Northwest Financial Advisors Purchases 591 Shares of Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC)

Northwest Financial Advisors lifted its position in Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC - Free Report) by 386.3% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 744 shares of the aerospace company's stock after purchasing an additional 591 shares during the quarter. Northwest Financial Advisors' holdings in Northrop Grumman were worth $349,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. RPg Family Wealth Advisory LLC purchased a new stake in Northrop Grumman during the third quarter valued at about $31,000. Albion Financial Group UT purchased a new stake in Northrop Grumman during the 4th quarter valued at about $33,000. FSA Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Northrop Grumman during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $36,000. Modus Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Northrop Grumman in the 4th quarter worth approximately $38,000. Finally, Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Northrop Grumman in the third quarter valued at approximately $40,000. 83.40% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms recently commented on NOC. TD Cowen upgraded shares of Northrop Grumman to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, October 8th. Citigroup raised shares of Northrop Grumman from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $587.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Tuesday, January 21st. Susquehanna cut their target price on Northrop Grumman from $625.00 to $557.00 and set a "positive" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. 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. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Northrop Grumman from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Sunday, January 19th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $550.94.

Northrop Grumman Stock Down 3.3 %

Shares of NOC traded down $16.55 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $486.68. The company had a trading volume of 1,036,700 shares, compared to its average volume of 840,029. Northrop Grumman Co. has a 52 week low of $418.60 and a 52 week high of $555.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.00, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a current ratio of 1.09. The company has a market capitalization of $70.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.15, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.95 and a beta of 0.35. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $478.95 and a 200 day moving average price of $497.36.

Northrop Grumman Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 18th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 2nd were paid a $2.06 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 2nd. This represents a $8.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.69%. Northrop Grumman's dividend payout ratio is currently 51.05%.

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

Insider Transactions at Northrop Grumman

In related news, VP Benjamin R. Davies sold 1,156 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $532.93, for a total transaction of $616,067.08. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 537 shares of the company's stock, valued at $286,183.41. This trade represents a 68.28 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders sold a total of 1,255 shares of company stock valued at $663,859 in the last quarter. 0.22% of the stock is 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.