Russell Investments Group Ltd. Acquires 9,558 Shares of Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC)

Russell Investments Group Ltd. grew its stake in Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC - Free Report) by 4.3% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 233,882 shares of the aerospace company's stock after purchasing an additional 9,558 shares during the quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. owned approximately 0.16% of Northrop Grumman worth $109,758,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Whipplewood Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Northrop Grumman during the 4th quarter worth $31,000. Albion Financial Group UT purchased a new stake in shares of Northrop Grumman during the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000. Modus Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Northrop Grumman in the 4th quarter worth approximately $38,000. Stonebridge Financial Group LLC bought a new position in Northrop Grumman during the fourth quarter valued at $42,000. Finally, Rakuten Securities Inc. grew its stake in shares of Northrop Grumman by 291.7% during the 4th quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. now owns 94 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $44,000 after acquiring an additional 70 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 83.40% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity at Northrop Grumman

In other news, VP Benjamin R. Davies sold 192 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $429.08, for a total transaction of $82,383.36. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 709 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $304,217.72. The trade was a 21.31 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Kathy J. Warden sold 3,750 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $475.65, for a total value of $1,783,687.50. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 212,852 shares of the company's stock, valued at $101,243,053.80. The trade was a 1.73 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 4,505 shares of company stock worth $2,127,182 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 0.22% of the company's stock.

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Northrop Grumman Trading Up 3.4 %

Shares of NYSE:NOC traded up $17.34 on Friday, reaching $533.43. 495,979 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 866,173. The stock has a market capitalization of $76.89 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.73 and a beta of 0.20. The business's 50-day simple moving average is $480.81 and its 200 day simple moving average is $491.62. The company has a current ratio of 1.01, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.96. Northrop Grumman Co. has a 52 week low of $418.60 and a 52 week high of $555.57.

Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The aerospace company reported $6.39 earnings per share for the quarter, beating 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%. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Northrop Grumman Co. will post 28.05 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Northrop Grumman Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 19th. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd were paid a $2.06 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $8.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.54%. Northrop Grumman's payout ratio is presently 29.08%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently issued reports on NOC. Susquehanna lowered their price target on shares of Northrop Grumman from $625.00 to $557.00 and set a "positive" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. StockNews.com cut shares of Northrop Grumman from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Barclays cut their price target 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. Argus upgraded Northrop Grumman to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 26th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on Northrop Grumman from $545.00 to $547.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, March 7th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $543.65.

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.