NetScout Systems (NASDAQ:NTCT) Trading Down 2.3% – Should You Sell?

NetScout Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:NTCT) dropped 2.3% during trading on Friday . The company traded as low as $21.31 and last traded at $21.24. Approximately 20,702 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 96% from the average daily volume of 501,526 shares. The stock had previously closed at $21.74.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on NTCT. Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on shares of NetScout Systems from $22.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a report on Friday, January 31st. StockNews.com raised NetScout Systems from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 10th.

NetScout Systems Stock Performance

The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $22.71 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $21.91. The company has a quick ratio of 1.78, a current ratio of 1.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.52 billion, a PE ratio of -3.60 and a beta of 0.64.

NetScout Systems (NASDAQ:NTCT) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The technology company reported $0.78 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.74 by $0.04. NetScout Systems had a negative net margin of 50.90% and a positive return on equity of 6.76%. As a group, research analysts predict that NetScout Systems, Inc. will post 1.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at NetScout Systems

In related news, COO Michael Szabados sold 6,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $23.47, for a total transaction of $152,555.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 35,989 shares in the company, valued at approximately $844,661.83. This trade represents a 15.30 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP John Downing sold 3,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $24.25, for a total transaction of $72,750.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 130,352 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,161,036. This represents a 2.25 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 21,499 shares of company stock valued at $512,321. Company insiders own 3.71% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On NetScout Systems

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Russell Investments Group Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of NetScout Systems by 1,214.4% during the fourth quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 1,367 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 1,263 shares in the last quarter. Quarry LP raised its stake in shares of NetScout Systems by 316.8% during the 3rd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 1,513 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 1,150 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC lifted its holdings in shares of NetScout Systems by 32.1% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 1,964 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $43,000 after buying an additional 477 shares during the last quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of NetScout Systems by 811.9% in the 4th quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 2,216 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $48,000 after buying an additional 1,973 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. acquired a new position in NetScout Systems in the fourth quarter worth approximately $71,000. 91.64% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

NetScout Systems Company Profile

NetScout Systems, Inc provides service assurance and cybersecurity solutions for protect digital business services against disruptions in the United States, Europe, Asia, and internationally. The company offers nGeniusONE management software that enables customers to predict, preempt, and resolve network and service delivery problems, as well as facilitate the optimization and capacity planning of their network infrastructures; and specialized platforms and analytic modules that enable its customers to analyze and troubleshoot traffic in radio access and Wi-Fi networks.