Criterion Capital Advisors LLC Invests $1.77 Million in Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC)

Criterion Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 3,782 shares of the aerospace company's stock, valued at approximately $1,771,000. Northrop Grumman accounts for about 1.3% of Criterion Capital Advisors LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 22nd biggest position.

Other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. State of Wyoming grew its holdings in shares of Northrop Grumman by 76.5% in the fourth quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 60 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 26 shares during the period. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Northrop Grumman in the third quarter valued at about $29,000. IMA Wealth Inc. lifted its position in Northrop Grumman by 196.3% in the second quarter. IMA Wealth Inc. now owns 80 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 53 shares during the last quarter. Providence Capital Advisors LLC lifted its position in Northrop Grumman by 400.0% in the third quarter. Providence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 100 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $44,000 after buying an additional 80 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Toth Financial Advisory Corp lifted its position in Northrop Grumman by 19.1% in the third quarter. Toth Financial Advisory Corp now owns 131 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $58,000 after buying an additional 21 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.40% of the company's stock.

Northrop Grumman Stock Up 2.2 %

Northrop Grumman stock traded up $10.08 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $462.58. The company had a trading volume of 1,213,952 shares, compared to its average volume of 967,785. The stock has a market cap of $68.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.32, a PEG ratio of 1.82 and a beta of 0.35. Northrop Grumman Co. has a 1 year low of $414.56 and a 1 year high of $496.89. The company has a quick ratio of 1.05, a current ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93. The business has a fifty day moving average of $459.71 and a 200 day moving average of $464.47.

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

Northrop Grumman Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 13th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 26th were given a dividend of $1.87 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 23rd. This represents a $7.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.62%. Northrop Grumman's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 55.49%.

Insider Transactions at Northrop Grumman

In other news, VP Kathryn G. Simpson sold 1,273 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $450.37, for a total transaction of $573,321.01. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 2,735 shares in the company, valued at $1,231,761.95. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, CAO Michael A. Hardesty sold 955 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $450.37, for a total transaction of $430,103.35. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 4,137 shares in the company, valued at $1,863,180.69. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, VP Kathryn G. Simpson sold 1,273 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $450.37, for a total transaction of $573,321.01. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 2,735 shares in the company, valued at $1,231,761.95. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 3,149 shares of company stock worth $1,421,147. Insiders own 0.22% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

NOC has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Robert W. Baird decreased their target price on shares of Northrop Grumman from $505.00 to $475.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 26th. Susquehanna reduced their price target on shares of Northrop Grumman from $560.00 to $540.00 and set a "positive" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 26th. TheStreet cut shares of Northrop Grumman from a "b+" rating to a "c+" rating in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. StockNews.com cut shares of Northrop Grumman from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, January 29th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reissued a "sector perform" rating and set a $450.00 price target (down previously from $515.00) on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research report on Friday, January 26th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Northrop Grumman presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target 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.