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Northrop Grumman (NOC) Divests BluVector to LLR Partners
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Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC - Free Report) announced the divestiture of its automated threat detection and cyber hunting technology business unit, BluVector, to Philadelphia-based private equity firm LLR Partners. Terms of the deal have been kept under wraps.
LLR Partners has committed $50 million to BluVector in financing to support the deal and for growing the business. BluVector will operate as a standalone business entity.
A Brief Note on BluVector
BluVector utilizes machine learning to provide network-based Advanced Threat Detection and reduce response time from months to minutes. Only BluVector uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to look across the entirety of network data to find linkages, analyze relationships and develop targeted threat profiles in real time so that security staff can zero in on meaningful threats before the damage is done.
As the volume and complexity of advanced threats grow, threat hunting solutions like BluVector equip security professionals with the intelligence tools that they need to identify, understand and remediate increasingly advanced threats.
WhyNorthrop Grumman?
Northrop Grumman is the fourth-largest U.S. defense contractor in terms of 2015 revenue, with a major platform-centric focus. The company has a strong presence in the U.S. Air Force, and Space & Cyber Security programs. The company’s product line is well positioned in the high-priority categories, such as defense electronics, unmanned aircraft and missile defense.
Northrop Grumman’s strong balance sheet and steady cash flow position offers it substantial financial flexibility and a cushion for incremental dividends, ongoing share repurchases and earnings accretive acquisitions.
Price Movement
Shares of Northrop Grumman have gained 25.4%, outperforming the Zacks categorized Aerospace-Defense industry’s gain of 19.7% over the past 12 months.
This could be because Northrop Grumman restructured its business to focus on space and airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, which helped the company reap significant benefits. Moreover, the company continues to witness a steady flow of contracts from the Pentagon and other international customers. On an average, the company has delivered a positive earnings surprise of 8.29% in the trailing four quarters.
Zacks Rank & Key Picks
Northrop Grumman currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Other favorably placed stocks in this space include Engility Holdings, Inc. , Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT - Free Report) and General Dynamics Corporation (GD - Free Report) .
On an average, Engility has delivered a positive earnings surprise of 23.19% in the trailing four quarters. Engility sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Lockheed Martin flaunts a Zacks Rank #1 as well. On an average, the company has delivered a positive earnings surprise of 11.36% in the trailing four quarters.
General Dynamics, a Zacks Rank #2 stock, has delivered a positive earnings surprise of 5.55% in the trailing four quarters.
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Northrop Grumman (NOC) Divests BluVector to LLR Partners
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC - Free Report) announced the divestiture of its automated threat detection and cyber hunting technology business unit, BluVector, to Philadelphia-based private equity firm LLR Partners. Terms of the deal have been kept under wraps.
LLR Partners has committed $50 million to BluVector in financing to support the deal and for growing the business. BluVector will operate as a standalone business entity.
A Brief Note on BluVector
BluVector utilizes machine learning to provide network-based Advanced Threat Detection and reduce response time from months to minutes. Only BluVector uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to look across the entirety of network data to find linkages, analyze relationships and develop targeted threat profiles in real time so that security staff can zero in on meaningful threats before the damage is done.
As the volume and complexity of advanced threats grow, threat hunting solutions like BluVector equip security professionals with the intelligence tools that they need to identify, understand and remediate increasingly advanced threats.
Why Northrop Grumman?
Northrop Grumman is the fourth-largest U.S. defense contractor in terms of 2015 revenue, with a major platform-centric focus. The company has a strong presence in the U.S. Air Force, and Space & Cyber Security programs. The company’s product line is well positioned in the high-priority categories, such as defense electronics, unmanned aircraft and missile defense.
Northrop Grumman’s strong balance sheet and steady cash flow position offers it substantial financial flexibility and a cushion for incremental dividends, ongoing share repurchases and earnings accretive acquisitions.
Price Movement
Shares of Northrop Grumman have gained 25.4%, outperforming the Zacks categorized Aerospace-Defense industry’s gain of 19.7% over the past 12 months.
This could be because Northrop Grumman restructured its business to focus on space and airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, which helped the company reap significant benefits. Moreover, the company continues to witness a steady flow of contracts from the Pentagon and other international customers. On an average, the company has delivered a positive earnings surprise of 8.29% in the trailing four quarters.
Zacks Rank & Key Picks
Northrop Grumman currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Other favorably placed stocks in this space include Engility Holdings, Inc. , Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT - Free Report) and General Dynamics Corporation (GD - Free Report) .
On an average, Engility has delivered a positive earnings surprise of 23.19% in the trailing four quarters. Engility sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Lockheed Martin flaunts a Zacks Rank #1 as well. On an average, the company has delivered a positive earnings surprise of 11.36% in the trailing four quarters.
General Dynamics, a Zacks Rank #2 stock, has delivered a positive earnings surprise of 5.55% in the trailing four quarters.
Zacks' Top 10 Stocks for 2017
In addition to the stocks discussed above, would you like to know about our 10 finest tickers for the entirety of 2017?
Who wouldn't? These 10 are painstakingly hand-picked from 4,400 companies covered by the Zacks Rank. They are our primary picks to buy and hold. Be among the very first to see them >>