Moran Wealth Management LLC Makes New Investment in Leidos Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:LDOS)

Moran Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Leidos Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:LDOS - Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 52,029 shares of the aerospace company's stock, valued at approximately $8,481,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in LDOS. Rakuten Securities Inc. lifted its holdings in Leidos by 1,460.0% in the third quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. now owns 156 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 146 shares during the period. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC bought a new position in shares of Leidos in the 3rd quarter worth $29,000. Northwest Investment Counselors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Leidos during the 3rd quarter worth about $30,000. 1832 Asset Management L.P. bought a new position in Leidos during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $34,000. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. grew its holdings in Leidos by 251.3% during the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 281 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 201 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 76.12% of the company's stock.

Leidos Stock Performance

Shares of LDOS stock traded up $2.96 during trading on Thursday, hitting $165.11. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,590,069 shares, compared to its average volume of 926,755. Leidos Holdings, Inc. has a 52 week low of $105.50 and a 52 week high of $202.90. The business has a fifty day moving average of $169.94 and a 200-day moving average of $155.93. The company has a market cap of $22.03 billion, a PE ratio of 18.47, a P/E/G ratio of 1.06 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a current ratio of 1.23, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87.

Leidos (NYSE:LDOS - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 29th. The aerospace company reported $2.93 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.96 by $0.97. The firm had revenue of $4.19 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.06 billion. Leidos had a net margin of 7.37% and a return on equity of 30.31%. The company's revenue was up 6.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.03 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Leidos Holdings, Inc. will post 10.07 earnings per share for the current year.

Leidos Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Monday, December 16th will be given a $0.40 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 16th. This is a positive change from Leidos's previous quarterly dividend of $0.38. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.97%. Leidos's payout ratio is 17.31%.

Insider Activity at Leidos

In other news, Director Surya N. Mohapatra sold 2,748 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $194.97, for a total transaction of $535,777.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 20,001 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,899,594.97. This represents a 12.08 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Robert C. Kovarik, Jr. sold 1,047 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $184.94, for a total value of $193,632.18. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 6,408 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,185,095.52. This trade represents a 14.04 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.96% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have weighed in on LDOS shares. Barclays lifted their target price on Leidos from $165.00 to $210.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, November 4th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on shares of Leidos from $145.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock a "sector perform" rating in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. Citigroup increased their price objective on shares of Leidos from $194.00 to $220.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 30th. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on shares of Leidos from $175.00 to $205.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 30th. Finally, Robert W. Baird increased their target price on Leidos from $180.00 to $218.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $191.23.

About Leidos

Leidos Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides services and solutions in the defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Defense Solutions, Civil, and Health segments. The Defense Solutions segment offers national security solutions and systems for air, land, sea, space, and cyberspace for the U.S.