Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) Director Sells $65,029.40 in Stock

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) Director Mark Welsh III sold 95 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $684.52, for a total transaction of $65,029.40. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 4,203 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,877,037.56. This trade represents a 2.21% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website.

Northrop Grumman Price Performance

Shares of NOC opened at $696.29 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a current ratio of 1.10. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $609.74 and a 200-day moving average price of $593.25. Northrop Grumman Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $426.24 and a fifty-two week high of $709.39. The stock has a market capitalization of $98.82 billion, a PE ratio of 23.90, a PEG ratio of 5.12 and a beta of 0.04.

Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The aerospace company reported $7.23 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $6.97 by $0.26. Northrop Grumman had a return on equity of 25.57% and a net margin of 9.97%.The company had revenue of $11.71 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.61 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $6.39 earnings per share. Northrop Grumman’s revenue 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 analysts predict that Northrop Grumman Corporation will post 28.05 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Northrop Grumman Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 17th. Investors of record on Monday, December 1st were given a $2.31 dividend. This represents a $9.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 1st. Northrop Grumman’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 31.72%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Northrop Grumman

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of NOC. Financial Life Planners acquired a new stake in Northrop Grumman during the third quarter worth about $27,000. Torren Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Northrop Grumman during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. raised its position in shares of Northrop Grumman by 200.0% during the 3rd quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 48 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 32 shares during the period. Parvin Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Northrop Grumman in the second quarter worth approximately $25,000. Finally, Hopwood Financial Services Inc. purchased a new stake in Northrop Grumman in the third quarter valued at $30,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.40% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

NOC has been the subject of a number of research reports. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price target on Northrop Grumman from $715.00 to $750.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Bank of America lifted their target price on Northrop Grumman from $685.00 to $750.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. BNP Paribas Exane began coverage on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research report on Tuesday, November 18th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $710.00 price target for the company. Truist Financial reiterated a “hold” rating and issued a $623.00 price objective (down previously from $688.00) on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research note on Friday, January 9th. Finally, BTIG Research upped their price target on shares of Northrop Grumman from $680.00 to $815.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $688.79.

About Northrop Grumman

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.