Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC) Shares Sold by Stokes Capital Advisors LLC

Stokes Capital Advisors LLC decreased its holdings in Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC) by 0.9% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 13,839 shares of the aerospace company’s stock after selling 125 shares during the quarter. Northrop Grumman accounts for about 1.9% of Stokes Capital Advisors LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 27th largest position. Stokes Capital Advisors LLC’s holdings in Northrop Grumman were worth $6,624,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. London Co. of Virginia acquired a new stake in shares of Northrop Grumman during the third quarter worth $165,786,000. Gulf International Bank UK Ltd raised its holdings in Northrop Grumman by 1,402.9% during the 1st quarter. Gulf International Bank UK Ltd now owns 12,925 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $6,186,000 after buying an additional 12,065 shares during the period. Fisher Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in Northrop Grumman by 7,574.5% during the fourth quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 123,637 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $57,879,000 after buying an additional 122,026 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. boosted its holdings in shares of Northrop Grumman by 19.7% in the fourth quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 16,515 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $7,731,000 after buying an additional 2,723 shares during the period. Finally, Red Mountain Financial LLC purchased a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman in the fourth quarter worth approximately $264,000. Institutional investors own 83.40% of the company’s stock.

Northrop Grumman Stock Up 0.2 %

Shares of NOC traded up $0.73 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $435.64. 187,226 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 990,499. The company has a quick ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04. Northrop Grumman Co. has a twelve month low of $414.56 and a twelve month high of $496.89. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $456.95 and a two-hundred day moving average of $459.90. The stock has a market cap of $64.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.41, a P/E/G ratio of 2.01 and a beta of 0.35.

Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, April 25th. The aerospace company reported $6.32 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.83 by $0.49. The company had revenue of $10.13 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.77 billion. Northrop Grumman had a return on equity of 24.09% and a net margin of 5.38%. The business’s revenue was up 8.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $5.50 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Northrop Grumman Co. will post 24.7 earnings per share for the current year.

Northrop Grumman Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 12th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, May 28th were given a dividend of $2.06 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 24th. This represents a $8.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.89%. This is a boost from Northrop Grumman’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.87. Northrop Grumman’s dividend payout ratio is presently 57.62%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on shares of Northrop Grumman from $483.00 to $518.00 in a research report on Tuesday, June 18th. BTIG Research began coverage on Northrop Grumman in a research report on Wednesday. They issued a “buy” rating and a $565.00 target price for the company. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price target on Northrop Grumman from $530.00 to $500.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, June 18th. Robert W. Baird raised their price objective on Northrop Grumman from $475.00 to $505.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, April 26th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded Northrop Grumman from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $510.36.

Northrop Grumman 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.