Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) Given New $750.00 Price Target at Bank of America

Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) had its target price upped by Bank of America from $685.00 to $750.00 in a report issued on Wednesday morning,Benzinga reports. They currently have a buy rating on the aerospace company’s stock.

A number of other research analysts also recently weighed in on the stock. Vertical Research reaffirmed a “hold” rating and issued a $688.00 target price on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research report on Tuesday. Citigroup lifted their target price on shares of Northrop Grumman from $654.00 to $715.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. Truist Financial reiterated a “hold” rating and set a $623.00 price objective (down previously from $688.00) on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research report on Friday, January 9th. BNP Paribas Exane started coverage on Northrop Grumman in a research report on Tuesday, November 18th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $710.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research report on Wednesday, December 24th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $685.11.

Northrop Grumman Price Performance

Shares of NOC stock opened at $689.05 on Wednesday. Northrop Grumman has a 52 week low of $426.24 and a 52 week high of $690.74. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $594.57 and its 200-day moving average is $586.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a current ratio of 1.10. The stock has a market capitalization of $98.34 billion, a PE ratio of 24.79, a PEG ratio of 5.73 and a beta of 0.05.

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

Northrop Grumman Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 1st were issued a dividend of $2.31 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 1st. This represents a $9.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.3%. Northrop Grumman’s payout ratio is presently 33.24%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Kathy J. Warden sold 3,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $615.00, for a total value of $1,845,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 191,602 shares in the company, valued at $117,835,230. The trade was a 1.54% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Mark A. Welsh III sold 97 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $564.08, for a total value of $54,715.76. Following the sale, the director owned 4,281 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,414,826.48. The trade was a 2.22% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold a total of 10,097 shares of company stock valued at $6,099,716 in the last three months. Insiders own 0.23% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Northrop Grumman

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of NOC. Focused Investors LLC boosted its position in shares of Northrop Grumman by 4.1% during the 3rd quarter. Focused Investors LLC now owns 211,800 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $129,054,000 after acquiring an additional 8,300 shares in the last quarter. Mitchell Mcleod Pugh & Williams Inc. increased its holdings in Northrop Grumman by 29.4% in the second quarter. Mitchell Mcleod Pugh & Williams Inc. now owns 1,848 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $924,000 after purchasing an additional 420 shares during the period. Merit Financial Group LLC increased its position in Northrop Grumman by 74.5% during the 3rd quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 11,060 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $6,739,000 after purchasing an additional 4,721 shares during the period. Oak Thistle LLC acquired a new stake in Northrop Grumman during the third quarter worth approximately $1,015,000. Finally, Mawer Investment Management Ltd. bought a new stake in Northrop Grumman in the second quarter valued at $491,985,000. Institutional investors own 83.40% of the company’s stock.

Northrop Grumman News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 beat, margins and backlog reinforce demand — NOC reported Q4 EPS above estimates ($7.23 vs. ~$6.97), revenue up ~9.6% YoY and a record backlog (~$95.7B). Improved operating margins and strong free cash flow pressured by defense and aeronautics strength are being viewed as durable earnings drivers. Northrop Grumman posts higher quarterly profit as geopolitical uncertainty fuels demand
• Positive Sentiment: Technical breakout and institutional inflows — MarketBeat highlights a breakout from a consolidation range and a confirmed buy signal after the earnings release, which attracted renewed buying and helped validate upside momentum. That technical confirmation is supporting the rally. Northrop Grumman Flashed a Buy Signal—And the Market Backed It Up
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst upgrades and higher targets — Multiple shops (Citigroup, BTIG, BofA among others) raised price targets and reiterated Buy ratings after the report, giving the stock further support from the sell‑side. Analyst price-target/upgrade coverage summary
• Neutral Sentiment: Cautious FY‑2026 guidance — Management set FY‑2026 EPS guidance of $27.40–$27.90 and revenue guidance slightly below Street consensus, which investors interpret as conservative given the backlog; the guidance tempers but does not erase the positive Q4 print. Northrop Grumman Posts Q4 Beat, 2026 Outlook Disappoints
• Neutral Sentiment: Strategic contracts and partnerships provide runway — Company commentary and coverage note continued contract wins and international partnerships across aeronautics and space that support medium‑term revenue visibility, but these are longer‑dated catalysts. Northrop Grumman Builds Momentum With Strategic Contracts and Global Defense Partnerships
• Negative Sentiment: Buyback pause to accelerate B‑21 production — Management signaled a pause/shift in buybacks to prioritize accelerating B‑21 production, which reduces near‑term capital return and may concern income/return-focused holders. Northrop Grumman Expects Agreement Soon To Accelerate B-21 Production; Pausing Buybacks
• Negative Sentiment: Insider selling noted — Recent filings show insider sales (including at senior levels), which can be interpreted as a minor near‑term headwind for sentiment even if not indicative of company fundamentals. QuiverQuant earnings/insider activity summary

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.