BTIG Research Issues Positive Forecast for Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) Stock Price

Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) had its target price lifted by BTIG Research from $680.00 to $815.00 in a report released on Wednesday morning, MarketBeat.com reports. BTIG Research currently has a buy rating on the aerospace company’s stock.

A number of other brokerages also recently commented on NOC. Sanford C. Bernstein restated a “market perform” rating and issued a $727.00 target price on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research note on Monday, January 12th. BNP Paribas Exane began coverage on Northrop Grumman in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $710.00 price objective on the stock. Morgan Stanley reiterated an “overweight” rating and issued a $714.00 target price on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research note on Tuesday, December 16th. Vertical Research restated a “hold” rating and set a $688.00 price target on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of Northrop Grumman from $575.00 to $640.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $685.11.

Northrop Grumman Price Performance

NYSE NOC opened at $689.05 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 1.10 and a quick ratio of 0.98. The firm has a market capitalization of $98.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.79, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.73 and a beta of 0.05. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $594.57 and a 200-day simple moving average of $586.47. Northrop Grumman has a 52-week low of $426.24 and a 52-week high of $690.74.

Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The aerospace company reported $7.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $6.97 by $0.26. Northrop Grumman had a net margin of 9.97% and a return on equity of 25.57%. The company had revenue of $11.71 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.61 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $6.39 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 9.6% on a year-over-year basis. Northrop Grumman has set its FY 2026 guidance at 27.400-27.900 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Northrop Grumman will post 28.05 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Northrop Grumman Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 1st were given a $2.31 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 1st. This represents a $9.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.3%. Northrop Grumman’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 33.24%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Mark A. Welsh III sold 97 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, November 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $564.08, for a total transaction of $54,715.76. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 4,281 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,414,826.48. This represents a 2.22% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Kathy J. Warden sold 3,000 shares of Northrop Grumman stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $615.00, for a total transaction of $1,845,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 191,602 shares in the company, valued at $117,835,230. This trade represents a 1.54% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 10,097 shares of company stock valued at $6,099,716 over the last 90 days. 0.23% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Northrop Grumman

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Financial Life Planners acquired a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman during the third quarter worth approximately $27,000. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. increased its position in Northrop Grumman by 200.0% during the third quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 48 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 32 shares during the period. Parvin Asset Management LLC bought a new position in Northrop Grumman during the second quarter worth $25,000. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. acquired a new position in Northrop Grumman during the 3rd quarter valued at $30,000. Finally, KERR FINANCIAL PLANNING Corp bought a new stake in Northrop Grumman in the 3rd quarter valued at $32,000. Institutional investors own 83.40% of the company’s stock.

Key Stories Impacting Northrop Grumman

Here are the key news stories impacting Northrop Grumman this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 beat, margins and backlog reinforce demand — NOC reported Q4 EPS above estimates ($7.23 vs. ~$6.97), revenue up ~9.6% YoY and a record backlog (~$95.7B). Improved operating margins and strong free cash flow pressured by defense and aeronautics strength are being viewed as durable earnings drivers. Northrop Grumman posts higher quarterly profit as geopolitical uncertainty fuels demand
• Positive Sentiment: Technical breakout and institutional inflows — MarketBeat highlights a breakout from a consolidation range and a confirmed buy signal after the earnings release, which attracted renewed buying and helped validate upside momentum. That technical confirmation is supporting the rally. Northrop Grumman Flashed a Buy Signal—And the Market Backed It Up
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst upgrades and higher targets — Multiple shops (Citigroup, BTIG, BofA among others) raised price targets and reiterated Buy ratings after the report, giving the stock further support from the sell‑side. Analyst price-target/upgrade coverage summary
• Neutral Sentiment: Cautious FY‑2026 guidance — Management set FY‑2026 EPS guidance of $27.40–$27.90 and revenue guidance slightly below Street consensus, which investors interpret as conservative given the backlog; the guidance tempers but does not erase the positive Q4 print. Northrop Grumman Posts Q4 Beat, 2026 Outlook Disappoints
• Neutral Sentiment: Strategic contracts and partnerships provide runway — Company commentary and coverage note continued contract wins and international partnerships across aeronautics and space that support medium‑term revenue visibility, but these are longer‑dated catalysts. Northrop Grumman Builds Momentum With Strategic Contracts and Global Defense Partnerships
• Negative Sentiment: Buyback pause to accelerate B‑21 production — Management signaled a pause/shift in buybacks to prioritize accelerating B‑21 production, which reduces near‑term capital return and may concern income/return-focused holders. Northrop Grumman Expects Agreement Soon To Accelerate B-21 Production; Pausing Buybacks
• Negative Sentiment: Insider selling noted — Recent filings show insider sales (including at senior levels), which can be interpreted as a minor near‑term headwind for sentiment even if not indicative of company fundamentals. QuiverQuant earnings/insider activity summary

Northrop Grumman Company Profile

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) is a leading U.S.-based aerospace and defense company that designs, builds and sustains advanced systems, products and technologies for government and commercial customers. Formed through the combination of Northrop and Grumman businesses in the 1990s, the company’s portfolio spans manned and unmanned aircraft, space systems, missile defense, radar and sensor systems, and integrated command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) solutions.

The company’s work includes airframe and platform manufacturing, space hardware and satellite systems, advanced mission systems and cybersecurity services, as well as logistics, sustainment and modernization programs.