Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC) Stake Boosted by Advisor OS LLC

Advisor OS LLC boosted its position in shares of Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC) by 0.1% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 47,033 shares of the aerospace company’s stock after acquiring an additional 33 shares during the quarter. Northrop Grumman accounts for 2.6% of Advisor OS LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 6th biggest holding. Advisor OS LLC’s holdings in Northrop Grumman were worth $22,072,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of NOC. RPg Family Wealth Advisory LLC purchased a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman during the 3rd quarter worth $31,000. Albion Financial Group UT bought a new position in Northrop Grumman in the 4th quarter worth $33,000. FSA Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Northrop Grumman during the third quarter valued at $36,000. Modus Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Northrop Grumman during the fourth quarter valued at about $38,000. Finally, Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Northrop Grumman in the third quarter worth about $40,000. Institutional investors own 83.40% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity at Northrop Grumman

In other news, VP Benjamin R. Davies sold 192 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $429.08, for a total transaction of $82,383.36. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 709 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $304,217.72. The trade was a 21.31 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In the last quarter, insiders sold 291 shares of company stock valued at $129,184. Insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on NOC shares. Barclays lowered their price objective on Northrop Grumman from $550.00 to $500.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, January 6th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Northrop Grumman from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Susquehanna reduced their price objective on shares of Northrop Grumman from $625.00 to $557.00 and set a “positive” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Wolfe Research upgraded shares of Northrop Grumman from an “underperform” rating to a “peer perform” rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, Citigroup increased their price target on Northrop Grumman from $587.00 to $591.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, February 10th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Northrop Grumman presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $544.56.

Northrop Grumman Stock Performance

NYSE NOC opened at $461.03 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.96, a current ratio of 1.01 and a quick ratio of 0.91. Northrop Grumman Co. has a 1-year low of $418.60 and a 1-year high of $555.57. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $469.99 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $497.05. The stock has a market capitalization of $66.74 billion, a PE ratio of 16.27, a P/E/G ratio of 3.73 and a beta of 0.35.

Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The aerospace company reported $6.39 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $6.27 by $0.12. Northrop Grumman had a return on equity of 26.24% and a net margin of 10.17%. On average, research analysts predict that Northrop Grumman Co. will post 28.05 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Northrop Grumman declared that its board has authorized a share buyback plan on Wednesday, December 11th that permits the company to buyback $3.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the aerospace company to buy up to 4.3% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are usually a sign that the company’s leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Northrop Grumman Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 19th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 3rd will be given a dividend of $2.06 per share. This represents a $8.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.79%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 3rd. Northrop Grumman’s dividend payout ratio is 29.08%.

Northrop Grumman Company Profile

Northrop Grumman Corporation operates as an aerospace and defense technology company in the United States, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and internationally. The company’s Aeronautics Systems segment designs, develops, manufactures, integrates, and sustains aircraft systems. This segment also offers unmanned autonomous aircraft systems, including high-altitude long-endurance strategic ISR systems and vertical take-off and landing tactical ISR systems; and strategic long-range strike aircraft, tactical fighter and air dominance aircraft, and airborne battle management and command and control systems.