World Investment Advisors Raises Stock Holdings in Northrop Grumman Corporation $NOC

Key Points

• World Investment Advisors boosted its Northrop Grumman stake by 70.1% in the fourth quarter, adding 1,853 shares and bringing its total to 4,497 shares valued at about $2.56 million.
• Institutional ownership in Northrop Grumman remains very high at 83.40%, and several large investors such as Vanguard also increased their positions during the period.
• Northrop Grumman reported better-than-expected Q1 results, with EPS of $6.14 versus $6.06 expected and revenue of $9.88 billion, though the stock was trading lower and analysts maintained a Moderate Buy consensus with a $710.74 price target.

World Investment Advisors increased its position in Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC - Free Report) by 70.1% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 4,497 shares of the aerospace company's stock after acquiring an additional 1,853 shares during the period. World Investment Advisors' holdings in Northrop Grumman were worth $2,564,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Focused Investors LLC increased its stake in shares of Northrop Grumman by 4.1% in the 3rd quarter. Focused Investors LLC now owns 211,800 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $129,054,000 after purchasing an additional 8,300 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Northrop Grumman by 1.5% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 13,740,721 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $7,835,097,000 after purchasing an additional 209,135 shares in the last quarter. Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. increased its stake in shares of Northrop Grumman by 4.1% in the 3rd quarter. Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. now owns 81,747 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $49,810,000 after purchasing an additional 3,215 shares in the last quarter. Huntleigh Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman in the 3rd quarter valued at about $2,818,000. Finally, Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. increased its stake in shares of Northrop Grumman by 13.4% in the 3rd quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 22,318 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $13,599,000 after purchasing an additional 2,644 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.40% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts recently weighed in on NOC shares. TD Cowen restated a "hold" rating on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a "buy" rating and set a $765.00 price objective on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a "buy (b)" rating on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research note on Monday, March 23rd. Vertical Research reiterated a "hold" rating and set a $688.00 price objective on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. Finally, Argus set a $785.00 price objective on Northrop Grumman in a research note on Tuesday, February 10th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $710.74.

Northrop Grumman Trading Down 1.5%

Shares of Northrop Grumman stock opened at $540.47 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $76.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.92, a P/E/G ratio of 3.74 and a beta of -0.11. The stock's 50 day simple moving average is $655.52 and its 200-day simple moving average is $633.60. Northrop Grumman Corporation has a 1-year low of $466.38 and a 1-year high of $774.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 1.15 and a quick ratio of 1.04.

Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, April 21st. The aerospace company reported $6.14 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.06 by $0.08. The business had revenue of $9.88 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $9.75 billion. Northrop Grumman had a return on equity of 24.72% and a net margin of 10.80%.The business's revenue for the quarter was up 4.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $6.06 EPS. Northrop Grumman has set its FY 2026 guidance at 27.400-27.900 EPS. Analysts predict that Northrop Grumman Corporation will post 27.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

More Northrop Grumman News

Here are the key news stories impacting Northrop Grumman this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Northrop Grumman’s new LR-450 space navigation system underscores progress in higher-value Space Systems work and could support future growth. Northrop Grumman LR-450 Highlights Push Into Higher Value Space Systems
• Positive Sentiment: The company continues to benefit from strong defense-sector demand, with investors comparing NOC favorably against peers as one of the largest U.S. defense contractors. Defense Stock Face-Off: Northrop Grumman vs. Lockheed Martin -- Which Is the Better Buy Right Now?
• Neutral Sentiment: Northrop Grumman was included in a broader Q1 earnings recap for defense contractors, but the article mainly framed the company in an industry context rather than pointing to a fresh catalyst. Unpacking Q1 Earnings: Northrop Grumman NYSE: NOC In The Context Of Other Defense Contractors Stocks
• Neutral Sentiment: Options-market activity has picked up, with surging implied volatility signaling uncertainty and potentially weighing on the stock in the short term. Implied Volatility Surging for Northrop Grumman Stock Options
• Negative Sentiment: Rising attention to NOC’s options volatility can reflect increased downside hedging or uncertainty ahead of upcoming catalysts, which may pressure shares. Implied Volatility Surging for Northrop Grumman Stock Options

Insider Activity at Northrop Grumman

In other news, VP Benjamin R. Davies sold 2,189 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $719.61, for a total transaction of $1,575,226.29. Following the transaction, the vice president directly owned 151 shares in the company, valued at $108,661.11. The trade was a 93.55% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CAO Michael A. Hardesty sold 147 shares of Northrop Grumman stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $732.98, for a total transaction of $107,748.06. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer directly owned 2,525 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,850,774.50. The trade was a 5.50% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders own 0.21% of the company's stock.

Northrop Grumman Company Profile

Northrop Grumman Corporation NYSE: NOC is a leading U.S.-based aerospace and defense company that designs, builds and sustains advanced systems, products and technologies for government and commercial customers. Formed through the combination of Northrop and Grumman businesses in the 1990s, the company's portfolio spans manned and unmanned aircraft, space systems, missile defense, radar and sensor systems, and integrated command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) solutions.

The company's work includes airframe and platform manufacturing, space hardware and satellite systems, advanced mission systems and cybersecurity services, as well as logistics, sustainment and modernization programs.

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