Northrop Grumman Corporation $NOC Position Lifted by Qtron Investments LLC

Key Points

• Qtron Investments LLC increased its holdings in Northrop Grumman Corporation by 149.8%, now owning 2,483 shares valued at approximately $1.27 million.
• Northrop Grumman reported earnings of $7.11 per share for the last quarter, beating expectations and showing a 1.3% increase in revenue year-over-year.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend increase to $2.31 per share, reflecting a positive change from its previous dividend and a payout ratio of 34.06%.

Qtron Investments LLC lifted its holdings in Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC - Free Report) by 149.8% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 2,483 shares of the aerospace company's stock after buying an additional 1,489 shares during the quarter. Qtron Investments LLC's holdings in Northrop Grumman were worth $1,271,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Redhawk Wealth Advisors Inc. lifted its position in Northrop Grumman by 3.0% in the 1st quarter. Redhawk Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 644 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $330,000 after purchasing an additional 19 shares during the last quarter. Salvus Wealth Management LLC raised its position in shares of Northrop Grumman by 1.5% during the 1st quarter. Salvus Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,349 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $691,000 after buying an additional 20 shares in the last quarter. IAG Wealth Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Northrop Grumman by 8.4% in the 1st quarter. IAG Wealth Partners LLC now owns 271 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $139,000 after purchasing an additional 21 shares during the last quarter. Integrated Investment Consultants LLC grew its stake in shares of Northrop Grumman by 3.9% in the 1st quarter. Integrated Investment Consultants LLC now owns 553 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $283,000 after purchasing an additional 21 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank Pictet & Cie Europe AG grew its stake in shares of Northrop Grumman by 2.2% in the 4th quarter. Bank Pictet & Cie Europe AG now owns 1,006 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $472,000 after purchasing an additional 22 shares during the last quarter. 83.40% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Northrop Grumman Stock Up 0.1%

Shares of NYSE:NOC opened at $584.02 on Monday. Northrop Grumman Corporation has a 12 month low of $426.24 and a 12 month high of $594.68. The company's 50-day moving average price is $532.08 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $501.05. The company has a quick ratio of 0.93, a current ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.98. The firm has a market cap of $83.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.53, a P/E/G ratio of 5.59 and a beta of 0.15.

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. Northrop Grumman had a net margin of 9.74% and a return on equity of 25.52%. The business had revenue of $10.35 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.15 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $6.36 earnings per share. Northrop Grumman's revenue was up 1.3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts forecast that Northrop Grumman Corporation will post 28.05 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Northrop Grumman Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 18th. Investors of record on Monday, June 2nd were paid a dividend of $2.31 per share. This represents a $9.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, June 2nd. This is a positive change from Northrop Grumman's previous quarterly dividend of $2.06. Northrop Grumman's payout ratio is 34.06%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of Northrop Grumman from $480.00 to $585.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 23rd. UBS Group decreased their target price 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. Bank of America boosted their target price on shares of Northrop Grumman from $550.00 to $650.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 23rd. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Northrop Grumman from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, April 24th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada upped their target price on shares of Northrop Grumman from $600.00 to $625.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 22nd. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $586.79.

Insider Activity

In related news, VP Thomas H. Jones sold 729 shares of Northrop Grumman stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $505.77, for a total transaction of $368,706.33. Following the transaction, the vice president owned 7,552 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,819,575.04. This trade represents a 8.80% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, VP Roshan S. Roeder sold 991 shares of Northrop Grumman stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $490.00, for a total transaction of $485,590.00. Following the transaction, the vice president directly owned 319 shares in the company, valued at $156,310. The trade was a 75.65% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 16,536 shares of company stock worth $8,306,857 over the last quarter. 0.23% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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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