General Dynamics Co. (NYSE:GD) Short Interest Update

General Dynamics Co. (NYSE:GD - Get Free Report) was the target of a large decrease in short interest in the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 2,570,000 shares, a decrease of 16.0% from the February 28th total of 3,060,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,710,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.5 days. Approximately 1.0% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

General Dynamics Stock Down 6.4 %

NYSE GD traded down $17.30 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $252.32. 1,309,870 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,316,380. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 1.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. The firm has a market cap of $67.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.50, a PEG ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 0.43. The company has a 50 day moving average of $259.07 and a two-hundred day moving average of $276.14. General Dynamics has a 52-week low of $239.87 and a 52-week high of $316.90.

General Dynamics (NYSE:GD - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The aerospace company reported $4.15 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $4.29 by ($0.14). General Dynamics had a return on equity of 17.10% and a net margin of 7.93%. Equities research analysts anticipate that General Dynamics will post 14.83 earnings per share for the current year.

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General Dynamics Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 9th. Investors of record on Friday, April 11th will be paid a dividend of $1.50 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 11th. This represents a $6.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.38%. This is an increase from General Dynamics's previous quarterly dividend of $1.42. General Dynamics's payout ratio is presently 43.99%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

GD has been the subject of several research reports. William Blair cut shares of General Dynamics from an "outperform" rating to a "market perform" rating in a research note on Friday, February 21st. Barclays dropped their price target on General Dynamics from $305.00 to $285.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. TD Cowen reduced their price objective on General Dynamics from $315.00 to $295.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 28th. Robert W. Baird restated a "neutral" rating and issued a $283.00 target price (down from $345.00) on shares of General Dynamics in a report on Tuesday, January 14th. Finally, Baird R W lowered General Dynamics from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, January 14th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have issued a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $298.59.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Laura J. Schumacher sold 1,796 shares of General Dynamics stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $255.68, for a total value of $459,201.28. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 11,175 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,857,224. The trade was a 13.85 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Marguerite Amy Gilliland sold 27,562 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $272.11, for a total value of $7,499,895.82. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 45,192 shares of the company's stock, valued at $12,297,195.12. The trade was a 37.88 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.52% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of General Dynamics

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of GD. Financial Life Planners acquired a new stake in shares of General Dynamics during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Whipplewood Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of General Dynamics in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services LLC purchased a new position in shares of General Dynamics in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Copia Wealth Management acquired a new stake in General Dynamics during the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Finally, Heck Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in General Dynamics in the fourth quarter valued at $28,000. 86.14% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About General Dynamics

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.