Valicenti Advisory Services Inc. Grows Stock Holdings in Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC)

Valicenti Advisory Services Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC) by 5.0% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 9,808 shares of the aerospace company’s stock after purchasing an additional 471 shares during the quarter. Northrop Grumman comprises 1.1% of Valicenti Advisory Services Inc.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 28th biggest position. Valicenti Advisory Services Inc.’s holdings in Northrop Grumman were worth $4,603,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. RPg Family Wealth Advisory LLC acquired a new position in Northrop Grumman in the 3rd quarter valued at about $31,000. FSA Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Northrop Grumman in the third quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Albion Financial Group UT purchased a new position in Northrop Grumman in the fourth quarter worth approximately $33,000. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Northrop Grumman during the third quarter worth $40,000. Finally, Modus Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Northrop Grumman in the fourth quarter valued at $38,000. 83.40% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Northrop Grumman Stock Performance

Shares of NOC opened at $487.83 on Wednesday. Northrop Grumman Co. has a 1 year low of $418.60 and a 1 year high of $555.57. The stock has a market capitalization of $71.08 billion, a PE ratio of 30.15, a PEG ratio of 0.95 and a beta of 0.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.00, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a current ratio of 1.09. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $478.87 and a 200-day simple moving average of $497.74.

Northrop Grumman Dividend Announcement

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

Northrop Grumman announced that its board has authorized a stock repurchase program on Wednesday, December 11th that allows the company to buyback $3.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the aerospace company to reacquire up to 4.3% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are usually an indication that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

NOC has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded Northrop Grumman from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and set a $595.00 price target for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Northrop Grumman from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Sunday, January 19th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on shares of Northrop Grumman from $500.00 to $540.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a report on Friday, October 25th. Citigroup upgraded shares of Northrop Grumman from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $587.00 target price for the company in a report on Tuesday, January 21st. Finally, Susquehanna decreased their price target on Northrop Grumman from $625.00 to $557.00 and set a “positive” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $550.94.

Insider Buying and Selling at Northrop Grumman

In other news, VP Benjamin R. Davies sold 1,156 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $532.93, for a total transaction of $616,067.08. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 537 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $286,183.41. This represents a 68.28 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In the last three months, insiders have sold 1,255 shares of company stock valued at $663,859. Insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

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.