NetScout Systems (NASDAQ:NTCT) Shares Down 3.4%

NetScout Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:NTCT - Get Free Report) shares fell 3.4% during mid-day trading on Friday . The company traded as low as $19.90 and last traded at $19.95. 231,195 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 68% from the average session volume of 718,044 shares. The stock had previously closed at $20.65.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, TheStreet downgraded NetScout Systems from a "c" rating to a "d+" rating in a research note on Thursday, January 25th.

NetScout Systems Stock Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 1.55, a current ratio of 1.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05. The company's 50 day moving average is $21.66 and its 200-day moving average is $22.45. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.42 billion, a P/E ratio of -11.86 and a beta of 0.64.

NetScout Systems (NASDAQ:NTCT - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, January 25th. The technology company reported $0.55 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.22 by $0.33. NetScout Systems had a negative net margin of 14.21% and a positive return on equity of 4.57%. The firm had revenue of $218.07 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $200.08 million. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that NetScout Systems, Inc. will post 1.4 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other NetScout Systems news, EVP John Downing sold 3,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $21.93, for a total value of $65,790.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 111,115 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,436,751.95. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, EVP John Downing sold 3,000 shares of NetScout Systems stock in a transaction on Friday, February 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $21.93, for a total transaction of $65,790.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 111,115 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,436,751.95. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, COO Michael Szabados sold 5,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.13, for a total value of $110,650.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 26,084 shares in the company, valued at approximately $577,238.92. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 3.59% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On NetScout Systems

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in NTCT. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can raised its position in NetScout Systems by 0.5% in the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 65,268 shares of the technology company's stock worth $2,149,000 after purchasing an additional 335 shares during the period. State of Wyoming increased its holdings in shares of NetScout Systems by 11.8% in the fourth quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 3,359 shares of the technology company's stock worth $109,000 after buying an additional 354 shares during the period. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. lifted its stake in shares of NetScout Systems by 6.8% in the 2nd quarter. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. now owns 5,636 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $174,000 after acquiring an additional 358 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can boosted its holdings in NetScout Systems by 1.8% during the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 21,657 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $702,000 after acquiring an additional 392 shares during the period. Finally, Guggenheim Capital LLC grew its position in NetScout Systems by 6.2% during the 3rd quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 7,660 shares of the technology company's stock worth $240,000 after acquiring an additional 446 shares during the last quarter. 91.64% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About NetScout Systems

NetScout Systems, Inc provides service assurance and cybersecurity solutions for protect digital business services against disruptions in the United States, Europe, Asia, and internationally. The company offers nGeniusONE management software that enables customers to predict, preempt, and resolve network and service delivery problems, as well as facilitate the optimization and capacity planning of their network infrastructures; and specialized platforms and analytic modules that enable its customers to analyze and troubleshoot traffic in radio access and Wi-Fi networks.