Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) Given Consensus Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Shares of Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) have received a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the twenty analysts that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have given a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12-month target price among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $702.6316.

A number of analysts have weighed in on the company. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price objective on Northrop Grumman from $660.00 to $620.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on Northrop Grumman from $765.00 to $745.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 22nd. BTIG Research reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $815.00 price objective on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research report on Wednesday, April 22nd. Citigroup decreased their price objective on Northrop Grumman from $742.00 to $628.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, May 18th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research report on Monday, March 23rd.

Northrop Grumman Trading Up 0.4%

NYSE NOC opened at $557.96 on Wednesday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $629.49 and a 200-day simple moving average of $632.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a current ratio of 1.15. Northrop Grumman has a one year low of $468.50 and a one year high of $774.00. The firm has a market cap of $79.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.46, a PEG ratio of 3.79 and a beta of -0.11.

Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, April 21st. The aerospace company reported $6.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $6.06 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $9.88 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $9.75 billion. Northrop Grumman had a return on equity of 24.72% and a net margin of 10.80%.The business’s revenue was up 4.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $6.06 EPS. Northrop Grumman has set its FY 2026 guidance at 27.400-27.900 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Northrop Grumman will post 27.93 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Northrop Grumman Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 1st will be given a dividend of $2.47 per share. This represents a $9.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 1st. This is a positive change from Northrop Grumman’s previous quarterly dividend of $2.31. Northrop Grumman’s payout ratio is 28.92%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Northrop Grumman

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

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.