Lmcg Investments LLC Has $9.95 Million Stock Position in Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC)

Lmcg Investments LLC trimmed its holdings in Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC - Free Report) by 3.6% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 21,201 shares of the aerospace company's stock after selling 783 shares during the quarter. Lmcg Investments LLC's holdings in Northrop Grumman were worth $9,949,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. RPg Family Wealth Advisory LLC purchased a new position in Northrop Grumman during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $31,000. FSA Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Northrop Grumman in the 3rd quarter worth about $36,000. Modus Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Northrop Grumman during the 4th quarter worth about $38,000. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman in the 3rd quarter valued at about $40,000. Finally, True Wealth Design LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Northrop Grumman in the third quarter worth approximately $53,000. 83.40% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Northrop Grumman Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE NOC traded up $21.78 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $504.16. The stock had a trading volume of 1,309,771 shares, compared to its average volume of 820,172. Northrop Grumman Co. has a twelve month low of $418.60 and a twelve month high of $555.57. The company has a market cap of $73.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.24, a PEG ratio of 0.91 and a beta of 0.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 1.09 and a quick ratio of 0.97. The business's fifty day moving average is $479.52 and its two-hundred day moving average is $494.82.

Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The aerospace company reported $7.00 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $6.07 by $0.93. The business had revenue of $10 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $10.18 billion. Northrop Grumman had a net margin of 5.79% and a return on equity of 26.57%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 2.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $6.18 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that Northrop Grumman Co. will post 25.95 EPS for the current year.

Northrop Grumman Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 18th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 2nd were given a dividend of $2.06 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 2nd. This represents a $8.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.63%. Northrop Grumman's payout ratio is currently 51.05%.

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

NOC has been the topic of several research reports. Susquehanna dropped their price objective on shares of Northrop Grumman from $625.00 to $557.00 and set a "positive" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Barclays cut their price objective on Northrop Grumman from $550.00 to $500.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Monday, January 6th. Wells Fargo & Company raised Northrop Grumman from an "equal weight" rating to an "overweight" rating and set a $595.00 target price on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Northrop Grumman from $500.00 to $560.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Monday, October 14th. Finally, UBS Group increased their price objective on Northrop Grumman from $614.00 to $643.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, October 25th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $550.94.

Insider Activity

In other news, VP Benjamin R. Davies sold 1,156 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Monday, November 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $532.93, for a total value of $616,067.08. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 537 shares of the company's stock, valued at $286,183.41. The trade was a 68.28 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 1,255 shares of company stock valued at $663,859. 0.22% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

About Northrop Grumman

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.