Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC) Holdings Raised by Savant Capital LLC

Savant Capital LLC increased its position in shares of Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC) by 13.3% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 5,942 shares of the aerospace company’s stock after purchasing an additional 699 shares during the period. Savant Capital LLC’s holdings in Northrop Grumman were worth $2,788,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. RPg Family Wealth Advisory LLC bought a new stake in shares of Northrop Grumman in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Albion Financial Group UT acquired a new stake in Northrop Grumman in the fourth quarter worth $33,000. FSA Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Northrop Grumman in the third quarter worth $36,000. Modus Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Northrop Grumman in the fourth quarter valued at $38,000. Finally, Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman during the third quarter valued at $40,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.40% of the company’s stock.

Northrop Grumman Trading Down 0.5 %

Northrop Grumman stock opened at $471.25 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $68.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.00 and a beta of 0.35. Northrop Grumman Co. has a 1 year low of $418.60 and a 1 year high of $555.57. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $476.46 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $499.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.96, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a current ratio of 1.01.

Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The aerospace company reported $6.39 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $6.27 by $0.12. Northrop Grumman had a return on equity of 26.24% and a net margin of 10.17%. On average, research analysts predict that Northrop Grumman Co. will post 27.94 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Northrop Grumman declared that its board has authorized a stock repurchase program on Wednesday, December 11th that permits the company to repurchase $3.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the aerospace company to purchase up to 4.3% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are typically an indication that the company’s board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Northrop Grumman Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 18th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 2nd were paid a dividend of $2.06 per share. This represents a $8.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.75%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 2nd. Northrop Grumman’s dividend payout ratio is presently 29.08%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have issued reports on NOC shares. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on shares of Northrop Grumman from $500.00 to $540.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on Northrop Grumman from $595.00 to $574.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Susquehanna decreased their price objective on Northrop Grumman from $625.00 to $557.00 and set a “positive” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Wolfe Research raised Northrop Grumman from an “underperform” rating to a “peer perform” rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, UBS Group decreased their price target on Northrop Grumman from $579.00 to $558.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Northrop Grumman has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $544.56.

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.