NetScout Systems (NASDAQ:NTCT) Trading Down 1% - What's Next?

NetScout Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:NTCT - Get Free Report) shares dropped 1% on Friday . The company traded as low as $21.07 and last traded at $21.23. Approximately 141,018 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 72% from the average daily volume of 498,019 shares. The stock had previously closed at $21.44.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on NTCT. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on NetScout Systems from $22.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock a "sector perform" rating in a report on Friday, January 31st. StockNews.com upgraded shares of NetScout Systems from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 10th.

NetScout Systems Price Performance

The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $22.72 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $21.89. The company has a quick ratio of 1.78, a current ratio of 1.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -3.74 and a beta of 0.64.

NetScout Systems (NASDAQ:NTCT - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The technology company reported $0.78 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.74 by $0.04. NetScout Systems had a positive return on equity of 6.76% and a negative net margin of 50.90%. As a group, research analysts predict that NetScout Systems, Inc. will post 1.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other NetScout Systems news, insider Jean A. Bua sold 11,999 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $23.92, for a total transaction of $287,016.08. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 71,361 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,706,955.12. This represents a 14.39 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, COO Michael Szabados sold 6,500 shares of NetScout Systems stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $23.47, for a total transaction of $152,555.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 35,989 shares in the company, valued at approximately $844,661.83. This trade represents a 15.30 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 21,499 shares of company stock worth $512,321. Corporate insiders own 3.71% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of NetScout Systems

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Russell Investments Group Ltd. raised its position in NetScout Systems by 1,214.4% during the fourth quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 1,367 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 1,263 shares during the period. Quarry LP increased its holdings in shares of NetScout Systems by 316.8% in the 3rd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 1,513 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 1,150 shares during the period. FMR LLC lifted its position in shares of NetScout Systems by 32.1% in the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 1,964 shares of the technology company's stock worth $43,000 after purchasing an additional 477 shares in the last quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC grew its position in NetScout Systems by 811.9% during the fourth quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 2,216 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $48,000 after purchasing an additional 1,973 shares in the last quarter. Finally, KBC Group NV increased its stake in NetScout Systems by 52.4% in the 3rd quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 3,100 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $67,000 after buying an additional 1,066 shares during the period. 91.64% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

NetScout Systems Company Profile

NetScout Systems, Inc provides service assurance and cybersecurity solutions for protect digital business services against disruptions in the United States, Europe, Asia, and internationally. The company offers nGeniusONE management software that enables customers to predict, preempt, and resolve network and service delivery problems, as well as facilitate the optimization and capacity planning of their network infrastructures; and specialized platforms and analytic modules that enable its customers to analyze and troubleshoot traffic in radio access and Wi-Fi networks.