Russell Investments Group Ltd. Increases Position in Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC)

Russell Investments Group Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC - Free Report) by 10.7% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 179,205 shares of the aerospace company's stock after acquiring an additional 17,393 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd. owned 0.12% of Northrop Grumman worth $83,890,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman during the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman during the third quarter valued at about $29,000. Providence Capital Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Northrop Grumman by 400.0% during 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. Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman during the third quarter valued at about $70,000. Finally, Rational Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman during the third quarter valued at about $72,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.40% of the company's stock.

Northrop Grumman Price Performance

Northrop Grumman stock traded down $7.61 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $480.45. 1,371,947 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,120,454. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04, a quick ratio of 1.05 and a current ratio of 1.13. The stock has a market capitalization of $71.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.60, a P/E/G ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 0.35. Northrop Grumman Co. has a 12 month low of $414.56 and a 12 month high of $496.89. The business's 50-day moving average is $462.59 and its two-hundred day moving average is $465.72.

Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 25th. The aerospace company reported $6.32 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.83 by $0.49. Northrop Grumman had a net margin of 5.38% and a return on equity of 24.09%. The firm had revenue of $10.13 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $9.77 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $5.50 earnings per share. The company's quarterly revenue was up 8.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts expect that Northrop Grumman Co. will post 24.7 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Northrop Grumman Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 13th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 26th were paid a dividend of $1.87 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 23rd. This represents a $7.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.56%. Northrop Grumman's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 52.31%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Alembic Global Advisors raised shares of Northrop Grumman from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating and set a $532.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Monday, April 22nd. TheStreet lowered shares of Northrop Grumman from a "b+" rating to a "c+" rating in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on shares of Northrop Grumman from $450.00 to $475.00 and gave the company a "sector perform" rating in a research note on Friday. Susquehanna upped their target price on shares of Northrop Grumman from $540.00 to $560.00 and gave the company a "positive" rating in a research note on Friday. Finally, Robert W. Baird upped their target price on shares of Northrop Grumman from $475.00 to $505.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Northrop Grumman currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $503.00.

Insider Activity

In other news, CAO Michael A. Hardesty sold 955 shares of the 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 sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 4,137 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,863,180.69. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other Northrop Grumman news, VP Kathryn G. Simpson sold 1,273 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $450.37, for a total value of $573,321.01. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 2,735 shares in the company, valued at $1,231,761.95. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CAO Michael A. Hardesty sold 955 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 transaction of $430,103.35. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 4,137 shares in the company, valued at $1,863,180.69. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 3,149 shares of company stock valued at $1,421,147 over the last three months. 0.22% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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.