Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) Stock Rating Lowered by StockNews.com

Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) was downgraded by stock analysts at StockNews.com from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a note issued to investors on Tuesday.

A number of other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports on LMT. Melius cut Lockheed Martin from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, March 24th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft downgraded Lockheed Martin from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and cut their target price for the company from $611.00 to $523.00 in a research report on Thursday, January 2nd. Barclays reduced their target price on Lockheed Martin from $565.00 to $515.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, January 6th. Wells Fargo & Company reaffirmed an “equal weight” rating on shares of Lockheed Martin in a research note on Monday, March 10th. Finally, Bank of America downgraded shares of Lockheed Martin from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from $685.00 to $485.00 in a research note on Monday, March 24th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $539.53.

Lockheed Martin Price Performance

NYSE LMT opened at $452.92 on Tuesday. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $453.52 and its 200-day moving average is $507.80. The company has a quick ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.10. Lockheed Martin has a 12-month low of $419.70 and a 12-month high of $618.95. The company has a market capitalization of $106.24 billion, a PE ratio of 20.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.07 and a beta of 0.39.

Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 28th. The aerospace company reported $7.67 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $6.58 by $1.09. Lockheed Martin had a net margin of 7.51% and a return on equity of 101.47%. Equities research analysts anticipate that Lockheed Martin will post 27.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at Lockheed Martin

In other news, VP Harry Edward Paul III sold 707 shares of Lockheed Martin stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $442.61, for a total transaction of $312,925.27. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 2,278 shares in the company, valued at $1,008,265.58. This trade represents a 23.69 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Robert M. Lightfoot, Jr. sold 3,213 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $442.42, for a total transaction of $1,421,495.46. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 2,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $884,840. The trade was a 61.63 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 7,133 shares of company stock valued at $3,155,916 in the last three months. Corporate insiders own 0.17% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Lockheed Martin

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of LMT. Global Wealth Strategies & Associates raised its holdings in shares of Lockheed Martin by 19.2% in the 1st quarter. Global Wealth Strategies & Associates now owns 621 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $277,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the period. M1 Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Lockheed Martin in the fourth quarter valued at $235,000. DSG Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Lockheed Martin during the 4th quarter valued at $235,000. Chancellor Financial Group WB LP bought a new position in shares of Lockheed Martin during the 4th quarter worth $209,000. Finally, 111 Capital purchased a new stake in Lockheed Martin in the 4th quarter worth about $1,155,000. 74.19% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin Corporation, a security and aerospace company, engages in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of technology systems, products, and services worldwide. The company operates through Aeronautics, Missiles and Fire Control, Rotary and Mission Systems, and Space segments.