Truist Financial Cuts Leidos (NYSE:LDOS) Price Target to $165.00

Leidos (NYSE:LDOS) had its price objective lowered by Truist Financial from $185.00 to $165.00 in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday morning,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a buy rating on the aerospace company’s stock.

A number of other equities research analysts have also issued reports on the stock. Barclays raised their price target on shares of Leidos from $165.00 to $210.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, November 4th. Robert W. Baird raised their price target on shares of Leidos from $180.00 to $218.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of Leidos from $199.00 to $197.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday. Cantor Fitzgerald began coverage on shares of Leidos in a research report on Friday, February 7th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $185.00 price target for the company. Finally, Citigroup lifted their target price on shares of Leidos from $194.00 to $220.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $176.27.

Leidos Stock Performance

Leidos stock opened at $132.22 on Wednesday. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $147.55 and its 200-day moving average price is $157.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a current ratio of 1.23. The stock has a market cap of $17.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.92 and a beta of 0.66. Leidos has a fifty-two week low of $120.98 and a fifty-two week high of $202.90.

Leidos (NYSE:LDOS) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The aerospace company reported $2.37 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.24 by $0.13. Leidos had a net margin of 7.37% and a return on equity of 30.31%. On average, equities research analysts expect that Leidos will post 10.03 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Leidos Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 14th will be paid a $0.40 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 14th. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.21%. Leidos’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 18.22%.

Insider Transactions at Leidos

In related news, Director Robert C. Kovarik, Jr. sold 1,511 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $134.56, for a total transaction of $203,320.16. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 6,408 shares in the company, valued at approximately $862,260.48. This represents a 19.08 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Noel B. Geer bought 2,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 20th. The shares were bought at an average price of $161.13 per share, with a total value of $322,260.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 2,000 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $322,260. The trade was a ∞ increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.96% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Leidos

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Rakuten Securities Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Leidos by 1,460.0% in the 3rd quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. now owns 156 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 146 shares during the last quarter. Marshall & Sterling Wealth Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Leidos in the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC bought a new stake in shares of Leidos in the 3rd quarter worth about $29,000. Northwest Investment Counselors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Leidos in the 3rd quarter worth about $30,000. Finally, Duncker Streett & Co. Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Leidos in the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Institutional investors own 76.12% of the company’s stock.

About Leidos

Leidos Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides services and solutions in the defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Defense Solutions, Civil, and Health segments. The Defense Solutions segment offers national security solutions and systems for air, land, sea, space, and cyberspace for the U.S.