February 08, 2026 a 09:00 am
NOC: Analysts Ratings - Northrop Grumman Corporation
Northrop Grumman Corporation, a key player in the aerospace and defense sector, has shown consistent performance. The latest analyst ratings reflect a balanced view with a notable tilt towards caution. While there are significant holds, the absence of sell recommendations suggests an underlying confidence in long-term stability.
Historical Stock Grades
The latest data as of February 2026 indicates a moderate sentiment with a leaning towards holding the stock. Compared to previous months, there's been an increase in Hold ratings, signifying a shift towards a more cautious stance.
| Recommendation | Count | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Strong Buy | 3 | |
| Buy | 8 | |
| Hold | 12 | |
| Sell | 0 | |
| Strong Sell | 0 |
Sentiment Development
Over recent months, a distinct trend towards Hold ratings has emerged, with Strong Buy recommendations decreasing slightly. Specifically:
- The number of Strong Buy ratings has decreased from 5 to 3 over a year.
- Hold ratings have gradually increased, reflecting a cautious view among analysts.
- The Buy ratings have slightly declined by 2 since mid-2024.
Percentage Trends
A shift in sentiment indicates a reallocation from Strong Buy and Buy ratings towards more conservative Hold recommendations:
- Strong Buy recommendations fell from approximately 19% (2024-08) to 9% (2026-02).
- Hold ratings climbed from 30% to 51% in the same period.
- Notably, Sell ratings have been eliminated, showing increased confidence in avoiding downturns.
Over the past year, there's been a marked reduction in bullish outlooks, overshadowed by a movement towards neutral expectations.
Latest Analyst Recommendations
Recent analyst activity suggests a maintenance of positions, highlighting stability with no aggressive shifts:
| Date | New Recommendation | Last Recommendation | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-02 | Hold | Hold | Jefferies |
| 2026-01-28 | Outperform | Outperform | RBC Capital |
| 2026-01-28 | Buy | Buy | Citigroup |
| 2026-01-28 | Buy | Buy | BTIG |
| 2026-01-28 | Buy | Buy | B of A Securities |
Analyst Recommendations with Change of Opinion
The analysis of changes in opinion reveals some strategic shifts among analysts, reflecting nuanced perceptions of the stock:
| Date | New Recommendation | Last Recommendation | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-09 | Hold | Buy | Truist Securities |
| 2025-12-15 | Overweight | Neutral | Alembic Global |
| 2025-10-08 | Buy | Hold | Deutsche Bank |
| 2025-07-08 | Hold | Buy | Deutsche Bank |
| 2025-04-11 | Neutral | Sell | Goldman Sachs |
Interpretation
The prevalent Hold ratings imply a market perception of cautious optimism towards Northrop Grumman Corporation's stock. Analysts are seemingly hedging, reflective of both geopolitical stability and market performance concerns. The absence of pronounced Sell ratings suggests no imminent negative outlook. Overall, the analyst sentiment remains notably stable, with minor fluctuations indicating more potential for reassessment rather than conviction shifts.
Conclusion
Northrop Grumman's solid footing in the defense and aerospace sector positions it well amid global uncertainties. Analysts suggest prudence as the stock hovers in a largely stable zone. While opportunities exist in the company's innovation and government contracts, investor sentiment errs on the side of caution. This neutrality is a double-edged sword, presenting as both potential security and lost opportunity. Therefore, stakeholders should monitor strategic developments and geopolitical trends closely to navigate future market dynamics.