Associated Banc Corp Trims Holdings in Northrop Grumman Corporation $NOC

Associated Banc Corp trimmed its holdings in Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) by 5.8% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 37,678 shares of the aerospace company’s stock after selling 2,312 shares during the quarter. Associated Banc Corp’s holdings in Northrop Grumman were worth $25,705,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. Diversify Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Northrop Grumman by 78.7% during the first quarter. Diversify Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,617 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $1,103,000 after acquiring an additional 712 shares in the last quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. increased its stake in Northrop Grumman by 45.9% during the 1st quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. now owns 569 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $388,000 after purchasing an additional 179 shares in the last quarter. 180 Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Northrop Grumman by 8.7% in the first quarter. 180 Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,300 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $887,000 after buying an additional 104 shares during the last quarter. Midwest Trust Co boosted its stake in Northrop Grumman by 1.3% during the 1st quarter. Midwest Trust Co now owns 76,035 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $51,874,000 after purchasing an additional 959 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fifth Third Bancorp increased its holdings in Northrop Grumman by 158.9% in the 1st quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 47,348 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $32,303,000 after buying an additional 29,062 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.40% of the company’s stock.

Northrop Grumman News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: NATO’s plan to acquire up to five Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton drones reinforces demand for the company’s surveillance and maritime security platforms, a potential tailwind for future revenue. Northrop Grumman (NOC) Wins NATO Backing For Up To Five Triton Drones
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts continue to view Northrop Grumman as reasonably attractive, with a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy,” which can help support investor confidence ahead of the next earnings report. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) Receives Consensus Rating of “Moderate Buy” from Analysts
• Positive Sentiment: Several articles argue Northrop is positioned to beat earnings estimates again, citing its history of topping expectations and favorable setup for the upcoming quarterly report. Why Northrop Grumman (NOC) is Poised to Beat Earnings Estimates Again
• Neutral Sentiment: Market commentary and valuation-focused pieces suggest the stock may be fairly priced after a strong multi-year run, which could limit upside unless earnings or contract growth surprise to the upside. Northrop Grumman (NOC) Stock Looks Fairly Priced Following A 62% Run
• Negative Sentiment: Some recent commentary highlights cost and capital spending concerns, which could weigh on margins if defense program execution becomes more expensive. Northrop Grumman (NOC) After Talpins Interest And Cost Concerns, Bargain Or Fairly Valued?

Northrop Grumman Price Performance

NOC traded up $7.26 during trading on Friday, hitting $539.49. 455,716 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 991,342. The company has a market cap of $76.62 billion, a PE ratio of 16.89, a P/E/G ratio of 3.65 and a beta of -0.10. Northrop Grumman Corporation has a 1 year low of $493.84 and a 1 year high of $774.00. The company has a current ratio of 1.15, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $541.29 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $625.68.

Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 21st. The aerospace company reported $6.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $6.06 by $0.08. Northrop Grumman had a return on equity of 24.72% and a net margin of 10.80%.The business had revenue of $9.88 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.75 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $6.06 EPS. The company’s revenue was up 4.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Northrop Grumman has set its FY 2026 guidance at 27.400-27.900 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Northrop Grumman Corporation will post 27.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Northrop Grumman Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 17th. Investors of record on Monday, June 1st were given a $2.47 dividend. This is an increase from Northrop Grumman’s previous quarterly dividend of $2.31. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, June 1st. This represents a $9.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.8%. Northrop Grumman’s dividend payout ratio is currently 30.92%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages recently commented on NOC. Wall Street Zen lowered Northrop Grumman from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, April 25th. Citigroup cut their price objective on shares of Northrop Grumman from $628.00 to $587.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 1st. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their target price on Northrop Grumman from $620.00 to $580.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, June 26th. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed an “outperform” rating on shares of Northrop Grumman in a report on Monday, June 15th. Finally, UBS Group dropped their price target on shares of Northrop Grumman from $806.00 to $745.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 23rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $688.89.

Northrop Grumman 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.