Seaport Res Ptn Issues Pessimistic Outlook for NOC Earnings

Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC) – Equities researchers at Seaport Res Ptn dropped their Q1 2025 earnings per share estimates for shares of Northrop Grumman in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, January 30th. Seaport Res Ptn analyst R. Safran now anticipates that the aerospace company will post earnings per share of $6.42 for the quarter, down from their previous estimate of $6.51. The consensus estimate for Northrop Grumman’s current full-year earnings is $25.96 per share. Seaport Res Ptn also issued estimates for Northrop Grumman’s Q2 2025 earnings at $6.65 EPS, Q3 2025 earnings at $6.88 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $7.70 EPS and FY2025 earnings at $27.64 EPS.

Several other analysts have also recently commented on the stock. Susquehanna dropped their target price on shares of Northrop Grumman from $625.00 to $557.00 and set a “positive” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. UBS Group dropped their price objective on Northrop Grumman from $579.00 to $558.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Friday. TD Cowen upgraded Northrop Grumman to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 8th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price target on Northrop Grumman from $500.00 to $540.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Citigroup raised shares of Northrop Grumman from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $587.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 21st. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $544.31.

Northrop Grumman Stock Up 0.7 %

Shares of NYSE:NOC opened at $486.97 on Monday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $478.20 and a 200-day moving average of $498.35. Northrop Grumman has a one year low of $418.60 and a one year high of $555.57. The stock has a market cap of $70.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.17, a P/E/G ratio of 0.91 and a beta of 0.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 1.09 and a quick ratio of 0.97.

Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The aerospace company reported $6.39 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.27 by $0.12. Northrop Grumman had a return on equity of 26.57% and a net margin of 5.79%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Northrop Grumman

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. RPg Family Wealth Advisory LLC acquired a new position in Northrop Grumman during the third quarter valued at approximately $31,000. FSA Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Northrop Grumman during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $36,000. Albion Financial Group UT acquired a new stake in shares of Northrop Grumman in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman in the third quarter valued at $40,000. Finally, Modus Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Northrop Grumman during the fourth quarter worth $38,000. 83.40% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, VP Benjamin R. Davies sold 1,156 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, November 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $532.93, for a total value of $616,067.08. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 537 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $286,183.41. This trade represents a 68.28 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Over the last three months, insiders sold 1,255 shares of company stock worth $663,859. 0.22% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Northrop Grumman announced that its Board of Directors has approved a share repurchase plan on Wednesday, December 11th that permits the company to repurchase $3.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the aerospace company to buy up to 4.3% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are typically an indication that the company’s board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Northrop Grumman Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 18th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 2nd were given a dividend of $2.06 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 2nd. This represents a $8.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.69%. Northrop Grumman’s dividend payout ratio is currently 51.05%.

Northrop Grumman Company 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.