Equitable Holdings Inc. Makes New $4.92 Million Investment in Northrop Grumman Corporation $NOC

Key Points

• Equitable Holdings initiated a $4.92 million position in Northrop Grumman during the second quarter by purchasing 9,669 shares. Institutional investors collectively own 83.4% of the company.
• Northrop Grumman reported quarterly EPS of $7.68, exceeding estimates of $6.82, while revenue rose 5.1% year over year to $10.88 billion. The company reaffirmed fiscal 2026 EPS guidance of $28.60–$29.10.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $2.47, equivalent to $9.88 annually and a 1.8% yield. Analysts maintain a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating with an average price target of $661.30.

Equitable Holdings Inc. purchased a new position in Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC - Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 9,669 shares of the aerospace company's stock, valued at approximately $4,925,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of NOC. Kestra Investment Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Northrop Grumman by 4.4% in the 4th quarter. Kestra Investment Management LLC now owns 353 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $201,000 after buying an additional 15 shares in the last quarter. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Northrop Grumman by 6.8% in the 4th quarter. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. now owns 235 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $134,000 after purchasing an additional 15 shares during the last quarter. Diversified Portfolios Inc. boosted its holdings in Northrop Grumman by 0.9% in the fourth quarter. Diversified Portfolios Inc. now owns 1,789 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $1,020,000 after purchasing an additional 16 shares in the last quarter. South Plains Financial Inc. raised its holdings in Northrop Grumman by 1.8% during the fourth quarter. South Plains Financial Inc. now owns 896 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $511,000 after buying an additional 16 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Tobias Financial Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in Northrop Grumman by 4.7% during the fourth quarter. Tobias Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 379 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $216,000 after buying an additional 17 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.40% of the company's stock.

Northrop Grumman Stock Down 1.0%

Shares of NOC stock opened at $544.68 on Friday. Northrop Grumman Corporation has a one year low of $479.02 and a one year high of $774.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 1.17 and a quick ratio of 1.06. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $541.85 and a 200 day moving average price of $605.19. The stock has a market cap of $77.36 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.30, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.56 and a beta of -0.11.

Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, July 21st. The aerospace company reported $7.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $6.82 by $0.86. Northrop Grumman had a return on equity of 24.25% and a net margin of 10.48%.The business had revenue of $10.88 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $10.80 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $8.15 EPS. Northrop Grumman's quarterly revenue was up 5.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Northrop Grumman has set its FY 2026 guidance at 28.600-29.100 EPS. Analysts predict that Northrop Grumman Corporation will post 28.97 earnings per share for the current year.

Northrop Grumman Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 31st will be given a $2.47 dividend. This represents a $9.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 31st. Northrop Grumman's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 31.39%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have recently commented on NOC shares. Sanford C. Bernstein reissued a "market perform" rating and set a $653.00 price objective on shares of Northrop Grumman in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. Susquehanna lowered their price target on Northrop Grumman from $785.00 to $655.00 and set a "positive" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $615.00 price objective on Northrop Grumman in a research report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company restated an "overweight" rating and issued a $620.00 price objective on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research note on Wednesday, July 8th. Finally, Citigroup upped their target price on shares of Northrop Grumman from $617.00 to $667.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, August 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Northrop Grumman presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $661.30.

Insider Transactions at Northrop Grumman

In other news, Director Mark A. Welsh III sold 95 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $547.53, for a total value of $52,015.35. Following the transaction, the director owned 4,393 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,405,299.29. This trade represents a 2.12% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. 0.21% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Northrop Grumman Profile

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.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.

Continue following MarketBeat

Add MarketBeat as your preferred source on Google to see our latest stories in your feed.

Add As Preferred Source