Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) Stock Price Expected to Rise, Citigroup Analyst Says

Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) had its target price boosted by Citigroup from $715.00 to $781.00 in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a “buy” rating on the aerospace company’s stock. Citigroup’s price objective points to a potential upside of 12.54% from the stock’s previous close.

NOC has been the subject of a number of other reports. Sanford C. Bernstein reiterated a “market perform” rating and set a $727.00 price objective on shares of Northrop Grumman in a report on Monday, January 12th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price target on shares of Northrop Grumman from $715.00 to $750.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Morgan Stanley reiterated an “overweight” rating and issued a $765.00 price objective on shares of Northrop Grumman in a report on Wednesday. UBS Group increased their target price on shares of Northrop Grumman from $777.00 to $778.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday. Finally, BTIG Research lifted their price target on shares of Northrop Grumman from $680.00 to $815.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $688.72.

Northrop Grumman Trading Up 0.7%

NOC opened at $693.95 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $98.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.82, a P/E/G ratio of 5.79 and a beta of 0.05. The company has a current ratio of 1.10, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91. Northrop Grumman has a 12 month low of $426.24 and a 12 month high of $705.45. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $597.08 and its 200 day simple moving average is $587.22.

Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The aerospace company reported $7.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $6.97 by $0.26. Northrop Grumman had a return on equity of 25.57% and a net margin of 9.97%.The firm had revenue of $11.71 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $11.61 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $6.39 EPS. The company’s revenue was up 9.6% on a year-over-year basis. Northrop Grumman has set its FY 2026 guidance at 27.400-27.900 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Northrop Grumman will post 28.05 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Northrop Grumman

In related news, Director Mark A. Welsh III sold 97 shares of Northrop Grumman stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $564.08, for a total transaction of $54,715.76. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 4,281 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,414,826.48. This trade represents a 2.22% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Kathy J. Warden sold 7,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $600.00, for a total value of $4,200,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 194,602 shares in the company, valued at $116,761,200. This represents a 3.47% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last three months, insiders sold 10,097 shares of company stock valued at $6,099,716. Insiders own 0.23% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Anchyra Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Northrop Grumman during the 4th quarter valued at $559,000. D.A. Davidson & CO. raised its position in shares of Northrop Grumman by 4.8% in the fourth quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 9,437 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $5,381,000 after purchasing an additional 432 shares during the period. Inscription Capital LLC lifted its stake in shares of Northrop Grumman by 5.2% during the 4th quarter. Inscription Capital LLC now owns 465 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $265,000 after buying an additional 23 shares during the last quarter. Matisse Capital bought a new stake in shares of Northrop Grumman during the 4th quarter worth about $222,000. Finally, Simon Quick Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Northrop Grumman in the 4th quarter valued at about $217,000. 83.40% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Northrop Grumman News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Northrop Grumman this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 beat, stronger margins, record backlog and cash flow — Northrop reported higher-than-expected EPS and revenue, expanded operating margin, produced strong free cash flow and a record backlog that supports future revenue visibility. Northrop Grumman posts higher quarterly profit
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts lifting forecasts and price targets — multiple firms have boosted earnings/price targets and reiterated buy ratings after the Q4 beat (notable increases cited by several outlets), providing near-term upside support. These Analysts Boost Their Forecasts On Northrop Grumman
• Positive Sentiment: Technical breakout / buy signal attracted capital — MarketBeat highlights a breakout from consolidation into new highs and says the move was confirmed after earnings, which has drawn momentum buyers and institutional inflows. Northrop Grumman Flashed a Buy Signal—And the Market Backed It Up
• Positive Sentiment: Contracts, partnerships and defense tailwinds — coverage notes new strategic contracts and global defense partnerships, and cites geopolitical demand as a driver for sustained revenue growth across segments. NOC Builds Momentum With Strategic Contracts
• Neutral Sentiment: Longer-term opportunity in advanced tech ecosystems — an analyst piece that highlights NOC as an enabler in quantum/advanced systems suggests multi-year structural growth, but the near-term revenue/earnings impact is uncertain. Quantum’s Next Winners? 3 Enablers
• Negative Sentiment: Cautious FY26 guidance disappointed some investors — management’s FY26 outlook came in below some expectations, which tempers near-term sentiment despite the Q4 beat. Q4 Beat, 2026 Outlook Disappoints
• Negative Sentiment: Buybacks paused to accelerate B‑21 production — management signaled pausing share repurchases while pursuing agreements to speed B‑21 output; this reduces one near-term shareholder-support mechanism even if it funds prioritized program delivery. Expect Agreement Soon To Accelerate B-21 Production; Pausing Buybacks

Northrop Grumman Company Profile

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) is a leading U.S.-based aerospace and defense company that designs, builds and sustains advanced systems, products and technologies for government and commercial customers. Formed through the combination of Northrop and Grumman businesses in the 1990s, the company’s portfolio spans manned and unmanned aircraft, space systems, missile defense, radar and sensor systems, and integrated command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) solutions.

The company’s work includes airframe and platform manufacturing, space hardware and satellite systems, advanced mission systems and cybersecurity services, as well as logistics, sustainment and modernization programs.