Equitable Trust Co. Sells 1,169 Shares of Northrop Grumman Corporation $NOC

Equitable Trust Co. cut its holdings in Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) by 31.9% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,501 shares of the aerospace company’s stock after selling 1,169 shares during the quarter. Equitable Trust Co.’s holdings in Northrop Grumman were worth $1,706,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of NOC. Torren Management LLC acquired a new position in Northrop Grumman during the fourth quarter worth about $26,000. Karpus Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Northrop Grumman in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Northrop Grumman in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Financial Life Planners bought a new stake in shares of Northrop Grumman during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Finally, Motiv8 Investments LLC acquired a new position in Northrop Grumman during the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Institutional investors own 83.40% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have weighed in on NOC shares. Jefferies Financial Group cut their target price on shares of Northrop Grumman from $620.00 to $580.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, June 26th. Citigroup lowered their price target on shares of Northrop Grumman from $628.00 to $587.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 1st. Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an “overweight” rating and issued a $620.00 price target on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research note on Wednesday. UBS Group cut their price objective on Northrop Grumman from $806.00 to $745.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 23rd. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded Northrop Grumman from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, April 25th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $688.89.

Key Stories Impacting Northrop Grumman

Here are the key news stories impacting Northrop Grumman this week:

• Positive Sentiment: NATO’s plan to acquire up to five Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton drones reinforces demand for the company’s surveillance and maritime security platforms, a potential tailwind for future revenue. Northrop Grumman (NOC) Wins NATO Backing For Up To Five Triton Drones
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts continue to view Northrop Grumman as reasonably attractive, with a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy,” which can help support investor confidence ahead of the next earnings report. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) Receives Consensus Rating of “Moderate Buy” from Analysts
• Positive Sentiment: Several articles argue Northrop is positioned to beat earnings estimates again, citing its history of topping expectations and favorable setup for the upcoming quarterly report. Why Northrop Grumman (NOC) is Poised to Beat Earnings Estimates Again
• Neutral Sentiment: Market commentary and valuation-focused pieces suggest the stock may be fairly priced after a strong multi-year run, which could limit upside unless earnings or contract growth surprise to the upside. Northrop Grumman (NOC) Stock Looks Fairly Priced Following A 62% Run
• Negative Sentiment: Some recent commentary highlights cost and capital spending concerns, which could weigh on margins if defense program execution becomes more expensive. Northrop Grumman (NOC) After Talpins Interest And Cost Concerns, Bargain Or Fairly Valued?

Northrop Grumman Stock Up 1.4%

NYSE:NOC opened at $539.49 on Friday. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $541.29 and its 200 day simple moving average is $625.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 1.15 and a quick ratio of 1.04. Northrop Grumman Corporation has a one year low of $493.84 and a one year high of $774.00. The company has a market cap of $76.62 billion, a PE ratio of 16.89, a P/E/G ratio of 3.60 and a beta of -0.10.

Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, April 21st. The aerospace company reported $6.14 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $6.06 by $0.08. Northrop Grumman had a net margin of 10.80% and a return on equity of 24.72%. The firm had revenue of $9.88 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.75 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $6.06 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 4.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Northrop Grumman has set its FY 2026 guidance at 27.400-27.900 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Northrop Grumman Corporation will post 27.95 earnings per share for the current year.

Northrop Grumman Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 17th. Investors of record on Monday, June 1st were paid a $2.47 dividend. This is a positive change from Northrop Grumman’s previous quarterly dividend of $2.31. This represents a $9.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, June 1st. Northrop Grumman’s payout ratio is presently 30.92%.

Northrop Grumman Profile

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) is a leading U.S.-based aerospace and defense company that designs, builds and sustains advanced systems, products and technologies for government and commercial customers. Formed through the combination of Northrop and Grumman businesses in the 1990s, the company’s portfolio spans manned and unmanned aircraft, space systems, missile defense, radar and sensor systems, and integrated command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) solutions.

The company’s work includes airframe and platform manufacturing, space hardware and satellite systems, advanced mission systems and cybersecurity services, as well as logistics, sustainment and modernization programs.