Short Interest in Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT) Rises By 8.4%

Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest during the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 107,000 shares, an increase of 8.4% from the December 31st total of 98,700 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 34,300 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.1 days. Approximately 0.4% of the company's stock are short sold.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, StockNews.com raised shares of Elbit Systems from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 20th.

Elbit Systems Stock Down 0.1 %

Shares of Elbit Systems stock traded down $0.20 during trading on Friday, reaching $305.49. The company's stock had a trading volume of 14,626 shares, compared to its average volume of 37,713. Elbit Systems has a 1-year low of $175.30 and a 1-year high of $313.89. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $275.31 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $231.69. The company has a quick ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10. The company has a market cap of $13.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 52.22 and a beta of 0.53.

Elbit Systems Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, January 6th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 23rd were paid a dividend of $0.50 per share. This is a positive change from Elbit Systems's previous quarterly dividend of $0.42. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 23rd. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.65%. Elbit Systems's payout ratio is presently 28.38%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Elbit Systems

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Coastline Trust Co purchased a new stake in Elbit Systems during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $34,000. Morse Asset Management Inc acquired a new stake in shares of Elbit Systems during the third quarter worth $40,000. Sierra Ocean LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Elbit Systems during the fourth quarter valued at $41,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of Elbit Systems by 196.3% in the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 160 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $41,000 after acquiring an additional 106 shares during the period. Finally, Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new position in Elbit Systems in the 3rd quarter worth $63,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 17.88% of the company's stock.

Elbit Systems Company Profile

Elbit Systems Ltd. develops and supplies a portfolio of airborne, land, and naval systems and products for the defense, homeland security, and commercial aviation applications primarily in Israel. The company operates through Aerospace, C4I and Cyber, ISTAR and EW, Land, and Elbit Systems of America segments.