Zacks Research Weighs in on Leidos Holdings, Inc.’s Q3 2026 Earnings (NYSE:LDOS)

Leidos Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:LDOS) – Zacks Research lowered their Q3 2026 earnings estimates for Leidos in a report issued on Tuesday, October 8th. Zacks Research analyst A. Dutta now forecasts that the aerospace company will earn $2.43 per share for the quarter, down from their previous estimate of $2.52. The consensus estimate for Leidos’ current full-year earnings is $8.95 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Leidos’ FY2026 earnings at $9.85 EPS.

A number of other analysts have also weighed in on the stock. TD Cowen upped their target price on shares of Leidos from $155.00 to $166.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. Barclays upped their target price on shares of Leidos from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, August 5th. Bank of America upped their target price on shares of Leidos from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 7th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of Leidos from $172.00 to $183.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 1st. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on shares of Leidos from $140.00 to $145.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Leidos has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $166.92.

Leidos Stock Up 1.6 %

LDOS stock opened at $167.20 on Friday. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $155.38 and its 200 day moving average price is $146.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.21. Leidos has a fifty-two week low of $90.30 and a fifty-two week high of $168.02. The firm has a market capitalization of $22.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 72.07, a PEG ratio of 1.50 and a beta of 0.70.

Leidos (NYSE:LDOS) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, July 30th. The aerospace company reported $2.63 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.27 by $0.36. Leidos had a net margin of 2.72% and a return on equity of 28.40%. The firm had revenue of $4.13 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.06 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.80 earnings per share. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 7.7% compared to the same quarter last year.

Leidos Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 13th were issued a $0.38 dividend. This represents a $1.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.91%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, September 13th. Leidos’s payout ratio is currently 65.52%.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Thomas Arthur Bell acquired 1,712 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 1st. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $145.04 per share, with a total value of $248,308.48. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer now owns 22,398 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,248,605.92. The trade was a 0.00 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, Director Gary Stephen May sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $144.02, for a total transaction of $144,020.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 11,264 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,622,241.28. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, CEO Thomas Arthur Bell purchased 1,712 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 1st. The shares were bought at an average cost of $145.04 per share, with a total value of $248,308.48. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer now owns 22,398 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,248,605.92. This trade represents a 0.00 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.96% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Leidos

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of LDOS. 1832 Asset Management L.P. acquired a new stake in shares of Leidos during the second quarter worth $34,000. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Leidos by 251.3% during the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 281 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $41,000 after purchasing an additional 201 shares during the period. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV lifted its holdings in Leidos by 122.5% in the second quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 307 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $45,000 after acquiring an additional 169 shares during the period. Kathleen S. Wright Associates Inc. acquired a new stake in Leidos in the third quarter valued at $46,000. Finally, Family Firm Inc. acquired a new stake in Leidos in the second quarter valued at $60,000. 76.12% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Leidos

Leidos Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides services and solutions in the defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Defense Solutions, Civil, and Health segments. The Defense Solutions segment offers national security solutions and systems for air, land, sea, space, and cyberspace for the U.S.