Cambria Investment Management L.P. acquired a new stake in shares of Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC - Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund acquired 2,125 shares of the aerospace company's stock, valued at approximately $1,295,000.
Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Howard Financial Services LTD. boosted its position in shares of Northrop Grumman by 1.5% during the third quarter. Howard Financial Services LTD. now owns 1,127 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $687,000 after purchasing an additional 17 shares in the last quarter. West Wealth Group LLC raised its holdings in Northrop Grumman by 4.3% in the third quarter. West Wealth Group LLC now owns 412 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $251,000 after purchasing an additional 17 shares in the last quarter. King Luther Capital Management Corp lifted its position in Northrop Grumman by 1.5% during the second quarter. King Luther Capital Management Corp now owns 1,243 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $621,000 after buying an additional 18 shares during the period. Dakota Community Bank & Trust NA boosted its holdings in shares of Northrop Grumman by 6.9% during the 3rd quarter. Dakota Community Bank & Trust NA now owns 278 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $169,000 after buying an additional 18 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Chesley Taft & Associates LLC grew its position in shares of Northrop Grumman by 1.3% in the 3rd quarter. Chesley Taft & Associates LLC now owns 1,375 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $838,000 after buying an additional 18 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.40% of the company's stock.
Northrop Grumman Price Performance
Shares of NOC opened at $756.13 on Thursday. Northrop Grumman Corporation has a twelve month low of $450.13 and a twelve month high of $774.00. The company has a market capitalization of $107.31 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.96, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.64 and a beta of 0.03. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $668.63 and a 200 day moving average of $612.23. The company has a quick ratio of 1.01, a current ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91.
Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 27th. The aerospace company reported $7.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.97 by $0.26. The business had revenue of $11.71 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $11.61 billion. Northrop Grumman had a return on equity of 25.57% and a net margin of 9.97%.The firm's quarterly revenue was up 9.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $6.39 EPS. Northrop Grumman has set its FY 2026 guidance at 27.400-27.900 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Northrop Grumman Corporation will post 28.05 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Northrop Grumman Announces Dividend
The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 11th. Investors of record on Monday, February 23rd will be given a dividend of $2.31 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, February 23rd. This represents a $9.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.2%. Northrop Grumman's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 31.72%.
Insiders Place Their Bets
In related news, CEO Kathy J. Warden sold 20,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $708.82, for a total transaction of $14,176,400.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 171,602 shares in the company, valued at $121,634,929.64. This represents a 10.44% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CAO Michael A. Hardesty sold 147 shares of Northrop Grumman stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $732.98, for a total transaction of $107,748.06. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer directly owned 2,525 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,850,774.50. This trade represents a 5.50% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold a total of 32,431 shares of company stock valued at $21,969,404 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 0.23% of the company's stock.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In
NOC has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. BNP Paribas Exane started 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. Citigroup lifted their target price on shares of Northrop Grumman from $715.00 to $781.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Sanford C. Bernstein restated a "market perform" rating and issued a $727.00 price target on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research note on Monday, January 12th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on Northrop Grumman from $630.00 to $690.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research report on Sunday, February 1st. Finally, Argus set a $785.00 target price on Northrop Grumman in a report on Tuesday, February 10th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $693.60.
View Our Latest Report on NOC
Key Northrop Grumman News
Here are the key news stories impacting Northrop Grumman this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Record backlog, solid results and 2026 guidance boost visibility — Northrop reported stronger-than-expected Q4 results, raised FY‑2026 guidance (EPS $27.40–$27.90) and is carrying a ~ $95.7B backlog, which supports multi-year revenue visibility and helped drive recent rallies. Northrop Grumman (NOC) Is Up 5.9% After Record Backlog and 2026 Guidance Update - What's Changed
- Positive Sentiment: New space/defense contract activity (DARC Site 2) reinforces classified, high‑margin program pipeline — a Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability hardware order signals continued Space Force spending on GEO tracking, strengthening Northrop’s positioning in space surveillance and classified programs. Northrop Grumman’s (NOC) DARC Site 2 Hardware Order Shows the Space Force is Still Building Out GEO Tracking Capacity
- Neutral Sentiment: Sector narrative and durable secular tailwinds — market analysis pieces place NOC as a core holding in a “tech‑forward” defense theme (AI, unmanned systems, space), highlighting its dividend history and valuation as a more defensive way to play rising defense budgets. This is thematic support rather than a discrete catalyst. Defense Stocks: Rockets, Radars, and Record Backlogs (NOC)
- Negative Sentiment: Short‑term volatility from geopolitical escalation — fresh strikes and tensions in the Middle East have produced both rallies (anticipation of more defense spending) and intraday pullbacks; the sector’s quick swings can trim gains and create risk for near‑term holders. Media coverage shows stocks moving rapidly with headlines, which can pressure NOC in the short term. Don't underestimate the role of Palantir, AI in Iran conflict
Northrop Grumman Company Profile
(
Free Report)
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.
Further Reading

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