Two Sigma Investments LP Raises Stock Holdings in Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC)

Two Sigma Investments LP grew its position in Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC - Free Report) by 6.3% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 443,663 shares of the aerospace company's stock after purchasing an additional 26,408 shares during the quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP owned approximately 0.31% of Northrop Grumman worth $208,207,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Whipplewood Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman during the 4th quarter valued at $31,000. Albion Financial Group UT acquired a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman during the 4th quarter valued at $33,000. Bellwether Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman during the 4th quarter valued at $33,000. Stonebridge Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman during the 4th quarter valued at $42,000. Finally, Rakuten Securities Inc. lifted 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 acquiring an additional 70 shares during the period. 83.40% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Northrop Grumman Price Performance

NOC traded down $1.64 on Friday, reaching $471.24. The company had a trading volume of 679,212 shares, compared to its average volume of 903,016. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $495.16 and a 200 day simple moving average of $484.56. The company has a market cap of $67.82 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.63, a P/E/G ratio of 3.73 and a beta of 0.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.96, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a current ratio of 1.01. Northrop Grumman Co. has a 52-week low of $418.60 and a 52-week high of $555.57.

Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, April 22nd. The aerospace company reported $6.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $6.33 by ($0.27). Northrop Grumman had a return on equity of 26.24% and a net margin of 10.17%. The firm had revenue of $9.47 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.07 billion. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Northrop Grumman Co. will post 28.05 EPS for the current 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 given a dividend of $2.31 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 2nd. This represents a $9.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.96%. This is a positive change from Northrop Grumman's previous quarterly dividend of $2.06. Northrop Grumman's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 32.52%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have weighed in on NOC. Wells Fargo & Company set a $525.00 price objective on shares of Northrop Grumman and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Truist Financial lowered their price objective on shares of Northrop Grumman from $600.00 to $550.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report 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 objective for the stock from $424.00 to $521.00 in a report on Friday, April 11th. Citigroup upped their price objective 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. Finally, Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on shares of Northrop Grumman from $580.00 to $625.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $545.31.

Insider Buying and Selling at Northrop Grumman

In other news, VP Benjamin R. Davies sold 464 shares of Northrop Grumman stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $460.75, for a total value of $213,788.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 245 shares of the company's stock, valued at $112,883.75. The trade was a 65.44% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Kathy J. Warden sold 3,750 shares of Northrop Grumman stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 6th. The stock was 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 directly owns 212,852 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $101,243,053.80. This represents a 1.73% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 4,313 shares of company stock valued at $2,045,249. 0.23% of the stock is currently owned by company 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.