Short Interest in Leidos Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:LDOS) Expands By 8.4%

( ) saw a significant increase in short interest during the month of July. On June 30, there were 1,670,000 short shares, an increase of 8.4% over the 1,540,000 shares on June 15. At the moment, 1,3% of shares are short sold. The short-interest rate is currently 1.7 with an average daily volume 1,000,000 shares.

Leidos Stock Down 0.1 %

The stock fell $0.05 in mid-day trading Friday to $91.31. Stock of the company traded at 624,207, compared with its average of 952,851. The company's moving average for the last 50 days is $84.56. Its 200-day moving average is $90.83. The last time ) released its results was on May 2nd. Aerospace reported $1.47 per share for the quarter. This was below the consensus estimate of $1.5 by $0.12. Revenue for the quarter was $3.70 billion, which is higher than the $3.65 billion consensus estimate. Leidos' return on equity was 21.00%, and its net margin was 4.60%. Revenue was up 5.9% year-over-year. In the same time period last year, the company earned $1.58 per share. Analysts expect Leidos to post an average 6.52 earnings per shares for the current fiscal year.

Leidos Dividend Announcement

A quarterly dividend was also announced by the company and paid out on Friday 30th June. Investors who were in the records on Thursday, June 15, received a dividend of $0.36. This dividend became payable on Wednesday, June 14. This is a $1.44 dividend with a yield 1.58%. Leidos's current dividend payout ratio is 29.63%.

Leidos Insiders Buying and selling

On Thursday, 4th May, 1,200 shares were purchased in the company's stock. The shares were bought at an average of $80.25 per share with a value of $96,300.00. The executive vice president owns directly 16,958 shares worth $1,360.879.50. On Monday, 22nd May, 6,300 shares were purchased in the company's stock. Stock was bought at an average price of $78.81 a share for a transaction totaling $496.503.00. After the completion of this transaction, the CEO now owns directly 6,300 shares worth approximately $496 503 of the company stock. EVP Jerald S. Howe, Jr. also purchased 1,200 stock shares in a transaction on Thursday, 4th May. The shares were bought at an average of $80.25 per share for a transaction totaling $96,300.00. After the completion of this transaction, the executive Vice President now owns 16,958 company shares valued at $1,360.879.50. In the past ninety-days, insiders purchased 7,625 shares worth $602,898 of stock. Insiders hold 1.52% of a company's shares.

Leidos Institutional Trading

Hedge funds and institutional investors have recently increased or decreased their stakes. KB Financial Partners LLC purchased a stake in Leidos shares during the first quarter worth approximately $25,000 Chilton Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Leidos shares during the first quarter, valued at approximately $27,000. Money Concepts Capital Corp increased its Leidos position by 548.8% during the 4th Quarter. Money Concepts Capital Corp owns now 266 shares worth $28,000 of the aerospace company after purchasing an additional 225 in the fourth quarter. Quarry LP increased its holdings in Leidos shares by 1,340.7% over the first quarter. Quarry LP owns 389 of the aerospace company stock, worth $36,000. This is after purchasing an additional 362 during the period. Activest Wealth Management also acquired a position in Leidos worth $40,000 during the second quarter. 74.84% of Leidos' stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analysts set new price targets

LDOS was the subject of a few research analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded shares of Leidos to 'overweight,' and raised their price target from $87.00 up to $102.00. This was in a report published on Thursday, 25th May. Jefferies Financial Group downgraded shares of Leidos to a "hold" rating in a report released on Monday, March 27th. They also reduced their price target from $120.00 to $85.00. In a report published on Monday, 3rd July, a report upgraded Leidos's rating from a "hold" to a "buy". Stifel Nicolaus lowered their target price for Leidos in a report published on May 16th from $114.00 down to $113.00. Three analysts have given the stock a hold and three a buy rating. According to MarketBeat.com the company currently has an average rating 'Moderate buy' with an average price target of $103.63.

Leidos Company Profile

(
Get Free Report
)

Leidos Holdings, Inc., along with its subsidiaries, offers services and solutions to the United States as well as international markets for defense, intelligence, civil, health, and other sectors. It is divided into three segments, Civil and Health, Defense Solutions. Defense Solutions offers U.S. national security systems and solutions for air, land and sea.

MarketBeat.com offers a FREE daily email newsletter
.