Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT) Short Interest Up 55.0% in September

Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest during the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 79,200 shares, a growth of 55.0% from the August 31st total of 51,100 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 23,500 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.4 days. Currently, 0.3% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Elbit Systems Stock Performance

Shares of ESLT stock traded down $0.54 on Friday, reaching $195.03. The stock had a trading volume of 65,533 shares, compared to its average volume of 23,309. The stock has a market cap of $8.67 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.50 and a beta of 0.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10, a quick ratio of 0.63 and a current ratio of 1.13. Elbit Systems has a 1 year low of $175.30 and a 1 year high of $225.64. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $193.24 and a 200 day simple moving average of $194.42.

Elbit Systems (NASDAQ:ESLT - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, August 14th. The aerospace company reported $2.08 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.77 by $0.31. Elbit Systems had a return on equity of 10.70% and a net margin of 3.85%. The business had revenue of $1.63 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.57 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.57 earnings per share. Equities research analysts expect that Elbit Systems will post 7.8 EPS for the current year.

Elbit Systems Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 28th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, October 15th will be given a dividend of $0.416 per share. This represents a $1.66 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.85%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, October 15th. Elbit Systems's payout ratio is 32.68%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Elbit Systems

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Blue Trust Inc. increased its position in Elbit Systems by 368.6% in the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 164 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 129 shares in the last quarter. Point72 DIFC Ltd bought a new stake in Elbit Systems during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $35,000. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp raised its stake in Elbit Systems by 56.8% during the 1st quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp now owns 232 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $49,000 after acquiring an additional 84 shares during the period. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in Elbit Systems by 53.8% during the first quarter. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC now owns 409 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $86,000 after purchasing an additional 143 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Parallel Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Elbit Systems by 21.2% in the fourth quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 537 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $114,000 after purchasing an additional 94 shares during the period. 17.88% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Elbit Systems from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Friday, August 16th.

About Elbit Systems

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.