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Northrop Grumman (NOC)
NYSE:NOC
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Northrop Grumman (NOC) AI Stock Analysis

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NOC

Northrop Grumman

(NYSE:NOC)

Rating:71Outperform
Price Target:
$627.00
▲(7.95% Upside)
Northrop Grumman's overall score reflects strong earnings call results and solid financial performance, tempered by technical analysis suggesting caution due to overbought conditions. The company’s valuation is reasonable but requires sustained growth to justify the current P/E ratio.
Positive Factors
Financial Performance
Q2's sales/EPS beats mark a strong rebound from Q1's slow start.
International Sales
International sales drove growth in 2Q, up 18% and continuing to benefit from foreign defense spending and increased availability of program exports.
Program Development
Marquee programs including B-21 and Sentinel continue to develop favorably, while NOC remains confident it can compete on emerging opportunities including space, unmanned systems, and international demand.
Negative Factors
Program Competition
Softer Space Systems 2025 outlook is due to Northrop Grumman's loss on the Evolved Strategic Satellite Communications program to Boeing.

Northrop Grumman (NOC) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Northrop Grumman Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionNorthrop Grumman Corporation (NOC) is a global aerospace and defense technology company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia. The company operates in four primary sectors: Aerospace Systems, Defense Systems, Mission Systems, and Space Systems. Northrop Grumman is known for its advanced technologies and systems, including unmanned systems, cyber solutions, C4ISR (command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) systems, and missile defense systems. The company serves a diverse range of clients, including the U.S. Department of Defense, international governments, and commercial customers, providing critical solutions for national security and space exploration.
How the Company Makes MoneyNorthrop Grumman generates revenue primarily through government contracts, which make up a significant portion of its earnings. The company is a major contractor for the U.S. Department of Defense, providing high-tech systems and services that are essential for military operations. Key revenue streams include the development and production of military aircraft, unmanned systems, missile systems, and cybersecurity solutions. Additionally, Northrop Grumman engages in various partnerships and collaborations with other defense contractors and technology firms, which further enhance its capabilities and market reach. The company's revenue is bolstered by long-term contracts and sustainment services, which provide reliable income over extended periods. Furthermore, Northrop Grumman's involvement in space exploration, including contracts with NASA and other commercial partnerships, contributes to its financial performance as the demand for space-based technologies and services continues to grow.

Northrop Grumman Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Revenue by Segment
Revenue by Segment
Breaks down sales across various divisions, showcasing which areas are growing and contributing most to the company's top line, indicating strategic strengths or weaknesses.
Chart InsightsNorthrop Grumman's Space Systems revenue, after years of growth, has sharply declined since late 2023, likely due to the B-21 program's cost issues and contracting delays. Meanwhile, Defense Systems revenue surged in late 2024, possibly benefiting from new contracts like the IBCS award. Despite a 7% drop in Q1 2025 sales, the company maintains confidence in achieving its full-year sales target, driven by strong international sales and a record backlog. Investors should watch for resolution of B-21 challenges and the impact of international growth on overall performance.
Data provided by:Main Street Data

Northrop Grumman Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jul 17, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: 11.76%|
Next Earnings Date:Oct 23, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call portrayed a strong overall performance with significant revenue growth, improved margins, and positive guidance adjustments. The company's international expansion and defense investments were notable positives. However, the Space segment faced challenges, and tax reform impacted the financial outlook. Despite these issues, the highlights significantly outweighed the lowlights.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Revenue Growth
Revenue increased by 9% compared to the first quarter, with higher sequential sales in all four segments. International sales grew by 18% year-over-year and 14% year-to-date.
Improved Segment Operating Margin
The team delivered an 11.8% segment operating margin, demonstrating outstanding operating performance.
Increased Guidance
Based on strong Q2 results, the company increased guidance for segment operating income, earnings per share, and free cash flow.
Significant Defense Investments
The US and allies are making significant investments in defense capabilities, with a 22% increase in procurement and RDT&E over fiscal year 2025.
International Expansion
Strong international book to bill for aircraft, weapons, missile defense, and airborne systems. Opportunities in Europe and the Middle East noted.
Beacon Initiative
Introduction of Beacon, a flying mission testbed to accelerate autonomous mission capabilities in partnership with various industry players.
Solid Rocket Motor Expansion
Investments to increase solid rocket motor production rate from 13,000 units today to 25,000 by 2029.
Shareholder Returns
Commitment to returning approximately 100% of free cash flow to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. Announced a 12% increase in quarterly dividend.
Positive Earnings Adjustment for Sentinel
Significant progress on the Sentinel program with a positive earnings adjustment reflecting improved confidence.
Negative Updates
Space Segment Decline
Q2 sales were lower in the Space segment due to the previously communicated wind-down of work on two programs, resulting in $283 million of year-over-year headwinds.
Impact of Tax Reform
The reconciliation bill modified the treatment of certain R&D tax credits, increasing the estimated tax rate and offsetting operational performance gains.
Company Guidance
During Northrop Grumman's second quarter 2025 conference call, the company reported a 9% increase in revenue compared to the first quarter, driven by strong backlog and higher sales across all four segments. The segment operating margin was reported at 11.8%, with an increase in guidance for segment operating income, earnings per share, and free cash flow. International sales grew by 18% year-over-year, with strong opportunities in Europe and the Middle East. The company highlighted significant progress on the Sentinel program, with a positive earnings adjustment reflecting agreements with customers and improved performance incentives. The B-21 program received an additional $4.5 billion to increase production capacity, with discussions ongoing for an accelerated production ramp. Northrop Grumman also emphasized strategic investments in areas like solid rocket motors and autonomous systems, projecting solid rocket motor production to increase from 13,000 units to 25,000 by 2029. The company aims to return approximately 100% of free cash flow to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases, having repurchased nearly $900 million in stock in the first half of the year.

