StockNews.com Downgrades Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII) to Buy

Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII) was downgraded by investment analysts at StockNews.com from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note issued on Friday.

A number of other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on the company. Barclays lifted their target price on Huntington Ingalls Industries from $280.00 to $290.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on Huntington Ingalls Industries from $288.00 to $295.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, March 21st.

Huntington Ingalls Industries Stock Up 0.4 %

Shares of NYSE HII traded up $1.04 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $246.23. The company had a trading volume of 531,007 shares, compared to its average volume of 406,632. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.75 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.88, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.32 and a beta of 0.60. The company has a quick ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54. Huntington Ingalls Industries has a 1-year low of $188.51 and a 1-year high of $299.50. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $283.26 and its 200-day moving average is $261.54.

Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 2nd. The aerospace company reported $3.87 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.50 by $0.37. Huntington Ingalls Industries had a return on equity of 18.08% and a net margin of 6.09%. The business had revenue of $2.80 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.81 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $3.23 EPS. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts expect that Huntington Ingalls Industries will post 16.35 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, VP D R. Wyatt sold 900 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $263.69, for a total value of $237,321.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 19,100 shares in the company, valued at $5,036,479. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Huntington Ingalls Industries news, VP D R. Wyatt sold 900 shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $263.69, for a total value of $237,321.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 19,100 shares in the company, valued at $5,036,479. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CAO Nicolas G. Schuck sold 1,293 shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $291.28, for a total value of $376,625.04. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 2,250 shares in the company, valued at approximately $655,380. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 8,472 shares of company stock worth $2,398,345. Company insiders own 0.72% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Huntington Ingalls Industries

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Riverview Trust Co acquired a new position in shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries in the first quarter worth approximately $30,000. American National Bank acquired a new position in shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries in the first quarter worth approximately $30,000. Cranbrook Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries in the fourth quarter worth approximately $28,000. Fidelis Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries in the first quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, Larson Financial Group LLC lifted its stake in shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries by 158.5% in the first quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 106 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 65 shares during the period. 90.46% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Huntington Ingalls Industries

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc designs, builds, overhauls, and repairs military ships in the United States. It operates through three segments: Ingalls, Newport News, and Mission Technologies. The company is involved in the design and construction of non-nuclear ships comprising amphibious assault ships; expeditionary warfare ships; surface combatants; and national security cutters for the U.S.