Pure Financial Advisors LLC Acquires Shares of 4,938 Northrop Grumman Corporation $NOC

Pure Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 4,938 shares of the aerospace company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,515,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Financial Life Planners bought a new position in Northrop Grumman in the first quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Torren Management LLC acquired a new stake in Northrop Grumman during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Karpus Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Northrop Grumman during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Whipplewood Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Northrop Grumman by 380.0% in the 1st quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 48 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 38 shares during the period. Finally, Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman in the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. 83.40% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Key Headlines Impacting Northrop Grumman

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

• Positive Sentiment: Northrop Grumman expects to win a “decent share” of the potentially massive Golden Dome missile-defense program. CEO Kathy Warden’s comments reinforce the company’s positioning in space-based defense, although contracts and award values have not yet been finalized. Northrop Grumman expects decent share of Golden Dome missile defense
• Positive Sentiment: The company is expanding its international defense business as allied nations increase military spending. International sales are rising, and management is targeting approximately $10 billion in annual international revenue by 2031, suggesting a potential long-term growth avenue beyond U.S. government demand. Is Northrop Grumman Expanding Its International Defense Business?
• Positive Sentiment: Management says Northrop is operating on a “wartime footing,” while geopolitical tensions and active conflicts are driving a global defense-spending boom. That backdrop could support demand for the company’s missile, space and other defense platforms. Northrop Grumman Is on a Wartime Footing, CEO Says
• Neutral Sentiment: Northrop Grumman maintained its quarterly dividend at $2.47 per share, payable September 16 to shareholders of record August 31. The steady payout supports income-focused investors, but the absence of a new increase provides little incremental catalyst. NOC Steady at $2.47: A Closer Look at Northrop Grumman Corporation’s Dividend Discipline
• Neutral Sentiment: A $1.55 billion U.S. rare-earth initiative could benefit defense contractors by strengthening strategic-material supply chains, but the direct financial effect on Northrop Grumman remains unclear. Why Trump’s $1.55 billion rare earth move matters for Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman Trading Up 1.5%

Shares of NYSE:NOC opened at $550.61 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $78.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.49, a PEG ratio of 3.51 and a beta of -0.11. Northrop Grumman Corporation has a 12 month low of $479.02 and a 12 month high of $774.00. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $541.40 and its 200 day simple moving average is $606.36. The company has a quick ratio of 1.06, a current ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81.

Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, July 21st. The aerospace company reported $7.68 earnings per share 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 net margin of 10.48% and a return on equity of 24.25%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $8.15 EPS. Northrop Grumman has set its FY 2026 guidance at 28.600-29.100 EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that Northrop Grumman Corporation will post 28.97 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Northrop Grumman Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 31st will be given a dividend of $2.47 per share. This represents a $9.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 31st. Northrop Grumman’s dividend payout ratio is currently 31.39%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages recently commented on NOC. Weiss Ratings cut Northrop Grumman from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 12th. Citigroup increased their target price on Northrop Grumman from $617.00 to $667.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 13th. Susquehanna decreased their target price on Northrop Grumman from $785.00 to $655.00 and set a “positive” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Morgan Stanley set a $745.00 price target on Northrop Grumman in a research note on Wednesday, July 15th. Finally, TD Cowen increased their price target on shares of Northrop Grumman from $550.00 to $590.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 19th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $661.30.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Mark A. Welsh III sold 95 shares of Northrop Grumman stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $547.53, for a total value of $52,015.35. Following the sale, the director owned 4,393 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,405,299.29. This trade represents a 2.12% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders own 0.21% of the company’s stock.

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.