Portfolio Design Labs LLC Increases Stock Holdings in Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC)

Portfolio Design Labs LLC raised its position in shares of Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC - Free Report) by 125.8% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 1,041 shares of the aerospace company's stock after buying an additional 580 shares during the quarter. Portfolio Design Labs LLC's holdings in Northrop Grumman were worth $489,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Cornell Pochily Investment Advisors Inc. lifted its position in Northrop Grumman by 0.9% during the third quarter. Cornell Pochily Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 2,141 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $1,131,000 after acquiring an additional 20 shares during the last quarter. Asset Dedication LLC increased its position in shares of Northrop Grumman by 1.0% during the third quarter. Asset Dedication LLC now owns 2,025 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $1,069,000 after purchasing an additional 20 shares in the last quarter. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Northrop Grumman by 1.4% during the 3rd quarter. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,478 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $780,000 after purchasing an additional 20 shares during the last quarter. PBMares Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Northrop Grumman by 0.5% in the 3rd quarter. PBMares Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,421 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $2,335,000 after purchasing an additional 20 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Hudson Valley Investment Advisors Inc. ADV grew its stake in Northrop Grumman by 0.9% during the 3rd quarter. Hudson Valley Investment Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 2,262 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $1,194,000 after buying an additional 20 shares during the last quarter. 83.40% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Northrop Grumman Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE NOC traded down $16.36 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $438.70. 2,035,259 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 831,728. The company has a quick ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.96. The firm has a market cap of $63.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.48, a PEG ratio of 3.00 and a beta of 0.35. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $474.95 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $499.19. Northrop Grumman Co. has a twelve month low of $418.60 and a twelve month high of $555.57.

Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The aerospace company reported $6.39 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.27 by $0.12. Northrop Grumman had a net margin of 10.17% and a return on equity of 26.24%. As a group, analysts anticipate that Northrop Grumman Co. will post 27.94 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Northrop Grumman Dividend Announcement

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

Northrop Grumman announced that its board has approved a share buyback plan on Wednesday, December 11th that allows the company to repurchase $3.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the aerospace company to repurchase up to 4.3% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are typically a sign that the company's board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have commented on NOC shares. StockNews.com cut Northrop Grumman from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. UBS Group lowered their target price on shares of Northrop Grumman from $579.00 to $558.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Barclays cut their price target on shares of Northrop Grumman from $550.00 to $500.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of Northrop Grumman from $595.00 to $574.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on shares of Northrop Grumman from $500.00 to $540.00 and gave the company a "sector perform" rating in a report on Friday, October 25th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $544.56.

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.