 shares of Elbit Systems stock in a transaction on Thursday, April 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $887.40, for a total transaction of $6,792,159.60. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Haim Daniel Delmar sold 7,654 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, April 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $887.40, for a total value of $6,792,159.60. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 69,736 shares of company stock valued at $61,883,726. 0.84% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Elbit Systems

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. CoreCap Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Elbit Systems during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. WPG Advisers LLC acquired a new position in Elbit Systems during the 1st quarter worth $26,000. Optiver Holding B.V. acquired a new position in Elbit Systems during the 1st quarter worth $46,000. Wexford Capital LP acquired a new position in Elbit Systems during the 3rd quarter worth $63,000. Finally, Leonteq Securities AG acquired a new position in Elbit Systems during the 4th quarter worth $68,000. 17.88% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.