General Dynamics Co. (NYSE:GD) Position Increased by Financial Counselors Inc.

Financial Counselors Inc. boosted its stake in General Dynamics Co. (NYSE:GD - Free Report) by 183.8% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 5,690 shares of the aerospace company's stock after purchasing an additional 3,685 shares during the quarter. Financial Counselors Inc.'s holdings in General Dynamics were worth $1,720,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC grew its stake in General Dynamics by 4.6% during the third quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 666,544 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $201,430,000 after buying an additional 29,223 shares during the period. Public Sector Pension Investment Board grew its stake in General Dynamics by 11.0% during the third quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 64,455 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $19,478,000 after buying an additional 6,400 shares during the period. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank grew its stake in General Dynamics by 7.5% during the third quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 57,899 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $17,497,000 after buying an additional 4,024 shares during the period. MetLife Investment Management LLC grew its stake in General Dynamics by 9.5% during the third quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 67,322 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $20,345,000 after buying an additional 5,859 shares during the period. Finally, Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund purchased a new position in shares of General Dynamics in the third quarter valued at $5,470,000. 86.14% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity at General Dynamics

In related news, VP Christopher J. Brady sold 5,540 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $280.91, for a total value of $1,556,241.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 20,296 shares in the company, valued at $5,701,349.36. This represents a 21.44 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Peter A. Wall sold 1,320 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $308.05, for a total transaction of $406,626.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 3,592 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,106,515.60. This trade represents a 26.87 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.52% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

General Dynamics Stock Performance

Shares of General Dynamics stock traded up $1.70 during trading on Friday, hitting $284.01. 538,180 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,111,170. The stock's fifty day moving average is $298.17 and its 200 day moving average is $295.56. The stock has a market cap of $78.09 billion, a PE ratio of 21.63, a P/E/G ratio of 1.71 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a current ratio of 1.32. General Dynamics Co. has a 12 month low of $245.01 and a 12 month high of $316.90.

General Dynamics (NYSE:GD - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 23rd. The aerospace company reported $3.35 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.48 by ($0.13). The firm had revenue of $11.67 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.65 billion. General Dynamics had a return on equity of 16.59% and a net margin of 7.90%. The firm's revenue was up 10.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $3.04 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that General Dynamics Co. will post 13.98 EPS for the current year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. TD Cowen upgraded shares of General Dynamics to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 8th. Susquehanna upped their target price on shares of General Dynamics from $333.00 to $352.00 and gave the company a "positive" rating in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. Barclays upped their target price on shares of General Dynamics from $325.00 to $330.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 29th. Citigroup upped their target price on shares of General Dynamics from $331.00 to $354.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, October 10th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their price target on shares of General Dynamics from $309.00 to $306.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, November 1st. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $323.69.

General Dynamics Company Profile

General Dynamics Corporation operates as an aerospace and defense company worldwide. It operates through four segments: Aerospace, Marine Systems, Combat Systems, and Technologies. The Aerospace segment produces and sells business jets; and offers aircraft maintenance and repair, management, aircraft-on-ground support and completion, charter, staffing, and fixed-base operator services.