2,392 Shares in Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC) Purchased by Empire Financial Management Company LLC

Empire Financial Management Company LLC bought a new stake in shares of Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 2,392 shares of the aerospace company's stock, valued at approximately $1,123,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of NOC. Tudor Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Northrop Grumman in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $1,130,000. Anchor Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Northrop Grumman by 21.5% during the third quarter. Anchor Investment Management LLC now owns 1,504 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $794,000 after acquiring an additional 266 shares in the last quarter. Stock Yards Bank & Trust Co. raised its position in shares of Northrop Grumman by 9.1% in the 3rd quarter. Stock Yards Bank & Trust Co. now owns 745 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $393,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares during the last quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB increased its stake in Northrop Grumman by 274.1% during the 3rd quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB now owns 2,566 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $1,355,000 after purchasing an additional 1,880 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Tidal Investments LLC grew its holdings in shares of Northrop Grumman by 41.8% during the third quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 5,403 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $2,853,000 after buying an additional 1,593 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.40% of the company's stock.

Northrop Grumman Price Performance

NOC traded down $1.98 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $481.33. 328,804 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,120,319. Northrop Grumman Co. has a 12-month low of $418.60 and a 12-month high of $555.57. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $492.65 and a 200 day simple moving average of $489.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.96, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a current ratio of 1.01. The company has a market cap of $69.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.98, a PEG ratio of 3.73 and a beta of 0.20.

Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 22nd. The aerospace company reported $6.06 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $6.33 by ($0.27). The company had revenue of $9.47 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $10.07 billion. Northrop Grumman had a return on equity of 26.24% and a net margin of 10.17%. On average, equities analysts forecast that Northrop Grumman Co. will post 28.05 EPS for the current year.

Northrop Grumman Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 19th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were issued a dividend of $2.06 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $8.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.71%. Northrop Grumman's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 32.52%.

Insider Activity at Northrop Grumman

In related news, VP Benjamin R. Davies sold 464 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Friday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $460.75, for a total value of $213,788.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 245 shares in the company, valued at $112,883.75. This trade represents a 65.44 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Kathy J. Warden sold 3,750 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $475.65, for a total transaction of $1,783,687.50. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 212,852 shares in the company, valued at approximately $101,243,053.80. This represents a 1.73 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 4,505 shares of company stock valued at $2,127,182. 0.23% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on NOC shares. UBS Group decreased their price target on Northrop Grumman from $583.00 to $571.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 23rd. Argus upgraded shares of Northrop Grumman to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 26th. Susquehanna lowered their price objective on shares of Northrop Grumman from $557.00 to $540.00 and set a "positive" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Wolfe Research raised shares of Northrop Grumman from an "underperform" rating to a "peer perform" rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Northrop Grumman from a "sell" rating to a "neutral" rating and raised their price target for the stock from $424.00 to $521.00 in a research note on Friday, April 11th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $545.31.

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.