Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT) Given Average Rating of “Hold” by Brokerages

Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT) has been given a consensus rating of “Hold” by the five brokerages that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and two have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month target price among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $550.3333.

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on ESLT shares. Morgan Stanley began coverage on shares of Elbit Systems in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. They set an “equal weight” rating and a $531.00 price objective for the company. Zacks Research lowered shares of Elbit Systems from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 12th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Elbit Systems from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, January 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on Elbit Systems from $530.00 to $580.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, December 19th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Elbit Systems in a research note on Monday, December 29th.

Elbit Systems Stock Performance

Shares of Elbit Systems stock opened at $721.78 on Friday. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $590.27 and its 200 day moving average price is $517.86. The company has a market cap of $32.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 73.35, a PEG ratio of 2.22 and a beta of 0.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a current ratio of 1.32. Elbit Systems has a one year low of $294.99 and a one year high of $740.67.

Elbit Systems (NASDAQ:ESLT) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, November 18th. The aerospace company reported $3.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.75 by $0.60. Elbit Systems had a return on equity of 15.04% and a net margin of 5.91%.The business had revenue of $1.92 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.99 billion. On average, research analysts predict that Elbit Systems will post 8.05 EPS for the current year.

Elbit Systems Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, January 5th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 22nd were given a $0.75 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 22nd. This represents a $3.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.4%. Elbit Systems’s dividend payout ratio is presently 22.87%.

Institutional Trading of Elbit Systems

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ESLT. CoreCap Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Elbit Systems during the fourth quarter worth $26,000. USA Financial Formulas purchased a new stake in shares of Elbit Systems in the 3rd quarter valued at $26,000. Activest Wealth Management purchased a new stake in shares of Elbit Systems in the 2nd quarter valued at $28,000. Traub Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Elbit Systems during the 2nd quarter worth about $31,000. Finally, Financial Consulate Inc. purchased a new position in Elbit Systems during the 3rd quarter valued at about $60,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 17.88% of the company’s stock.

About Elbit Systems

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.