Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:KTOS) Sees Significant Decline in Short Interest

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:KTOS) was the target of a significant drop in short interest in January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 7,018,702 shares, a drop of 21.9% from the January 15th total of 8,985,095 shares. Currently, 4.3% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 4,179,693 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.7 days. Based on an average daily volume of 4,179,693 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.7 days. Currently, 4.3% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. BTIG Research raised their price target on Kratos Defense & Security Solutions from $80.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Jones Trading assumed coverage on Kratos Defense & Security Solutions in a research note on Monday, January 5th. They set a “buy” rating for the company. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. Truist Financial set a $135.00 price target on shares of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions in a report on Friday, January 9th. Finally, Noble Financial reissued an “outperform” rating on shares of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have given a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $95.28.

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Stock Up 2.3%

Shares of NASDAQ:KTOS traded up $2.01 during trading on Monday, hitting $89.06. The stock had a trading volume of 1,764,829 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,452,194. The company has a market capitalization of $15.17 billion, a PE ratio of 685.13 and a beta of 1.09. The company has a quick ratio of 3.68, a current ratio of 4.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $94.49 and its 200 day moving average is $83.08. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions has a 12 month low of $23.90 and a 12 month high of $134.00.

Insider Buying and Selling at Kratos Defense & Security Solutions

In other news, Director Scot B. Jarvis sold 5,000 shares of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $88.40, for a total transaction of $442,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 95,417 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $8,434,862.80. The trade was a 4.98% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Steven S. Fendley sold 7,000 shares of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $107.97, for a total value of $755,790.00. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 341,631 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $36,885,899.07. This trade represents a 2.01% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold a total of 914,407 shares of company stock valued at $74,930,858 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 2.37% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of KTOS. Bayforest Capital Ltd purchased a new stake in Kratos Defense & Security Solutions in the third quarter worth about $32,000. Caitlin John LLC bought a new stake in shares of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $32,000. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp boosted its position in shares of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions by 7,600.0% in the 4th quarter. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp now owns 385 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 380 shares in the last quarter. Whittier Trust Co. purchased a new stake in shares of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $38,000. Finally, Accredited Wealth Management LLC increased its position in Kratos Defense & Security Solutions by 193.5% during the 3rd quarter. Accredited Wealth Management LLC now owns 408 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 269 shares in the last quarter. 75.92% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Kratos Defense & Security Solutions

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc (NASDAQ: KTOS) is a technology-driven company that specializes in national security and defense solutions for government and military customers. The firm’s core capabilities span unmanned systems, satellite communications, missile defense, cyber security, and directed-energy weapons. Through its integrated approach, Kratos delivers mission-critical products and services designed to enhance operational readiness and support force modernization initiatives.

In the unmanned systems arena, Kratos develops high-performance aerial platforms used as target drones, low-cost attritable aircraft and experimental stealth demonstrators.