Seaport Res Ptn Predicts Lower Earnings for Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC) – Equities research analysts at Seaport Res Ptn decreased their Q1 2025 earnings estimates for Northrop Grumman in a research note issued on Thursday, January 30th. Seaport Res Ptn analyst R. Safran now forecasts that the aerospace company will earn $6.42 per share for the quarter, down from their previous forecast 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.

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

A number of other research analysts have also commented on NOC. TD Cowen raised Northrop Grumman to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 8th. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Northrop Grumman from $550.00 to $500.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Truist Financial started coverage on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research note on Tuesday, January 14th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $544.00 price objective for the company. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on shares of Northrop Grumman from $595.00 to $574.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday. Finally, Susquehanna dropped their price target 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. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $544.31.

Northrop Grumman Price Performance

Shares of NYSE NOC opened at $486.97 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $70.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.91 and a beta of 0.35. The business’s 50 day moving average is $478.20 and its 200-day moving average is $498.35. The company has a current ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.00. Northrop Grumman has a 1-year low of $418.60 and a 1-year high of $555.57.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Northrop Grumman

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. RPg Family Wealth Advisory LLC acquired a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman during the third quarter worth $31,000. Albion Financial Group UT bought a new position in Northrop Grumman during the 4th quarter worth $33,000. FSA Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Northrop Grumman during the 3rd quarter worth about $36,000. Modus Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Northrop Grumman in the 4th quarter valued at about $38,000. Finally, Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Northrop Grumman in the third quarter valued at about $40,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.40% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at Northrop Grumman

In other news, VP Benjamin R. Davies sold 1,156 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, November 11th. The stock was 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 directly owns 537 shares in the company, valued at approximately $286,183.41. This represents a 68.28 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders have sold a total of 1,255 shares of company stock worth $663,859 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

Northrop Grumman Announces Dividend

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

Northrop Grumman declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a share buyback program on Wednesday, December 11th that authorizes the company to buyback $3.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the aerospace company to purchase up to 4.3% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are usually a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

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.