First Trust Advisors LP reduced its holdings in Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC – Free Report) by 3.4% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 505,987 shares of the aerospace company’s stock after selling 17,838 shares during the quarter. First Trust Advisors LP’s holdings in Northrop Grumman were worth $345,205,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.
Other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Kestra Investment Management LLC raised its position in Northrop Grumman by 4.4% in the 4th quarter. Kestra Investment Management LLC now owns 353 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $201,000 after purchasing an additional 15 shares during the last quarter. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Northrop Grumman by 6.8% during the fourth quarter. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. now owns 235 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $134,000 after purchasing an additional 15 shares during the last quarter. Howard Financial Services LTD. grew its holdings in shares of Northrop Grumman by 1.4% during the fourth quarter. Howard Financial Services LTD. now owns 1,143 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $651,000 after purchasing an additional 16 shares during the last quarter. Frank Rimerman Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Northrop Grumman by 0.8% in the fourth quarter. Frank Rimerman Advisors LLC now owns 1,973 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $1,125,000 after buying an additional 16 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC increased its stake in shares of Northrop Grumman by 0.4% in the fourth quarter. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC now owns 4,012 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $2,288,000 after buying an additional 16 shares in the last quarter. 83.40% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth
A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Jefferies Financial Group cut their price target on Northrop Grumman from $620.00 to $580.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Friday, June 26th. Wells Fargo & Company restated an “overweight” rating and issued a $620.00 price objective on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research report on Wednesday, July 8th. BTIG Research reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $815.00 target price on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research note on Wednesday, April 22nd. Raymond James Financial reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research report on Monday, June 15th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut shares of Northrop Grumman from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, April 25th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and ten have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $676.29.
Northrop Grumman Trading Down 2.9%
Shares of NOC opened at $508.84 on Wednesday. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $536.62 and its 200-day simple moving average is $623.35. The firm has a market capitalization of $72.27 billion, a PE ratio of 15.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.54 and a beta of -0.10. Northrop Grumman Corporation has a 12-month low of $479.02 and a 12-month high of $774.00. The company has a quick ratio of 1.04, a current ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84.
Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 21st. The aerospace company reported $7.68 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $6.82 by $0.86. The firm had revenue of $10.88 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.80 billion. Northrop Grumman had a return on equity of 24.72% and a net margin of 10.80%.The company’s revenue was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $8.15 earnings per share. Northrop Grumman has set its FY 2026 guidance at 28.600-29.100 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Northrop Grumman Corporation will post 27.96 earnings per share for the current year.
Northrop Grumman Increases Dividend
The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 1st were given a dividend of $2.47 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 1st. This represents a $9.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. This is a positive change from Northrop Grumman’s previous quarterly dividend of $2.31. Northrop Grumman’s dividend payout ratio is presently 30.92%.
Key Stories Impacting Northrop Grumman
Here are the key news stories impacting Northrop Grumman this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Northrop Grumman beat Q2 expectations, reporting $7.68 in EPS versus $6.84 expected and revenue of $10.88 billion versus $10.80 billion expected. Northrop Grumman beats Q2 estimates, raises guidance
- Positive Sentiment: The company raised its full-year 2026 outlook, with EPS guidance now at $28.60 to $29.10 and revenue guidance of $43.8 billion to $44.3 billion, signaling management confidence in demand and execution. Northrop Grumman raises 2026 forecasts on strong weapons demand
- Positive Sentiment: Backlog hit a record roughly $105 billion, reflecting very strong order activity across key defense programs and giving investors long-term revenue visibility. Northrop Grumman Lifts Outlook as Second-Quarter Orders Boost Backlog to Record High
- Neutral Sentiment: Management and coverage around the call emphasized strong demand, but also noted margin pressure in some segments, which may be limiting enthusiasm despite the earnings beat. Northrop Grumman Corp (NOC) Q2 2026 Earnings Call Highlights: Record Backlog and Raised …
- Negative Sentiment: Shares are being sold off anyway, suggesting the market is prioritizing valuation, margin concerns, and broader defense-sector rotation over the otherwise strong quarter. Northrop Reports Q2 Double Beat, Record Backlog — Stock Falls Anyway
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.
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