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Falls Church, Virginia-based Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC) operates as an aerospace and defense technology company in the United States and internationally. The company has a market cap of $81 billion and operates through Aeronautics Systems, Defense Systems, Mission Systems, and Space Systems segments.
NOC stock has lagged behind the broader market over the past year, rising marginally compared to the S&P 500 Index’s ($SPX) 20.1% surge. Moreover, in 2026, the stock has risen by nearly 3.1%, underperforming the SPX’s 13.1% rise.
Focusing on its industry benchmark, the State Street Industrials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLI) has risen 22.3% over the past year, outperforming the stock. In 2026, XLI has grown 19.1% and has also outpaced the stock.
On July 21, NOC stock declined 2.2% despite seemingly better-than-expected Q2 2026 earnings. The company’s revenue for the period amounted to $10.9 billion, surpassing the Street’s estimates. Moreover, its adjusted EPS came in at $7.68, also topping Wall Street’s forecasts. However, investors mainly focused on the company’s underlying profitability issues, showcased by an operating margin contraction as well as a lowered full-year outlook.
For the current year, which ends in December, analysts expect NOC’s EPS to increase 10% to $28.97 on a diluted basis. The company met or surpassed the consensus estimate in each of the last four quarters.
Among the 22 analysts covering NOC stock, the consensus is a “Moderate Buy.” That’s based on 12 “Strong Buy” ratings, one “Moderate Buy,” and nine “Holds.”
The configuration has remained more or less unchanged over the past three months.
On Aug. 14, Citi analyst John Godyn maintained a “Buy” rating for NOC and set a price target of $667.
NOC’s mean price target of $657.95 offers a 11.4% upside compared to the current market price. Its Street-high target of $849 implies a 43.7% upside from current levels.
