Attessa Capital LLC Invests $642,000 in Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC)

Attessa Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 1,368 shares of the aerospace company's stock, valued at approximately $642,000. Northrop Grumman makes up about 0.4% of Attessa Capital LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 21st largest holding.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in NOC. RPg Family Wealth Advisory LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Northrop Grumman during the third quarter worth about $31,000. Albion Financial Group UT acquired a new stake in shares of Northrop Grumman during the fourth quarter worth about $33,000. FSA Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman during the third quarter worth about $36,000. Modus Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman during the fourth quarter worth about $38,000. Finally, Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman during the third quarter worth about $40,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.40% of the company's stock.

Northrop Grumman Price Performance

Shares of Northrop Grumman stock traded up $2.10 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $441.00. 1,074,505 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 900,100. The company has a quick ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.96. Northrop Grumman Co. has a fifty-two week low of $418.60 and a fifty-two week high of $555.57. The stock has a market capitalization of $63.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.56, a P/E/G ratio of 3.00 and a beta of 0.35. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $474.14 and a 200 day moving average price of $499.00.

Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The aerospace company reported $6.39 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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, equities analysts expect that Northrop Grumman Co. will post 27.94 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Northrop Grumman Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 19th. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd will be given a dividend of $2.06 per share. This represents a $8.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.87%. Northrop Grumman's dividend payout ratio is currently 29.08%.

Northrop Grumman declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock buyback plan on Wednesday, December 11th that allows the company to repurchase $3.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the aerospace company to repurchase up to 4.3% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are generally a sign that the company's board believes its stock is undervalued.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on NOC shares. Barclays lowered their price target on Northrop Grumman from $550.00 to $500.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, January 6th. UBS Group lowered their price target on Northrop Grumman from $579.00 to $558.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 31st. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on Northrop Grumman from $595.00 to $574.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 31st. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on Northrop Grumman from $500.00 to $540.00 and gave the company a "sector perform" rating in a report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price objective on Northrop Grumman from $587.00 to $591.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, February 10th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target 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.