Capital Investment Advisory Services LLC Grows Stock Holdings in Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC)

Capital Investment Advisory Services LLC boosted its position in Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC - Free Report) by 90.1% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 2,464 shares of the aerospace company's stock after purchasing an additional 1,168 shares during the period. Capital Investment Advisory Services LLC's holdings in Northrop Grumman were worth $1,262,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Wood Tarver Financial Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Bellwether Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $33,000. HWG Holdings LP bought a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $46,000. Rakuten Securities Inc. lifted its stake 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 buying an additional 70 shares in the last quarter. Finally, VSM Wealth Advisory LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Northrop Grumman during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $47,000. 83.40% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts recently commented on the stock. Truist Financial dropped their price target on shares of Northrop Grumman from $600.00 to $550.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 23rd. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Northrop Grumman from a "sell" rating to a "neutral" rating and upped their price target for the company from $424.00 to $521.00 in a research note on Friday, April 11th. Morgan Stanley upped their price target 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 price target on shares of Northrop Grumman and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, April 24th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a "hold" rating and set a $542.00 price target (down from $580.00) on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research note on Tuesday. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Northrop Grumman presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $550.00.

Insider Buying and Selling at Northrop Grumman

In related news, VP Roshan S. Roeder sold 991 shares of Northrop Grumman stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $490.00, for a total value of $485,590.00. Following the transaction, the vice president owned 319 shares in the company, valued at $156,310. This trade represents a 75.65% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Kathy J. Warden sold 7,500 shares of Northrop Grumman stock in a transaction on Friday, June 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $505.77, for a total transaction of $3,793,275.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 201,602 shares in the company, valued at approximately $101,964,243.54. The trade was a 3.59% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 16,569 shares of company stock worth $8,323,150 in the last 90 days. 0.23% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Northrop Grumman Price Performance

Shares of NYSE NOC traded down $3.16 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $504.76. 669,551 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 880,638. Northrop Grumman Corporation has a 52 week low of $422.69 and a 52 week high of $555.57. The company has a quick ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95. The stock has a market capitalization of $72.65 billion, a PE ratio of 19.92, a PEG ratio of 5.55 and a beta of 0.15. The company's 50 day moving average price is $487.45 and its 200 day moving average price is $484.63.

Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 22nd. The aerospace company reported $6.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $6.33 by ($0.27). Northrop Grumman had a return on equity of 25.46% and a net margin of 9.19%. The company had revenue of $9.47 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.07 billion. Sell-side analysts forecast that Northrop Grumman Corporation will post 28.05 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Northrop Grumman Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 18th. Investors of record on Monday, June 2nd were given a $2.31 dividend. This represents a $9.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.83%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 2nd. This is a boost from Northrop Grumman's previous quarterly dividend of $2.06. Northrop Grumman's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 36.46%.

Northrop Grumman Company 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.