Short Interest in Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:KTOS) Decreases By 21.9%

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:KTOS) was the recipient of a large decrease in short interest during the month of January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 7,018,702 shares, a decrease 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 trading volume of 4,179,693 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.7 days. Based on an average trading volume of 4,179,693 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.7 days. Currently, 4.3% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Trading Up 3.3%

Shares of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions stock traded up $2.91 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $91.97. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 2,400,512 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,452,194. The business has a fifty day moving average of $95.03 and a 200 day moving average of $83.55. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions has a 1-year low of $23.90 and a 1-year high of $134.00. 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 company has a market capitalization of $15.67 billion, a PE ratio of 707.52 and a beta of 1.09.

Insider Activity

In other Kratos Defense & Security Solutions news, CFO Deanna H. Lund sold 30,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $74.08, for a total value of $2,222,400.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer owned 273,285 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $20,244,952.80. This represents a 9.89% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director William A. Hoglund sold 75,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $74.35, for a total transaction of $5,576,250.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 147,193 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $10,943,799.55. This trade represents a 33.75% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold a total of 914,407 shares of company stock worth $74,930,858 in the last three months. Company insiders own 2.37% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Kratos Defense & Security Solutions

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of KTOS. Greenleaf Trust raised its stake in shares of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions by 2.7% in the 4th quarter. Greenleaf Trust now owns 3,830 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $291,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. LVW Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Kratos Defense & Security Solutions by 3.0% during the 4th quarter. LVW Advisors LLC now owns 3,665 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $278,000 after buying an additional 107 shares during the last quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co grew its position in shares of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions by 7.3% in the 4th quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co now owns 1,698 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $129,000 after acquiring an additional 115 shares in the last quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions by 2.1% in the 4th quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 5,918 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $449,000 after acquiring an additional 122 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Parkside Financial Bank & Trust increased its holdings in shares of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions by 6.9% in the 4th quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 1,945 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $148,000 after acquiring an additional 125 shares during the last quarter. 75.92% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

KTOS has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Piper Sandler began coverage on Kratos Defense & Security Solutions in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $99.00 price objective for the company. JonesTrading started coverage on shares of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions in a research note on Monday, January 5th. They set a “buy” rating for the company. B. Riley Financial raised their target price on shares of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions from $105.00 to $128.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, January 9th. BNP Paribas Exane set a $80.00 target price on shares of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on shares of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions from $93.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 20th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $94.71.

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.