BTIG Research reissued their buy rating on shares of Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC – Free Report) in a research report released on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a $815.00 price target on the aerospace company’s stock.
Other equities analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. Bank of America increased their price target on Northrop Grumman from $685.00 to $750.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Morgan Stanley reissued an “overweight” rating and set a $765.00 price target on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a “buy” rating and set a $765.00 price target on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research report on Thursday, January 29th. Argus set a $785.00 price target on Northrop Grumman in a research report on Tuesday, February 10th. Finally, Truist Financial reissued a “hold” rating and set a $623.00 price target (down from $688.00) on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research report on Friday, January 9th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have assigned a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $718.53.
View Our Latest Stock Analysis on NOC
Northrop Grumman Stock Performance
Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 21st. The aerospace company reported $6.14 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.06 by $0.08. The company had revenue of $9.88 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.75 billion. Northrop Grumman had a return on equity of 24.72% and a net margin of 10.80%.Northrop Grumman’s quarterly revenue was up 4.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $6.06 EPS. Northrop Grumman has set its FY 2026 guidance at 27.400-27.900 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Northrop Grumman will post 27.83 earnings per share for the current year.
Northrop Grumman Dividend Announcement
The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 11th. Investors of record on Monday, February 23rd were paid a dividend of $2.31 per share. This represents a $9.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.6%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 23rd. Northrop Grumman’s dividend payout ratio is 31.72%.
Insider Buying and Selling
In related news, Director Mark A. Welsh III sold 95 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $684.52, for a total transaction of $65,029.40. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 4,203 shares in the company, valued at $2,877,037.56. This represents a 2.21% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, VP Benjamin R. Davies sold 2,189 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $719.61, for a total value of $1,575,226.29. Following the sale, the vice president owned 151 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $108,661.11. This trade represents a 93.55% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 22,431 shares of company stock valued at $15,924,404. Company insiders own 0.21% of the company’s stock.
Institutional Investors Weigh In On Northrop Grumman
A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in NOC. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its stake in shares of Northrop Grumman by 176.3% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 2,970 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $1,394,000 after purchasing an additional 1,895 shares during the last quarter. Bison Wealth LLC raised its stake in Northrop Grumman by 5.3% in the fourth quarter. Bison Wealth LLC now owns 641 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $301,000 after buying an additional 32 shares during the last quarter. Woodline Partners LP raised its stake in Northrop Grumman by 367.7% in the first quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 2,516 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $1,288,000 after buying an additional 1,978 shares during the last quarter. AXA S.A. raised its stake in Northrop Grumman by 1,487.8% in the second quarter. AXA S.A. now owns 16,338 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $8,169,000 after buying an additional 15,309 shares during the last quarter. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC raised its stake in Northrop Grumman by 6.7% in the second quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 8,865 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $4,432,000 after buying an additional 553 shares during the last quarter. 83.40% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
Trending Headlines about Northrop Grumman
Here are the key news stories impacting Northrop Grumman this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Q1 beat on both revenue and EPS, showing continued demand across Aeronautics and Missile Systems — strengthens near‑term earnings visibility. NOC Q1 Deep Dive: Defense Demand, Production Ramps, and Margin Recovery Shape Outlook
- Positive Sentiment: Large backlog and program momentum (B‑21, missile systems, Sentinel) plus comments that defense spending could meaningfully rise support multi‑year revenue visibility. Northrop Grumman Says Defense Spending Could Reach Cold War Era Levels
- Positive Sentiment: Several sell‑side firms remain constructive (BTIG reaffirmed Buy with an $815 target; others keep high price targets), providing longer‑term analyst support. BTIG buy rating / analyst coverage
- Neutral Sentiment: Morgan Stanley trimmed its price target (from $765 to $745) but kept an overweight stance — a mixed signal that tempers upside while maintaining conviction. Morgan Stanley price target update
- Neutral Sentiment: RBC highlights the company is well‑positioned across strategic programs, supporting the structural thesis even as near‑term execution is re‑priced. Northrop Grumman Remains Well-Positioned Across Strategic Programs and Defense Portfolios, RBC Says
- Negative Sentiment: Management reaffirmed FY‑2026 guidance (EPS 27.40–27.90) rather than increasing it; that disappointed investors who had anticipated an upward revision after the quarter. Northrop Grumman reaffirms 2026 sales outlook while lifting 2026 capex
- Negative Sentiment: Q1 cash flow was a material use (operating and free cash flow outflows), and management raised 2026 capex to ~$1.85B for the B‑21 ramp — signaling heavier near‑term cash intensity. Northrop Grumman falls as investors focus on Q1 cash burn and a Space Systems charge
- Negative Sentiment: Space Systems reported an unfavorable program adjustment (~$71M on the GEM 63XL launch anomaly) that hit margins and raised execution risk concerns. Program adjustment details (GEM 63XL)
- Negative Sentiment: Near‑term investor reaction included selloffs and a few cautious analyst moves (Bernstein moved to Hold), and visible insider selling noted in filings — factors that can amplify short‑term downside. Northrop Grumman Receives a Hold from Bernstein
About Northrop Grumman
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.
Further Reading
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