Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:KTOS) Sees Significant Growth 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 daily trading volume, of 1,040,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.8 days.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts recently issued reports on the company. JMP Securities upped their target price on Kratos Defense & Security Solutions from $27.00 to $30.00 and gave the company a “market outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, November 11th. Truist Financial reissued a “buy” rating and set a $27.00 target price (up from $25.00) on shares of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions in a research note on Thursday, September 26th. StockNews.com raised Kratos Defense & Security Solutions from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 27th. Benchmark reissued a “buy” rating and set a $25.00 target price on shares of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions in a research note on Friday, September 13th. Finally, B. Riley downgraded Kratos Defense & Security Solutions from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and increased their target price for the stock from $24.00 to $26.00 in a research note on Wednesday, October 30th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $25.40.

Insider Activity at Kratos Defense & Security Solutions

In other news, SVP Benjamin M. Goodwin sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.71, for a total value of $138,550.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 37,327 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,034,331.17. This represents a 11.81 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Steven S. Fendley sold 7,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $23.37, for a total value of $163,590.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 363,417 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,493,055.29. The trade was a 1.89 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 71,620 shares of company stock worth $1,727,730. 2.27% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Kratos Defense & Security Solutions

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Contravisory Investment Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions by 68.7% during the 3rd quarter. Contravisory Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,090 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 444 shares in the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC raised its position in Kratos Defense & Security Solutions by 582.3% during the third quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 1,078 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 920 shares in the last quarter. MFA Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in Kratos Defense & Security Solutions during the second quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd bought a new position in shares of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions in the second quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Finally, Truvestments Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions in the third quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.92% of the company’s stock.

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Price Performance

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions stock traded down $0.27 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $26.82. 318,075 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,128,568. The firm has a market cap of $4.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 267.03 and a beta of 1.07. The company has a quick ratio of 2.61, a current ratio of 3.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $24.86 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $22.51. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions has a 1-year low of $16.71 and a 1-year high of $28.62.

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.