HighTower Advisors LLC Boosts Stake in Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT)

HighTower Advisors LLC grew its stake in Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT - Free Report) by 130.3% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 3,072 shares of the aerospace company's stock after buying an additional 1,738 shares during the period. HighTower Advisors LLC's holdings in Elbit Systems were worth $799,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Morse Asset Management Inc purchased a new stake in Elbit Systems in the third quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Sierra Ocean LLC purchased a new stake in Elbit Systems in the 4th quarter valued at $41,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC raised its position in 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 purchasing an additional 106 shares during the last quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB acquired a new stake in Elbit Systems during the 3rd quarter worth $63,000. Finally, Callan Family Office LLC purchased a new position in Elbit Systems during the 4th quarter worth $231,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 17.88% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, StockNews.com downgraded shares of Elbit Systems from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 25th.

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Elbit Systems Stock Performance

Elbit Systems stock traded down $4.18 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $383.68. 80,412 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 35,209. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $332.93 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $270.45. Elbit Systems Ltd. has a twelve month low of $175.30 and a twelve month high of $420.00. The firm has a market cap of $17.06 billion, a PE ratio of 65.59 and a beta of 0.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a current ratio of 1.15.

Elbit Systems (NASDAQ:ESLT - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 18th. The aerospace company reported $2.66 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.95 by $0.71. The firm had revenue of $1.93 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.78 billion. Elbit Systems had a net margin of 4.00% and a return on equity of 11.34%. Equities analysts predict that Elbit Systems Ltd. will post 8.05 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Elbit Systems Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 5th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, April 22nd will be paid a dividend of $0.60 per share. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.63%. This is a positive change from Elbit Systems's previous quarterly dividend of $0.50. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, April 22nd. Elbit Systems's payout ratio is 27.72%.

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.