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

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:KTOS) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in the month of November. As of November 15th, there was short interest totalling 3,930,000 shares, a growth of 22.8% from the October 31st total of 3,200,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 1,040,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.8 days.

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Stock Down 1.4 %

Shares of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions stock traded down $0.39 on Monday, hitting $26.70. The company had a trading volume of 287,515 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,128,313. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions has a twelve month low of $16.71 and a twelve month high of $28.62. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $24.86 and a 200-day moving average of $22.51. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 270.93 and a beta of 1.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a current ratio of 3.22 and a quick ratio of 2.61.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com raised shares of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 27th. Benchmark reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $25.00 target price on shares of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions in a research note on Friday, September 13th. Robert W. Baird boosted their target price on shares of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions from $22.00 to $35.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, September 23rd. Truist Financial reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $27.00 target price (up from $25.00) on shares of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions in a research note on Thursday, September 26th. Finally, JMP Securities boosted their target price on shares of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions from $27.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock a “market outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, November 11th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $25.40.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Kratos Defense & Security Solutions news, SVP Marie Mendoza sold 1,355 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, September 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.12, for a total value of $29,972.60. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 61,963 shares in the company, valued at $1,370,621.56. This trade represents a 2.14 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Phillip D. Carrai sold 3,500 shares of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.14, for a total transaction of $77,490.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 272,570 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,034,699.80. This trade represents a 1.27 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 71,620 shares of company stock worth $1,727,730 in the last quarter. 2.27% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Comerica Bank boosted its holdings in Kratos Defense & Security Solutions by 627.9% during the first quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 49,636 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $912,000 after purchasing an additional 42,817 shares during the last quarter. L & S Advisors Inc bought a new stake in Kratos Defense & Security Solutions during the third quarter worth $1,220,000. GSA Capital Partners LLP bought a new stake in Kratos Defense & Security Solutions during the third quarter worth $607,000. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. raised its position in Kratos Defense & Security Solutions by 272.8% during the second quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 432,526 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $8,655,000 after acquiring an additional 316,500 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Toth Financial Advisory Corp bought a new stake in Kratos Defense & Security Solutions during the third quarter worth $678,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.92% of the company’s stock.

About Kratos Defense & Security Solutions

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc operates as a technology company that addresses the defense, national security, and commercial markets. It operates through two segments, Kratos Government Solutions and Unmanned Systems. The company offers ground systems for satellites and space vehicles, including software for command and control, telemetry, and tracking and control; jet-powered unmanned aerial drone systems, hypersonic vehicles, and rocket systems; propulsion systems for drones, missiles, loitering munitions, supersonic systems, spacecraft, and launch systems; command, control, communication, computing, combat, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance; and microwave electronic products for missile, radar, missile defense, space, and satellite; counter unmanned aircraft systems, directed energy, communication and other systems, and virtual and augmented reality training systems for the warfighter.