Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC – Get Free Report) was upgraded by investment analysts at Wells Fargo & Company to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note issued on Tuesday,Zacks.com reports.
Other analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. Vertical Research reaffirmed a “hold” rating and set a $688.00 target price on shares of Northrop Grumman in a report on Tuesday, January 27th. UBS Group raised their price target on shares of Northrop Grumman from $777.00 to $778.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price target on shares of Northrop Grumman from $630.00 to $690.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Sunday, February 1st. TD Cowen reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reissued an “overweight” rating and set a $765.00 price objective on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have assigned a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Northrop Grumman currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $707.35.
Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman Stock Performance
Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC – Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The aerospace company reported $7.23 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $6.97 by $0.26. Northrop Grumman had a return on equity of 25.57% and a net margin of 9.97%.The business had revenue of $11.71 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.61 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $6.39 EPS. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 9.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Northrop Grumman has set its FY 2026 guidance at 27.400-27.900 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Northrop Grumman will post 28.05 EPS for the current fiscal year.
Insider Activity at Northrop Grumman
In other Northrop Grumman news, VP Benjamin R. Davies sold 2,189 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $719.61, for a total transaction of $1,575,226.29. Following the sale, the vice president owned 151 shares in the company, valued at $108,661.11. This trade represents a 93.55% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CAO Michael A. Hardesty sold 147 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $732.98, for a total value of $107,748.06. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 2,525 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,850,774.50. The trade was a 5.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 32,431 shares of company stock valued at $21,969,404. 0.23% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.
Institutional Inflows and Outflows
Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Northrop Grumman by 1.5% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 13,740,721 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $7,835,097,000 after purchasing an additional 209,135 shares in the last quarter. Capital World Investors raised its position in Northrop Grumman by 39.4% in the 4th quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 3,434,041 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $1,958,151,000 after purchasing an additional 970,029 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Northrop Grumman by 0.6% in the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 3,149,478 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $1,793,478,000 after purchasing an additional 17,948 shares during the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its position in Northrop Grumman by 4.3% during the fourth quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 3,125,139 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $1,781,986,000 after buying an additional 128,855 shares during the period. Finally, Invesco Ltd. boosted its position in Northrop Grumman by 3.9% during the fourth quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,666,517 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $950,265,000 after buying an additional 62,817 shares during the period. 83.40% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
Trending Headlines about Northrop Grumman
Here are the key news stories impacting Northrop Grumman this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Wells Fargo initiated coverage with an “Overweight” rating and an $800 price target, signaling institutional support and a notable upside from recent levels. Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) Now Covered by Analysts at Wells Fargo & Company
- Positive Sentiment: Northrop showcased autonomous capabilities in an Army exercise (Lumberjack unmanned aircraft system / autonomy demo), highlighting revenue?relevant tech that can drive future contracts and justify a premium valuation. Northrop Grumman demonstrates autonomous drone during Army exercise
- Positive Sentiment: Company secured/extended electronic warfare (SEWIP Block 3) work for the U.S. Navy (including first carrier shipset), reinforcing defense backlog and near?term revenue visibility. Northrop Grumman’s Autonomy And EW Wins Test Justified Premium Valuation
- Positive Sentiment: NASA’s Artemis II spotlight is boosting investor attention on space suppliers; Northrop is named among contractors likely to benefit from renewed lunar program activity and related spending. GE, Boeing, and 3 More Aerospace and Defense Stocks to Buy
- Neutral Sentiment: Sector news: Rocket Lab’s strong backlog and launch cadence highlight growing demand in space infrastructure, but execution risks there are unlikely to directly move Northrop shares — it’s a broader sector read. Rocket Lab’s Backlog Provides a Clear Path to 2026 Revenue Growth
- Neutral Sentiment: Market commentary notes NOC shares rose but still underperformed the broader market recently — a reminder that positive program news can be offset by macro/sector dynamics. Northrop Grumman Corp. stock rises Tuesday, still underperforms market
- Negative Sentiment: Political risk: commentary that the U.S. might pull back from NATO or shift alliance dynamics is being flagged as a potential headwind for major defense contractors, adding policy uncertainty to the sector. Trump Toys With NATO Exit: Defense Stocks In The Crosshairs
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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