Chevy Chase Trust Holdings LLC Sells 1,841 Shares of Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC)

Chevy Chase Trust Holdings LLC decreased its position in shares of Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC - Free Report) by 2.5% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 72,058 shares of the aerospace company's stock after selling 1,841 shares during the quarter. Chevy Chase Trust Holdings LLC's holdings in Northrop Grumman were worth $33,816,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in NOC. RPg Family Wealth Advisory LLC bought a new position in Northrop Grumman during the third quarter worth about $31,000. FSA Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Northrop Grumman in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Albion Financial Group UT bought a new stake in Northrop Grumman during the 4th quarter valued at $33,000. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Northrop Grumman during the third quarter worth $40,000. Finally, Modus Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman in the fourth quarter worth $38,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.40% of the company's stock.

Northrop Grumman Trading Up 0.5 %

NYSE:NOC traded up $2.10 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $441.00. 1,071,794 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 892,696. The stock has a market capitalization of $63.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.56, a PEG ratio of 3.00 and a beta of 0.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.96, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a current ratio of 1.01. The company has a fifty day moving average of $474.14 and a 200 day moving average of $499.00. Northrop Grumman Co. has a 12 month low of $418.60 and a 12 month high of $555.57.

Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The aerospace company reported $6.39 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.27 by $0.12. Northrop Grumman had a net margin of 10.17% and a return on equity of 26.24%. On average, research analysts predict that Northrop Grumman Co. will post 27.94 EPS for the current year.

Northrop Grumman Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 18th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 2nd were issued a $2.06 dividend. This represents a $8.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.87%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 2nd. Northrop Grumman's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 29.08%.

Northrop Grumman declared that its Board of Directors has approved a share repurchase plan on Wednesday, December 11th that allows the company to buyback $3.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the aerospace company to buy up to 4.3% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are typically an indication that the company's leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have commented on NOC. Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on Northrop Grumman from $500.00 to $540.00 and gave the stock a "sector perform" rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Susquehanna reduced their price objective on shares of Northrop Grumman from $625.00 to $557.00 and set a "positive" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on shares of Northrop Grumman from $595.00 to $574.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 31st. StockNews.com lowered Northrop Grumman from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, UBS Group decreased their price objective on shares of Northrop Grumman from $579.00 to $558.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report 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 stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus 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.