Monday, October 2, 2017

Lockheed Martin Rewards Shareholders With A Raise

Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT), a security and aerospace company, engages in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of technology systems, products, and services worldwide. It operates through four segments: Aeronautics, Missiles and Fire Control, Rotary and Mission Systems, and Space Systems.

The company raised its quarterly dividend by 9.90% to $2/share. This marked the 15th consecutive annual increase for this dividend achiever. Over the past decade, the company has managed to boost distributions at a rate of 18.40%/year. This was supported by growth in earnings per share from $7.29 in 2007 to $12.42 in 2016. Lockheed Martin is expected to earn $12.64/share in 2017.



Currently, the stock is overvalued at 24.50 times forward earnings. The stock yields 2.60%.

The company has benefitted from share buybacks over the past decade. Lockheed Martin managed to reduce the number of shares outstanding from 416 million a decade ago to 291 million in the most recent quarter. Net income from continuing operations increased from $3 billion in 2007 to $3.753 in 2017. Earnings per share also received a large boost, because the valuations were very low a decade ago. Unfortunately, today shares are overvalued, but the company keeps buying them regardless of valuation. I believe that defense contractors are expensive at or above 20 times earnings. I would be interested in the stock when valuations are in the 15 – 16 times earnings range.

Relevant Articles:

Dividend Achievers Offer Income Growth and Capital Appreciation Potential
Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT) Dividend Stock Analysis 2013
Should Dividend Investors be Defensive about these stocks?
How to value dividend stocks

Popular Posts