Northrop Grumman Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Northrop Grumman demonstrates strong profitability with healthy margins and efficient asset management typical for the industry. However, the recent decline in revenue growth and a significant drop in free cash flow generation are concerns. The balance sheet shows moderate leverage, indicating some exposure to interest rate increases.
Income Statement
75
Positive
The TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) gross profit margin is approximately 19.33%, indicating a solid level of efficiency in managing production costs relative to revenue. The net profit margin stands at 9.74%, reflecting healthy profitability, although it has slightly decreased from the previous year. Revenue growth is slightly negative at -1.29% compared to the previous year, suggesting a minor contraction. The EBIT margin is 9.82%, while the EBITDA margin is 16.86%, both demonstrating stable operational profitability.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The debt-to-equity ratio is 1.13, showing a moderate level of leverage, which is typical for the industry but suggests potential exposure to interest rate increases. The return on equity (ROE) is robust at 25.50%, highlighting strong profitability for shareholders. The equity ratio is 31.28%, indicating a balanced capital structure and a solid asset management strategy.
Cash Flow
65
Positive
The free cash flow has declined by 50.10% compared to the previous year, pointing to challenges in cash generation. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is 0.75, which is lower than desired, suggesting that earnings are not fully translating to cash flow. The free cash flow to net income ratio is 0.33, indicating limited cash flow relative to reported profits.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue40.50B41.03B39.29B36.60B35.67B36.80B
Gross Profit7.83B8.36B6.55B7.47B7.27B7.48B
EBITDA6.83B6.84B4.23B7.68B8.73B5.59B
Net Income3.94B4.17B2.06B4.90B7.00B3.19B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets49.45B49.36B46.54B43.76B42.58B44.47B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments1.90B4.35B3.11B2.58B3.53B4.91B
Total Debt17.52B18.40B16.05B15.00B14.66B16.61B
Total Liabilities33.98B34.07B31.75B28.44B29.65B33.89B
Stockholders Equity15.47B15.29B14.79B15.31B12.93B10.58B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow1.31B2.62B2.10B1.47B2.15B2.88B
Operating Cash Flow2.97B4.39B3.88B2.90B3.57B4.30B
Investing Cash Flow-1.35B-1.75B-1.58B-1.24B2.06B-1.21B
Financing Cash Flow-3.00B-1.40B-1.76B-2.61B-7.00B-432.00M

Northrop Grumman Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price580.80
Price Trends
50DMA
525.87
Positive
100DMA
508.05
Positive
200DMA
493.14
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
18.48
Positive
RSI
70.96
Negative
STOCH
46.45
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For NOC, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 580.8 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 566.23, above the 50-day MA of 525.87, and above the 200-day MA of 493.14, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 18.48 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 70.96 is Negative, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 46.45 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for NOC.

Northrop Grumman Risk Analysis

Northrop Grumman disclosed 21 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Northrop Grumman reported the most risks in the "Production" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Northrop Grumman Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (59)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
78
Outperform
$10.46B19.9711.59%2.01%-1.75%-29.19%
77
Outperform
$50.58B30.188.90%1.75%2.93%43.29%
76
Outperform
$84.71B21.1517.91%1.85%11.85%16.12%
71
Outperform
$83.08B21.3426.50%1.46%-0.65%77.20%
64
Neutral
$99.37B23.9673.06%3.02%1.09%-35.50%
59
Neutral
AU$1.63B10.85-5.90%3.59%9.81%6.78%
56
Neutral
$170.86B-162.23%2.41%-193.57%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
NOC
Northrop Grumman
580.24
86.53
17.53%
BA
Boeing
232.61
63.85
37.83%
GD
General Dynamics
314.01
27.81
9.72%
LHX
L3Harris Technologies
270.21
46.87
20.99%
HII
Huntington Ingalls
268.00
11.78
4.60%
LMT
Lockheed Martin
431.56
-113.48
-20.82%

Northrop Grumman Corporate Events

Private Placements and FinancingBusiness Operations and Strategy
Northrop Grumman Issues $1 Billion in Senior Notes
Neutral
May 29, 2025

On May 29, 2025, Northrop Grumman Corporation issued $1 billion in senior notes, with $500 million due in 2030 and another $500 million due in 2035. The issuance, underwritten by major financial institutions, is part of the company’s strategic financial management, potentially impacting its operational flexibility and market positioning.

The most recent analyst rating on (NOC) stock is a Buy with a $587.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Northrop Grumman stock, see the NOC Stock Forecast page.

Private Placements and Financing
Northrop Grumman Announces $1 Billion Notes Offering
Neutral
May 28, 2025

On May 27, 2025, Northrop Grumman announced the pricing of a $1.0 billion underwritten public offering of senior unsecured notes, consisting of $500 million of 4.650% notes due 2030 and $500 million of 5.250% notes due 2035. The proceeds are intended for general corporate purposes, including debt repayment, share repurchases, and working capital, with the offering expected to close on May 29, 2025, subject to customary conditions.

The most recent analyst rating on (NOC) stock is a Buy with a $587.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Northrop Grumman stock, see the NOC Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
Northrop Grumman Shareholders Approve Key Proposals at Meeting
Neutral
May 23, 2025

At Northrop Grumman‘s 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on May 21, 2025, shareholders approved the election of twelve directors, the compensation of named executive officers, and the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the independent auditor for 2025. However, a shareholder proposal to enhance the clawback policy on unearned executive pay was not approved. The Board of Directors will consider shareholder input and feedback from the meeting.

The most recent analyst rating on (NOC) stock is a Buy with a $587.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Northrop Grumman stock, see the NOC Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Jul 25, 2025