Alliant Techsystems Inc (ATK): Today's Featured Aerospace/Defense Loser

Alliant Techsystems (ATK) pushed the Aerospace/Defense industry lower today making it today's featured Aerospace/Defense loser. The industry as a whole closed the day up 0.5%. By the end of trading, Alliant Techsystems fell $1.31 (-2.5%) to $49.99 on heavy volume. Throughout the day, 612,775 shares of Alliant Techsystems exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 346,500 shares. The stock ranged in price between $49.67-$51.34 after having opened the day at $50.90 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $51.30. Other company's within the Aerospace/Defense industry that declined today were: Astrotech Corporation (ASTC), down 4.4%, Ducommun (DCO), down 2.3%, and TAT Technologies (TATT), down 2.2%.

Alliant Techsystems Inc. engages in the supply of aerospace and defense products to the U.S. government, allied nations, and prime contractors. The company also supplies ammunition and related accessories to law enforcement agencies and commercial customers. Alliant Techsystems has a market cap of $1.71 billion and is part of the industrial goods sector. The company has a P/E ratio of 5.9, below the average aerospace/defense industry P/E ratio of 6.5 and below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are down 10.3% year to date as of the close of trading on Tuesday. Currently there are three analysts that rate Alliant Techsystems a buy, two analysts rate it a sell, and five rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates Alliant Techsystems as a hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, attractive valuation levels and largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including feeble growth in the company's earnings per share, poor profit margins and weak operating cash flow.

• You can view the full Alliant Techsystems Ratings Report.

On the positive front, Heico Corporation (HEI), up 8.8%, Edac Technologies Corporation (EDAC), up 7.9%, Heico Corporation (HEI.A), up 4.6%, and Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (SWHC), up 4.1%, were all gainers within the aerospace/defense industry with Honeywell International (HON) being today's featured aerospace/defense industry winner.

• Use our aerospace/defense section to find industry-relevant news.
• Or find some new ideas from our top rated stocks lists.

For investors not wanting singular stock exposure, ETFs may be of interest. Investors who are bullish on the aerospace/defense industry could consider iShares DJ US Aerospace & Def Idx (ITA) while those bearish on the aerospace/defense industry could consider ProShares Short Dow 30 (DOG).

• Find other investment ideas from our top rated ETFs lists.

For more information on Alliant Techsystems Inc click any of the following:

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