Natixis Advisors LLC recently made headlines by strategically reducing its stake in Leidos Holdings, Inc. (LDOS), an aerospace company, during the first quarter. This move, as disclosed to the Securities and Exchange Commission, saw the firm divest 4,465 shares, leaving them with a substantial holding of 165,101 shares. The reported value of Natixis Advisors LLC’s investment in Leidos stood at an impressive $22,279,000 by the close of the most recent reporting period, highlighting the significant capital movements within the institutional investment landscape.
Beyond Natixis, a flurry of activity from other prominent institutional investors and hedge funds has further shaped the ownership landscape of Leidos Holdings. Sowell Financial Services LLC, for instance, initiated a new position in Leidos shares during the first quarter, reflecting emerging confidence in the company’s prospects. This new acquisition was valued at approximately $267,000, marking a notable entry into the LDOS stock market.
The fourth quarter saw Invesco Ltd. dramatically increase its stake in Leidos, boosting its holdings by a substantial 35.0%. This aggressive acquisition resulted in Invesco Ltd. now owning an impressive 2,630,448 shares, valued at an astounding $378,942,000. Similarly, MidWestOne Financial Group Inc. expanded its Leidos shareholdings by 47.8% in the same period, bringing their total to 19,841 shares, worth $2,858,000. SG Americas Securities LLC also made a significant leap, lifting its position by an astonishing 263.7% in the first quarter, now holding 13,706 shares valued at $1,849,000. Ameriprise Financial Inc. rounded out the notable institutional movements by growing its Leidos stake by 1.1% during the fourth quarter, reaching 437,535 shares valued at $63,026,000.
Collectively, institutional investors command a substantial presence in Leidos, holding 76.12% of the company’s stock. As of recent market close, shares of Leidos Holdings, Inc. opened at $159.21. The company boasts a robust market capitalization of $20.49 billion, complemented by a P/E ratio of 16.02, a PEG ratio of 1.91, and a beta of 0.65, indicating moderate volatility relative to the broader market. The stock performance metrics reflect a dynamic trading environment, with the company’s 50-day simple moving average at $155.43 and its 200-day simple moving average at $146.55.
From a financial health perspective, Leidos maintains a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.17, a current ratio of 1.54, and a quick ratio of 1.42. These figures suggest a balanced approach to leveraging and a healthy capacity to meet short-term obligations, reinforcing the company’s financial stability amidst market fluctuations. Such indicators are crucial for investors assessing the long-term viability of their LDOS stock investments.
In other corporate news, Leidos Holdings, Inc. recently declared a quarterly dividend of $0.40 per share, payable on Tuesday, September 30th, to shareholders of record on Monday, September 15th. This translates to an annualized dividend of $1.60, offering a yield of 1.0% to investors. The company’s payout ratio currently stands at 16.10%, underscoring a disciplined approach to returning value to shareholders while retaining earnings for future growth and investment in its core defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets.
Brokerage firms have actively weighed in on Leidos’s prospects, offering varied yet generally positive assessments. Truist Financial, for example, adjusted its target price to $155.00 while maintaining a “buy” rating. Baird R W shifted its stance from “strong-buy” to “hold,” indicating a more cautious outlook. Conversely, Citigroup reaffirmed a “buy” rating, raising its price objective to $190.00. Wells Fargo & Company increased its target price to $200.00 with an “overweight” rating, and Stifel Nicolaus set a $178.00 target price with a “buy” rating. Overall, market data from MarketBeat.com shows Leidos enjoys an average rating of “Moderate Buy” with a consensus target price of $175.15, reflecting broad analyst confidence in the company’s future stock performance.
Insider trading activities also shed light on the company’s internal dynamics. A director recently sold 1,250 shares of Leidos stock on Friday, May 9th, at an average price of $154.55 per share, totaling $193,187.50. Following this transaction, the director’s direct ownership stood at 20,195 shares, valued at approximately $3,121,137.25. This sale represented a 5.83% decrease in their overall ownership, a detail closely watched by market observers. Insiders collectively own 0.96% of the company’s stock, suggesting strong alignment with shareholder interests.
Leidos Holdings, Inc. stands as a key player in providing services and solutions across critical sectors, including defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets both domestically and internationally. The company operates through distinct segments: Defense Solutions, Civil, and Health. The Defense Solutions segment, in particular, delivers national security solutions and systems tailored for air, land, sea, space, and cyberspace, underscoring its pivotal role in national infrastructure. Understanding these operational pillars is essential for grasping the comprehensive scope of Leidos’s market presence and its ongoing relevance in strategic global industries.
