Hantz Financial Services Inc. Grows Stock Holdings in Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC)

Hantz Financial Services Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC - Free Report) by 14.4% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 11,714 shares of the aerospace company's stock after buying an additional 1,472 shares during the quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc.'s holdings in Northrop Grumman were worth $5,497,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Two Sigma Advisers LP boosted its stake in shares of Northrop Grumman by 102.6% in the 3rd quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP now owns 735,600 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $388,448,000 after purchasing an additional 372,500 shares in the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Northrop Grumman by 6.2% during the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 2,426,270 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $1,315,729,000 after buying an additional 141,816 shares in the last quarter. Wedge Capital Management L L P NC bought a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman in the 4th quarter valued at $66,171,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Northrop Grumman during the 4th quarter valued at $622,000. Finally, National Bank of Canada FI grew its position in Northrop Grumman by 154.7% during the 3rd quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 157,601 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $83,224,000 after acquiring an additional 95,724 shares during the last quarter. 83.40% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity

In related news, VP Benjamin R. Davies sold 1,156 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $532.93, for a total value of $616,067.08. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 537 shares in the company, valued at approximately $286,183.41. This represents a 68.28 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Insiders sold a total of 1,255 shares of company stock valued at $663,859 in the last ninety days. 0.22% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have recently commented on NOC shares. TD Cowen raised Northrop Grumman to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 8th. Barclays reduced their target price 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. Susquehanna lowered their price target on shares of Northrop Grumman from $625.00 to $557.00 and set a "positive" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Truist Financial began coverage on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research note on Tuesday, January 14th. They set a "buy" rating and a $544.00 target price for the company. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised shares of Northrop Grumman from an "equal weight" rating to an "overweight" rating and set a $595.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $550.94.

Northrop Grumman Stock Down 1.9 %

Shares of NYSE:NOC traded down $8.96 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $472.59. 527,816 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 823,880. Northrop Grumman Co. has a 12 month low of $418.60 and a 12 month high of $555.57. The company has a market cap of $68.86 billion, a PE ratio of 29.30, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.95 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 stock has a 50 day moving average price of $478.66 and a 200-day moving average price of $497.63.

Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The aerospace company reported $6.39 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.27 by $0.12. Northrop Grumman had a return on equity of 26.57% and a net margin of 5.79%. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Northrop Grumman Co. will post 25.96 EPS for the current fiscal year.

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

Northrop Grumman Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 18th. Investors of record on Monday, December 2nd were issued a dividend of $2.06 per share. This represents a $8.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.74%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 2nd. Northrop Grumman's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 51.05%.

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.