Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH Makes New Investment in Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC)

Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH acquired a new stake in shares of Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm acquired 34,392 shares of the aerospace company's stock, valued at approximately $16,140,000.

Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Brighton Jones LLC boosted its holdings in Northrop Grumman by 176.3% in the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 2,970 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $1,394,000 after acquiring an additional 1,895 shares during the last quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC boosted its holdings in Northrop Grumman by 1.4% in the fourth quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 1,760 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $826,000 after acquiring an additional 24 shares during the last quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in Northrop Grumman by 43.7% in the fourth quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 14,727 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $6,911,000 after acquiring an additional 4,477 shares during the last quarter. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Northrop Grumman by 8.5% in the fourth quarter. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,603 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $752,000 after acquiring an additional 125 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Perigon Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in Northrop Grumman by 5.5% in the fourth quarter. Perigon Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,685 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $1,292,000 after acquiring an additional 140 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.40% of the company's stock.

Northrop Grumman Stock Up 1.0%

NYSE NOC traded up $4.97 on Friday, reaching $484.36. The company had a trading volume of 1,304,434 shares, compared to its average volume of 895,507. The company has a quick ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.96. The stock has a market capitalization of $69.71 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.09, a P/E/G ratio of 3.73 and a beta of 0.15. The company's fifty day moving average is $493.38 and its 200 day moving average is $482.82. 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 released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 22nd. The aerospace company reported $6.06 earnings per share 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 for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $10.07 billion. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Northrop Grumman Co. 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 will be paid on Wednesday, June 18th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 2nd will be paid a $2.31 dividend. This represents a $9.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.91%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 2nd. This is an increase from Northrop Grumman's previous quarterly dividend of $2.06. Northrop Grumman's payout ratio is presently 36.46%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts recently commented on NOC shares. Wells Fargo & Company set a $525.00 target price on Northrop Grumman and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, April 24th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised Northrop Grumman from a "sell" rating to a "neutral" rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $424.00 to $521.00 in a research report on Friday, April 11th. UBS Group lowered their price objective on Northrop Grumman from $583.00 to $571.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Argus raised Northrop Grumman to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 26th. Finally, Susquehanna lowered their price objective on Northrop Grumman from $557.00 to $540.00 and set a "positive" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $545.31.

Insider Transactions at Northrop Grumman

In related news, CEO Kathy J. Warden sold 3,750 shares of Northrop Grumman stock in a transaction that occurred 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 sale, the chief executive officer now owns 212,852 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $101,243,053.80. The trade was a 1.73% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders have sold 3,849 shares of company stock worth $1,831,461 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 0.23% of the company's stock.

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.