Meeder Advisory Services Inc. Purchases New Position in Northrop Grumman Corporation $NOC

Key Points

• Meeder Advisory Services purchased 3,309 Northrop Grumman shares worth approximately $1.69 million, while institutional investors overall own 83.4% of the company.
• Analysts maintain a generally positive outlook, with a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and a $661.30 price target, although several firms recently lowered their targets.
• Northrop Grumman reported quarterly revenue of $10.88 billion and adjusted EPS of $7.68, beating estimates; it also declared a $2.47 quarterly dividend. Investors remain watchful of increased capital spending, insider selling and potential pressure on near-term cash flow.

Meeder Advisory Services Inc. purchased a new stake in Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC - Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 3,309 shares of the aerospace company's stock, valued at approximately $1,685,000.

Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of NOC. Kestra Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Northrop Grumman by 4.4% during the 4th quarter. Kestra Investment Management LLC now owns 353 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $201,000 after purchasing an additional 15 shares in the last quarter. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Northrop Grumman by 6.8% during the fourth quarter. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. now owns 235 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $134,000 after buying an additional 15 shares in the last quarter. Golden State Equity Partners boosted its holdings in Northrop Grumman by 1.2% during the fourth quarter. Golden State Equity Partners now owns 1,337 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $762,000 after buying an additional 16 shares in the last quarter. Diversified Portfolios Inc. grew its position in Northrop Grumman by 0.9% during the fourth quarter. Diversified Portfolios Inc. now owns 1,789 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $1,020,000 after buying an additional 16 shares during the period. Finally, South Plains Financial Inc. increased its holdings in Northrop Grumman by 1.8% in 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. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.40% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity at Northrop Grumman

In related news, Director Mark A. Welsh III sold 95 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, August 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $547.53, for a total value of $52,015.35. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 4,393 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,405,299.29. This represents a 2.12% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders own 0.21% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

NOC has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Susquehanna decreased their price objective on shares of Northrop Grumman from $785.00 to $655.00 and set a "positive" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on Northrop Grumman from $635.00 to $600.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, July 23rd. Morgan Stanley set a $745.00 price target on Northrop Grumman in a research note on Wednesday, July 15th. Robert W. Baird set a $500.00 price target on Northrop Grumman in a report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Finally, UBS Group increased their price target on Northrop Grumman from $666.00 to $685.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 22nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $661.30.

Northrop Grumman News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Northrop Grumman this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Northrop Grumman’s board declared a quarterly dividend of $2.47 per share, payable September 16 to shareholders of record August 31. The payment reinforces the company’s commitment to returning capital while continuing investments in manufacturing capacity and technology. Northrop Grumman Board Declares Quarterly Dividend
• Positive Sentiment: NOC and Kratos secured a U.S. Marine Corps contract to deliver missionized Valkyrie autonomous aircraft, expanding Northrop Grumman’s position in uncrewed and collaborative defense systems. Northrop Grumman Lands Marine Corps Autonomous Aircraft Contract
• Positive Sentiment: TD Cowen raised its NOC price target to $590 from $550, although it maintained a “hold” rating, implying limited near-term upside. TD Cowen Raises Northrop Grumman Price Target
• Neutral Sentiment: Recent operational developments, including design progress on the E-2D Hawkeye upgrade and expansion of military training capabilities, support Northrop Grumman’s long-term defense portfolio but do not appear to represent a major new financial catalyst. Northrop Grumman Clears Design Review for E-2D Hawkeye Upgrade
• Negative Sentiment: Investors remain focused on higher capital spending required to expand production, which could pressure near-term free cash flow and margins despite strong demand. Investors’ Focus on Higher Capital Spending Weighed on Northrop Grumman
• Negative Sentiment: Reported insider activity has consisted entirely of sales in the past six months, while more institutions reduced positions than added them in the latest quarter. These signals may be contributing to investor caution.

Northrop Grumman Stock Down 1.0%

NOC opened at $583.14 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $82.82 billion, a PE ratio of 18.52, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.81 and a beta of -0.11. Northrop Grumman Corporation has a twelve month low of $479.02 and a twelve month high of $774.00. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $541.15 and a 200 day moving average price of $611.37. The company has a quick ratio of 1.06, a current ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81.

Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 21st. The aerospace company reported $7.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.82 by $0.86. Northrop Grumman had a return on equity of 24.25% and a net margin of 10.48%.The company had revenue of $10.88 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $10.80 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $8.15 EPS. Northrop Grumman's 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. Sell-side analysts expect that Northrop Grumman Corporation will post 28.97 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Northrop Grumman Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 16th. Investors of record on Monday, August 31st will be given a dividend of $2.47 per share. This represents a $9.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.7%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 31st. Northrop Grumman's payout ratio is presently 31.39%.

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.

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