Jefferies Financial Group Inc. Purchases 16,369 Shares of Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC)

Jefferies Financial Group Inc. raised its stake in Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC - Free Report) by 129.2% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 29,042 shares of the aerospace company's stock after purchasing an additional 16,369 shares during the quarter. Jefferies Financial Group Inc.'s holdings in Northrop Grumman were worth $13,629,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Whipplewood Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman during the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. Albion Financial Group UT bought a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman during the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000. Bellwether Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman during the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000. Stonebridge Financial Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman during the 4th quarter worth approximately $42,000. Finally, Rakuten Securities Inc. boosted 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 worth $44,000 after acquiring an additional 70 shares during the period. 83.40% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling at Northrop Grumman

In related news, VP Benjamin R. Davies sold 192 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $429.08, for a total value of $82,383.36. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 709 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $304,217.72. This trade represents a 21.31% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Kathy J. Warden sold 3,750 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $475.65, for a total transaction 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 trade represents a 1.73% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 4,505 shares of company stock worth $2,127,632. Company insiders own 0.23% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts recently issued reports on the company. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on Northrop Grumman from $580.00 to $625.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 16th. Truist Financial reduced their price target on Northrop Grumman from $600.00 to $550.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 23rd. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Northrop Grumman from a "sell" rating to a "neutral" rating and boosted their price target for the company from $424.00 to $521.00 in a research note on Friday, April 11th. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price target on Northrop Grumman from $575.00 to $550.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 23rd. Finally, UBS Group reduced their price target on Northrop Grumman from $583.00 to $571.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 23rd. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $545.31.

Northrop Grumman Trading Down 2.9%

Shares of NOC traded down $13.55 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $457.12. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,272,420 shares, compared to its average volume of 897,152. The stock has a market cap of $65.79 billion, a PE ratio of 16.13, a P/E/G ratio of 3.73 and a beta of 0.15. The company has a current ratio of 1.01, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.96. Northrop Grumman Co. has a 52 week low of $418.60 and a 52 week high of $555.57. The company's fifty day moving average price is $497.49 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $486.29.

Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 22nd. The aerospace company reported $6.06 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $6.33 by ($0.27). Northrop Grumman had a net margin of 10.17% and a return on equity of 26.24%. The firm had revenue of $9.47 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.07 billion. On average, analysts predict that Northrop Grumman Co. will post 28.05 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Northrop Grumman Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 19th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were paid a dividend of $2.06 per share. This represents a $8.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.80%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 3rd. Northrop Grumman's dividend payout ratio is currently 32.52%.

Northrop Grumman 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.