General Dynamics Co. (NYSE:GD) SVP Marguerite Amy Gilliland Sells 27,562 Shares of Stock

General Dynamics Co. (NYSE:GD - Get Free Report) SVP Marguerite Amy Gilliland sold 27,562 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $272.11, for a total transaction of $7,499,895.82. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 45,192 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $12,297,195.12. The trade was a 37.88 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link.

General Dynamics Stock Up 1.3 %

Shares of NYSE GD traded up $3.30 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $265.33. The company had a trading volume of 974,387 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,234,991. General Dynamics Co. has a 1-year low of $239.87 and a 1-year high of $316.90. The company has a market capitalization of $71.73 billion, a PE ratio of 19.45, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 1.37 and a quick ratio of 0.82. The business's 50-day simple moving average is $257.89 and its 200 day simple moving average is $278.77.

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

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General Dynamics Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 9th. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 11th will be issued a dividend of $1.50 per share. This represents a $6.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.26%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, April 11th. This is a boost from General Dynamics's previous quarterly dividend of $1.42. General Dynamics's payout ratio is 43.99%.

General Dynamics announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a share buyback plan on Wednesday, December 4th that permits the company to repurchase 10,000,000 outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the aerospace company to repurchase shares of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are often a sign that the company's management believes its shares are undervalued.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On General Dynamics

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Empowered Funds LLC boosted its holdings in General Dynamics by 15.3% in the fourth quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 9,689 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $2,553,000 after purchasing an additional 1,283 shares in the last quarter. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of General Dynamics by 67.6% during the 3rd quarter. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 8,546 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $2,583,000 after buying an additional 3,448 shares during the last quarter. Kentucky Trust Co acquired a new position in shares of General Dynamics in the 4th quarter valued at $607,000. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. raised its stake in General Dynamics by 10.0% during the 3rd quarter. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. now owns 37,074 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $11,204,000 after acquiring an additional 3,363 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Hickory Point Bank & Trust acquired a new stake in General Dynamics during the 4th quarter worth $692,000. 86.14% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on GD shares. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a "hold" rating and set a $300.00 price target (down previously from $345.00) on shares of General Dynamics in a research report on Thursday, December 12th. Vertical Research cut shares of General Dynamics from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and dropped their price target for the company from $352.00 to $290.00 in a research note on Monday, January 6th. TD Cowen reduced their price target on shares of General Dynamics from $315.00 to $295.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 28th. Robert W. Baird reiterated a "neutral" rating and issued a $283.00 price objective (down from $345.00) on shares of General Dynamics in a research report on Tuesday, January 14th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reduced their target price on General Dynamics from $290.00 to $280.00 and set a "sector perform" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 30th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have issued a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, General Dynamics has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $297.71.

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.