Zacks Research Issues Pessimistic Outlook for NOC Earnings

Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC) – Stock analysts at Zacks Research decreased their Q2 2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Northrop Grumman in a note issued to investors on Tuesday, May 13th. Zacks Research analyst A. Dutta now forecasts that the aerospace company will earn $6.70 per share for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of $7.07. The consensus estimate for Northrop Grumman’s current full-year earnings is $28.05 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Northrop Grumman’s FY2025 earnings at $25.12 EPS, Q1 2026 earnings at $5.40 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $4.84 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $11.11 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $6.05 EPS and Q1 2027 earnings at $1.91 EPS.

Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 22nd. The aerospace company reported $6.06 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $6.33 by ($0.27). Northrop Grumman had a net margin of 10.17% and a return on equity of 26.24%. The business had revenue of $9.47 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.07 billion.

Several other research firms have also issued reports on NOC. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on Northrop Grumman from $580.00 to $625.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 16th. Argus raised Northrop Grumman to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 26th. Truist Financial decreased their target price on Northrop Grumman from $600.00 to $550.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 23rd. StockNews.com lowered Northrop Grumman from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, April 24th. Finally, UBS Group cut their price target on Northrop Grumman from $583.00 to $571.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $545.31.

Northrop Grumman Price Performance

NOC opened at $472.67 on Friday. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $496.53 and its 200 day moving average price is $485.78. Northrop Grumman has a 12-month low of $418.60 and a 12-month high of $555.57. The company has a current ratio of 1.01, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.96. The firm has a market cap of $68.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.68, a PEG ratio of 3.73 and a beta of 0.15.

Northrop Grumman Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 19th. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd were paid a dividend of $2.06 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $8.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.74%. Northrop Grumman’s dividend payout ratio is presently 32.52%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, VP Benjamin R. Davies sold 464 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $460.75, for a total value of $213,788.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 245 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $112,883.75. This trade represents a 65.44% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Kathy J. Warden sold 3,750 shares of Northrop Grumman stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $475.65, for a total value of $1,783,687.50. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 212,852 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $101,243,053.80. This represents a 1.73% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 4,505 shares of company stock worth $2,127,632 in the last quarter. 0.23% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Northrop Grumman

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of NOC. Brookstone Capital Management raised its holdings in shares of Northrop Grumman by 4.5% in the fourth quarter. Brookstone Capital Management now owns 3,005 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $1,410,000 after acquiring an additional 129 shares during the last quarter. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman in the fourth quarter worth $266,000. Pines Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman in the fourth quarter worth $413,000. Oak Thistle LLC acquired a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman in the fourth quarter worth $358,000. Finally, Park Avenue Securities LLC raised its holdings in shares of Northrop Grumman by 2.6% in the fourth quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC now owns 5,469 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $2,566,000 after acquiring an additional 141 shares during the last quarter. 83.40% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.