Panoramic Capital Partners LLC Takes Position in Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC)

Panoramic Capital Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 703 shares of the aerospace company's stock, valued at approximately $330,000.

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on NOC shares. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on Northrop Grumman from $595.00 to $574.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 31st. Susquehanna dropped their price objective on Northrop Grumman from $625.00 to $557.00 and set a "positive" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Barclays dropped their price objective 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. StockNews.com downgraded Northrop Grumman from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, Wolfe Research upgraded Northrop Grumman from an "underperform" rating to a "peer perform" rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Northrop Grumman presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $544.56.

Northrop Grumman Stock Performance

NOC stock traded down $16.36 during trading on Friday, reaching $438.70. 2,035,259 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 894,261. The company has a quick ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.96. Northrop Grumman Co. has a 1-year low of $418.60 and a 1-year high of $555.57. The company's fifty day moving average price is $475.65 and its 200-day moving average price is $499.46. The firm has a market cap of $63.51 billion, a PE ratio of 15.48, a P/E/G ratio of 3.00 and a beta of 0.35.

Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The aerospace company reported $6.39 EPS for the quarter, topping 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%. On average, research analysts expect that Northrop Grumman Co. will post 27.94 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Northrop Grumman Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 18th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 2nd were paid a $2.06 dividend. This represents a $8.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.88%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 2nd. Northrop Grumman's dividend payout ratio is presently 29.08%.

Northrop Grumman announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a share repurchase program on Wednesday, December 11th that authorizes the company to buyback $3.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the aerospace company to repurchase up to 4.3% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are typically a sign that the company's leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Northrop Grumman Company Profile

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.