According to a report by Bloomberg.com, research firms covering Leidos Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: LDOS) have assigned the company a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy.” Out of the nine research analysts covering the stock, four have given it a hold rating, while five have recommended buying shares in the firm. The average 12-month target price provided by brokers who have covered the stock in the last year is $112.70.
On Monday, LDOS shares opened at $92.16. The company’s 50-day moving average price stands at $95.49, while its 200-day moving average price is $89.82. Over the past year, Leidos has witnessed a low of $76.58 and a high of $110.91. With a market capitalization of $12.66 billion, the company has a PE ratio of 18.00 and a PEG ratio of 1.76. Its beta measures at 0.77, indicating relatively lower volatility compared to the broader market. Leidos boasts a solid debt-to-equity ratio of 1.00 and healthy liquidity ratios with quick and current ratios of 1.14 and 1.25 respectively.
In recent news, Director Harry M. Jansen Kraemer Jr., sold 3,098 shares of LDOS on August 4th for an average price of $96.95 per share, resulting in total proceeds worth $300,351.
The director now owns 84,277 shares valued at approximately $8,170,655 as disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.
LDOS reported its quarterly earnings data on August 1st revealing earnings per share (EPS) of $1.80 for the quarter which exceeded analysts’ expectations by $0.23.The aerospace company achieved a net margin of 4..77% and return on equity (ROE) of 20.97%. The firm generated $3.80 billion in revenue for the quarter, surpassing analyst estimates of $3.72 billion. In the same quarter last year, LDOS reported earnings per share (EPS) of $1.59 and recorded a 5.6% increase in revenue on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that for the current fiscal year Leidos will report an EPS of 6.64.
It is worth noting that this article is based on information from October 2, 2023, and stock performances and ratings may have changed since then.
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Potential Growth Prospects and Recognition for Leidos: Analyst Reports and Dividend Announcement
In recent news, Leidos, a global science and technology solutions company, has garnered attention from various brokerages. These brokerages have issued reports on the company’s performance and provided ratings, shedding light on its potential growth prospects in the market.
StockNews.com initiated coverage of Leidos by publishing a research report on Thursday, August 17th. The report granted a “buy” rating to the company’s stock, suggesting an optimistic outlook for potential investors. This recognition highlights Leidos’ ability to deliver favorable returns and generate interest from market experts.
However, Wells Fargo & Company recently revised its price target for Leidos from $129.00 to $121.00 in their report released on Monday, September 18th. Despite lowering the price target slightly, Wells Fargo maintained an “overweight” rating on the stock. This indicates that they still believe in Leidos’ ability to outperform its peers within the industry.
On the other hand, Royal Bank of Canada provided a “sector perform” rating for Leidos in their research report dated Wednesday, August 2nd. They raised their target price on the company’s shares from $90.00 to $100.00. Though not as bullish as some other analysts, this rating illustrates Royal Bank of Canada’s optimism regarding Leidos’ future performance within its sector.
Another notable mention comes from TheStreet in their research note issued on Wednesday, August 9th. TheStreet upgraded Leidos from a “c+” rating to a “b-” rating, reflecting a positive change in perception regarding the company’s growth prospects and overall financial health.
Lastly, Barclays also weighed in with their research note on Tuesday, August 8th. In it they increased their price target for Leidos shares from $90.00 to $106.00 while assigning an “equal weight” rating to the company. Although not overwhelmingly bullish like StockNews.com or Wells Fargo & Company, Barclays still acknowledges Leidos’ potential within the market.
In addition to these accolades, Leidos also recently announced a quarterly dividend. The dividend was paid on Friday, September 29th to investors who were recorded as shareholders on Friday, September 15th. The amount paid per share is $0.36, representing an annualized dividend of $1.44 and a yield of 1.56%. This announcement demonstrates Leidos’ commitment to providing value to its shareholders.
Furthermore, Leidos’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) currently stands at 28.13%. This figure indicates the proportion of the company’s earnings that is allocated towards dividend payments. A lower DPR suggests that Leidos retains more of its earnings for reinvestment in growth opportunities or other initiatives.
These recent reports and announcements have piqued the interest of investors and industry experts alike. With favorable ratings and a commitment to providing shareholder value through dividends, Leidos showcases its strong position in the market. As a global science and technology solutions provider, the company continues to strive for excellence and innovation while delivering consistent returns for its shareholders.
Date: October 2, 2023
