Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:KTOS) Given Consensus Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Shares of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:KTOS) have been assigned a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the ten ratings firms that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, six have given a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $32.67.

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on KTOS shares. Robert W. Baird upped their price target on Kratos Defense & Security Solutions from $35.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 14th. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price target on Kratos Defense & Security Solutions from $37.00 to $32.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, February 27th. StockNews.com downgraded Kratos Defense & Security Solutions from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Saturday, March 8th. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on Kratos Defense & Security Solutions from $25.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, December 13th. Finally, JMP Securities restated an “outperform” rating on shares of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions in a report on Tuesday, February 4th.

Insider Transactions at Kratos Defense & Security Solutions

In related news, insider David M. Carter sold 4,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, January 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $26.49, for a total value of $105,960.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 103,430 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,739,860.70. This represents a 3.72 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, VP De Burgreen Maria Cervantes sold 19,528 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $30.00, for a total value of $585,840.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 51,121 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,533,630. This trade represents a 27.64 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 110,196 shares of company stock valued at $3,144,160. 2.27% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. WealthPlan Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions in the 4th quarter valued at about $461,000. Cornell Pochily Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in Kratos Defense & Security Solutions during the 4th quarter worth approximately $207,000. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC lifted its position in Kratos Defense & Security Solutions by 15.0% during the 3rd quarter. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC now owns 665,285 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $15,501,000 after acquiring an additional 86,567 shares during the period. MRA Advisory Group acquired a new stake in Kratos Defense & Security Solutions during the 4th quarter worth approximately $448,000. Finally, Robertson Stephens Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in Kratos Defense & Security Solutions by 121.3% during the 4th quarter. Robertson Stephens Wealth Management LLC now owns 30,371 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $801,000 after acquiring an additional 16,650 shares during the period. 75.92% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Price Performance

KTOS stock opened at $30.81 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 3.22, a quick ratio of 2.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. The company has a market capitalization of $4.71 billion, a PE ratio of 308.13 and a beta of 1.12. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions has a 12-month low of $17.05 and a 12-month high of $35.66. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $30.45 and its 200 day moving average price is $27.09.

About Kratos Defense & Security Solutions

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc engages in the provision of mission critical products, services and solutions for United States national security priorities. It operates through the Kratos Government Solutions (KGS) and Unmanned Systems (US) segments. The KGS segment consists of an aggregation of KGS operating segments, including microwave electronic products, space, satellite and cyber, training solutions.