Insider Selling: Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) VP Sells $1,575,226.29 in Stock

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) VP Benjamin Davies sold 2,189 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $719.61, for a total value of $1,575,226.29. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president owned 151 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $108,661.11. The trade was a 93.55% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link.

Northrop Grumman Stock Down 1.9%

Shares of NYSE:NOC opened at $722.73 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.10, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91. The firm has a market cap of $102.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.81, a PEG ratio of 5.37 and a beta of 0.04. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $642.66 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $603.76. Northrop Grumman Corporation has a 12-month low of $437.83 and a 12-month high of $745.55.

Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 27th. The aerospace company reported $7.23 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.97 by $0.26. Northrop Grumman had a net margin of 9.97% and a return on equity of 25.57%. The business had revenue of $11.71 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.61 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $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. On average, research analysts forecast that Northrop Grumman Corporation will post 28.05 EPS for the current year.

Northrop Grumman Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 11th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 23rd will be issued a $2.31 dividend. This represents a $9.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 23rd. Northrop Grumman’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 31.72%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on NOC shares. Morgan Stanley reiterated an “overweight” rating and issued a $765.00 target price on shares of Northrop Grumman in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. UBS Group lifted their price objective on Northrop Grumman from $777.00 to $778.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Susquehanna reiterated a “positive” rating and set a $752.00 target price on shares of Northrop Grumman in a report on Thursday, January 15th. BNP Paribas Exane started coverage on shares of Northrop Grumman in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $710.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $765.00 price target on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research report on Thursday, January 29th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Northrop Grumman has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $693.60.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Northrop Grumman

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Parvin Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Northrop Grumman during the second quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Torren Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman in the fourth quarter valued at $26,000. Karpus Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Northrop Grumman during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Financial Life Planners purchased a new stake in Northrop Grumman during the 3rd quarter worth $27,000. Finally, Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in Northrop Grumman by 200.0% in the 3rd quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 48 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 32 shares in the last quarter. 83.40% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.