Leidos Holdings stock gains on analyst targets and fresh guidance

Published on 09/11/2026 at 21:44 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

Leidos Holdings stock closed at USD 129.54 on the NYSE on September 10, 2026, about 28.3 percent below its level at the start of the year. Analysts now see an average 12-month price target of USD 162.93 alongside fiscal 2026 EPS guidance of USD 12.20 to USD 12.50.

Modernes Kontrollzentrum mit Monitoren bei Nacht, symbolisch für Leidos Holdings Verteidigungstechnologie — Fotorealistisches Bild zeigt Leidos Holdings ISIN US5253271028 in modernem Kontrollzentrum mit Bildschirmen bei Daemmerung, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

Leidos Holdings, Inc. (ISIN US5253271028) stock closed at USD 129.54 on the NYSE on September 10, 2026, after a 1.10 percent gain that left the shares well below their level at the beginning of 2026. According to MarketBeat on September 11, 2026, analysts maintain a Hold consensus on Leidos with an average 12-month price target of USD 162.93 and fiscal 2026 EPS guidance in a range of USD 12.20 to USD 12.50.

Analysts back Leidos with upside potential

According to MarketBeat on September 11, 2026, Leidos Holdings carries an average analyst price objective of USD 162.93 over the next 12 months, compared with the recent closing price of USD 129.54 on September 10, 2026, implying upside of roughly one quarter from current levels.

The same overview from MarketBeat notes that seventeen firms cover Leidos, with ten rating the shares Hold, six assigning Buy and one Strong Buy. For investors, that split signals confidence in the long-term growth story but also some caution after the stock’s decline from USD 180.61 at the beginning of 2026 to USD 129.54 by September 10, 2026, a drop of 28.3 percent over the year to date.

Recent earnings beat and 2026 guidance

As summarized by MarketBeat on September 11, 2026, Leidos recently reported quarterly earnings with earnings per share of USD 3.26, clearly above the consensus expectation of USD 2.91 by USD 0.35 per share. In the same quarter, revenue came in at USD 4.56 billion, up 7.2 percent year over year, underscoring solid demand in the company’s defense, intelligence, civil and health customer base.

Looking ahead, Leidos has set guidance for fiscal 2026 earnings per share in a range of USD 12.20 to USD 12.50, according to MarketBeat. The average analyst forecast for the current fiscal year stands at EPS of USD 12.38, placing expectations toward the upper end of the company’s range and reflecting confidence that the recent earnings momentum can be sustained.

Dividend and shareholder returns

Beyond earnings, Leidos is returning cash to shareholders. According to MarketBeat on September 11, 2026, the company declared a quarterly dividend of USD 0.43 per share, which corresponds to an annualized payout of USD 1.72 and a dividend yield of about 1.3 percent at recent prices. The dividend payout ratio is cited at 16.04 percent, leaving ample room for reinvestment in growth and potential further capital returns.

The same report from MarketBeat notes that Leidos also authorized a share buyback program covering up to 20 million shares. For shareholders, the combination of a growing dividend and buyback authorization can help support earnings per share and offer a buffer against market volatility.

Stock performance and valuation context

Leidos shares have seen notable swings in 2026. According to MarketBeat, the stock traded at USD 180.61 at the beginning of 2026 and declined to USD 129.54 by the close on September 10, 2026, representing a 28.3 percent drop over that period. That pullback leaves the shares trading below the average analyst price target of USD 162.93, suggesting that the market is discounting some combination of execution risk, budget uncertainty or broader sector pressure.

Data from MarketBeat classify Leidos within the Industrials sector and the Professional Services industry, with a focus on research and consulting services in government-related markets. For investors comparing across peers, that positioning means Leidos’s valuation and growth prospects are often assessed alongside other defense and technology services names exposed to long-term US government spending trends.

Current price snapshot

Leidos Holdings stock last closed at USD 129.54 on the NYSE on September 10, 2026, with a daily increase of USD 1.41 or 1.10 percent compared with the previous close, based on data from MarketBeat. That price level is the reference point for the current analyst targets and sits noticeably below the consensus objective of USD 162.93 over the next year.