Morningstar Investment Management LLC Purchases New Stake in Northrop Grumman Corporation $NOC

Key Points

• Morningstar Investment Management LLC purchased 2,911 shares of Northrop Grumman, valued at approximately $1.45 million, indicating strong institutional interest in the aerospace firm.
• Northrop Grumman's quarterly earnings report revealed earnings of $7.11 per share, surpassing estimates, and a revenue of $10.35 billion, showing a 1.3% year-over-year increase.
• The company recently declared a quarterly dividend of $2.31 per share, representing an annualized dividend yield of 1.5%, with a payout ratio of 34.06%.

Morningstar Investment Management LLC bought a new position in Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC - Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 2,911 shares of the aerospace company's stock, valued at approximately $1,455,000.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in NOC. IMA Advisory Services Inc. acquired a new stake in Northrop Grumman in the first quarter worth $27,000. Saudi Central Bank acquired a new stake in Northrop Grumman in the first quarter worth $28,000. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise acquired a new stake in Northrop Grumman in the first quarter worth $30,000. Flaharty Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Northrop Grumman in the first quarter worth $36,000. Finally, Hollencrest Capital Management increased its position in Northrop Grumman by 790.0% in the first quarter. Hollencrest Capital Management now owns 89 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $45,000 after buying an additional 79 shares during the period. 83.40% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Northrop Grumman Trading Down 0.8%

NYSE:NOC opened at $618.24 on Tuesday. Northrop Grumman Corporation has a 1 year low of $426.24 and a 1 year high of $640.90. The stock has a market cap of $88.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.79, a PEG ratio of 6.06 and a beta of 0.10. The business has a fifty day moving average of $590.87 and a 200-day moving average of $534.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.98, a quick ratio of 0.93 and a current ratio of 1.04.

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

Northrop Grumman Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 17th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 2nd were issued a $2.31 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 2nd. This represents a $9.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.5%. Northrop Grumman's dividend payout ratio is 34.06%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Susquehanna increased their target price on Northrop Grumman from $557.00 to $650.00 and gave the stock a "positive" rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 22nd. Wall Street Zen raised Northrop Grumman from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, September 5th. Weiss Ratings reissued a "buy (b)" rating on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research note on Saturday, September 27th. Barclays increased their price target on Northrop Grumman from $500.00 to $580.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 29th. Finally, Robert W. Baird increased their price target on Northrop Grumman from $547.00 to $565.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 23rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have assigned a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Northrop Grumman has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $601.00.

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.

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