UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC Buys 80,221 Shares of Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC)

UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC boosted its stake in shares of Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC - Free Report) by 14.0% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 652,672 shares of the aerospace company's stock after buying an additional 80,221 shares during the quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC owned approximately 0.45% of Northrop Grumman worth $306,292,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in NOC. Whipplewood Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Northrop Grumman in the fourth quarter valued at $31,000. Albion Financial Group UT bought a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman in the 4th quarter worth about $33,000. Bellwether Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman in the 4th quarter worth about $33,000. Stonebridge Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman in the 4th quarter valued at about $42,000. Finally, Rakuten Securities Inc. boosted its position in shares of Northrop Grumman by 291.7% during the 4th quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. now owns 94 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $44,000 after purchasing an additional 70 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 83.40% of the company's stock.

Northrop Grumman Stock Up 0.2%

NYSE NOC traded up $1.07 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $472.53. The company's stock had a trading volume of 228,701 shares, compared to its average volume of 902,342. The company has a market capitalization of $68.01 billion, a PE ratio of 16.67, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.73 and a beta of 0.15. The company has a current ratio of 1.01, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.96. Northrop Grumman Co. has a 52 week low of $418.60 and a 52 week high of $555.57. The company's 50-day simple moving average is $494.75 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $483.63.

Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 22nd. The aerospace company reported $6.06 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $6.33 by ($0.27). The company had revenue of $9.47 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $10.07 billion. Northrop Grumman had a return on equity of 26.24% and a net margin of 10.17%. Research analysts anticipate that Northrop Grumman Co. will post 28.05 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Northrop Grumman Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 18th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 2nd will be issued a dividend of $2.31 per share. This represents a $9.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.96%. This is an increase from Northrop Grumman's previous quarterly dividend of $2.06. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 2nd. Northrop Grumman's payout ratio is currently 36.46%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Wall Street Zen downgraded Northrop Grumman from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, April 24th. UBS Group reduced their price objective on shares of Northrop Grumman from $583.00 to $571.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on shares of Northrop Grumman from $580.00 to $625.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 16th. Wells Fargo & Company set a $525.00 target price on shares of Northrop Grumman and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, April 24th. Finally, Citigroup raised their price target on shares of Northrop Grumman from $587.00 to $591.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, February 10th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $545.31.

Insider Transactions at Northrop Grumman

In other Northrop Grumman news, VP Benjamin R. Davies sold 464 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Friday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $460.75, for a total value of $213,788.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 245 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $112,883.75. The trade was a 65.44% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Kathy J. Warden sold 3,750 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $475.65, for a total value of $1,783,687.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 212,852 shares of the company's stock, valued at $101,243,053.80. This trade represents a 1.73% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 4,313 shares of company stock worth $2,045,249 in the last quarter. 0.23% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

About Northrop Grumman

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.