Ascent Group LLC Raises Stock Holdings in Northrop Grumman Corporation $NOC

Key Points

• Ascent Group LLC increased its holdings in Northrop Grumman Corporation by 16.9% in the first quarter, acquiring an additional 749 shares to reach a total of 5,168 shares valued at approximately $2.65 million.
• CEO Kathy J. Warden sold 7,500 shares of Northrop Grumman stock for over $3.79 million, resulting in a 3.59% decrease in her ownership stake.
• Northrop Grumman recently announced a quarterly dividend of $2.31 per share, which represents an annualized yield of 1.6%, with a dividend payout ratio of 34.06%.

Ascent Group LLC raised its stake in shares of Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC - Free Report) by 16.9% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 5,168 shares of the aerospace company's stock after purchasing an additional 749 shares during the period. Ascent Group LLC's holdings in Northrop Grumman were worth $2,646,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of NOC. IMA Advisory Services Inc. purchased a new stake in Northrop Grumman during the 1st quarter valued at $27,000. Saudi Central Bank purchased a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman during the 1st quarter worth about $28,000. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise bought a new position in Northrop Grumman during the 1st quarter valued at about $30,000. Wood Tarver Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in Northrop Grumman in the 4th quarter worth about $32,000. Finally, Hollencrest Capital Management raised its position in Northrop Grumman by 790.0% in the 1st quarter. Hollencrest Capital Management now owns 89 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $45,000 after purchasing an additional 79 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.40% of the company's stock.

Northrop Grumman Stock Down 1.2%

Shares of NYSE NOC traded down $7.04 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $575.91. 717,854 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 959,908. The company has a market cap of $82.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.23, a P/E/G ratio of 5.55 and a beta of 0.13. The stock's 50 day simple moving average is $565.98 and its 200-day simple moving average is $516.94. The company has a quick ratio of 0.93, a current ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.98. Northrop Grumman Corporation has a one year low of $426.24 and a one year high of $600.99.

Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, July 22nd. The aerospace company reported $7.11 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $6.84 by $0.27. Northrop Grumman had a return on equity of 25.52% and a net margin of 9.74%.The company had revenue of $10.35 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.15 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $6.36 earnings per share. Northrop Grumman's revenue was up 1.3% on a year-over-year basis. Northrop Grumman has set its FY 2025 guidance at 25.000-25.400 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Northrop Grumman Corporation will post 28.05 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Northrop Grumman Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 17th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 2nd will be paid a $2.31 dividend. This represents a $9.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.6%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 2nd. Northrop Grumman's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 34.06%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Wells Fargo & Company reissued an "overweight" rating on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research note on Tuesday, July 22nd. Barclays lifted their target price on Northrop Grumman from $500.00 to $580.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 29th. Susquehanna upped their price target on shares of Northrop Grumman from $557.00 to $650.00 and gave the stock a "positive" rating in a report on Tuesday, July 22nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a "hold" rating and issued a $542.00 price target (down previously from $580.00) on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research note on Tuesday, July 8th. Finally, Truist Financial reissued a "buy" rating and issued a $625.00 price objective (up from $550.00) on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research report on Wednesday, July 23rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have assigned a Buy rating and eight have assigned a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $588.85.

Northrop Grumman 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.