Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 107,000 shares, an increase of 8.4% from the December 31st total of 98,700 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 34,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.1 days. Approximately 0.4% of the company’s shares are short sold.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, StockNews.com raised shares of Elbit Systems from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 20th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Sierra Ocean LLC bought a new position in Elbit Systems during the 4th quarter worth about $41,000. Coastline Trust Co bought a new stake in shares of Elbit Systems in the 3rd quarter valued at about $34,000. Morse Asset Management Inc bought a new stake in shares of Elbit Systems in the 3rd quarter valued at about $40,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB bought a new stake in shares of Elbit Systems in the 3rd quarter valued at about $63,000. Finally, Avior Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Elbit Systems by 49.1% in the 3rd quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 480 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $96,000 after buying an additional 158 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 17.88% of the company’s stock.

Elbit Systems Trading Down 0.8 %

ESLT stock opened at $303.21 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $13.48 billion, a PE ratio of 51.83 and a beta of 0.53. Elbit Systems has a 12 month low of $175.30 and a 12 month high of $308.96. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $270.43 and its 200 day moving average is $228.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10, a current ratio of 1.15 and a quick ratio of 0.64.

Elbit Systems Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, January 6th. Investors of record on Monday, December 23rd were paid a $0.50 dividend. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.66%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 23rd. This is an increase from Elbit Systems’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.42. Elbit Systems’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 28.38%.

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.