MRP Capital Investments LLC Has $1.63 Million Stake in Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC)

MRP Capital Investments LLC decreased its holdings in Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC - Free Report) by 72.4% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 3,477 shares of the aerospace company's stock after selling 9,110 shares during the period. Northrop Grumman comprises 1.8% of MRP Capital Investments LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 16th largest holding. MRP Capital Investments LLC's holdings in Northrop Grumman were worth $1,628,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. London Co. of Virginia acquired a new position in Northrop Grumman in the third quarter worth approximately $165,786,000. Invesco Ltd. increased its holdings in Northrop Grumman by 74.7% in the third quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,174,556 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $517,028,000 after buying an additional 502,060 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. increased its holdings in Northrop Grumman by 19.7% in the fourth quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 16,515 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $7,731,000 after buying an additional 2,723 shares during the last quarter. Comerica Bank acquired a new position in Northrop Grumman in the second quarter worth approximately $59,403,000. Finally, Phraction Management LLC acquired a new position in Northrop Grumman in the third quarter worth approximately $677,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.40% of the company's stock.

Northrop Grumman Stock Performance

Shares of NOC traded down $1.90 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $455.93. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,045,544 shares, compared to its average volume of 978,696. Northrop Grumman Co. has a one year low of $414.56 and a one year high of $496.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 1.05 and a current ratio of 1.15. The firm has a market capitalization of $67.57 billion, a PE ratio of 33.82, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 0.35. The stock's 50-day moving average is $459.36 and its two-hundred day moving average is $463.69.

Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 25th. The aerospace company reported $6.27 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.80 by $0.47. Northrop Grumman had a return on equity of 23.07% and a net margin of 5.23%. The company had revenue of $10.64 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $10.43 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $7.50 earnings per share. Northrop Grumman's revenue for the quarter was up 6.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Northrop Grumman Co. will post 24.67 EPS for the current year.

Northrop Grumman Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 13th. Investors of record on Monday, February 26th were given a $1.87 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 23rd. This represents a $7.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.64%. Northrop Grumman's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 55.49%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, VP Kathryn G. Simpson sold 1,273 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Friday, February 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $450.37, for a total value of $573,321.01. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 2,735 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,231,761.95. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, CAO Michael A. Hardesty sold 955 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Friday, February 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $450.37, for a total value of $430,103.35. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 4,137 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,863,180.69. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, VP Kathryn G. Simpson sold 1,273 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $450.37, for a total value of $573,321.01. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 2,735 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,231,761.95. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 3,149 shares of company stock valued at $1,421,147 over the last ninety days. 0.26% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms recently commented on NOC. StockNews.com downgraded Northrop Grumman from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, January 29th. Susquehanna lowered their price target on Northrop Grumman from $560.00 to $540.00 and set a "positive" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 26th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a "sector perform" rating and set a $450.00 price target (down previously from $515.00) on shares of Northrop Grumman in a report on Friday, January 26th. Robert W. Baird lowered their price target on Northrop Grumman from $505.00 to $475.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 26th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft downgraded Northrop Grumman from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and lowered their price target for the company from $541.00 to $473.00 in a report on Friday, December 15th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $494.33.

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.

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