Live Report · Updated January 26, 2026

Lockheed Martin vs Northrop Grumman

This page provides a comprehensive comparison of Lockheed Martin Corporation and Northrop Grumman Corporation. We examine their respective business models, analyse their financial performance, and explore the broader market context in which they operate. This analysis aims to offer insights into these prominent aerospace and defence companies for educational purposes. Educational content, not financial advice.

Comparison Snapshot

Key Financial Metrics

LMT

Metric

NOC

$134.59B

Market Cap

$94.33B

-12.09%

Potential Profit

-2.00%

Hold

Analyst Rating

Buy

Why It's Moving

Lockheed Martin surges on test triumphs and soaring defense budget buzz.

Breakthrough 90-degree JAGM Quad Launcher demo on Jan 15 showcases vertical launch and counter-UAS prowess, expanding missile versatility for modern threats.
First flight test of Next-Generation Short-Range Interceptor (NGSRI) on Jan 13 positions Lockheed to meet urgent U.S. Army air defense needs.
Analyst upgrades and Secretary of War's F-35 plant visit fuel optimism, tied to PAC-3 wins, F-35 ramp-up, and massive FY2027 budget tailwinds.

Sentiment:

🐃Bullish

Northrop Grumman gears up for pivotal earnings as analysts hike targets amid booming defense backlog.

UBS boosted its price target to $777 on January 15, underscoring confidence in NOC's leadership in high-margin Mission Systems.
Annual sales topped $41 billion with 2026 EPS outlook nearing $27.50, driven by 5% organic growth and B-21 production ramps.
Record backlog offers two years of revenue visibility, bolstering resilience amid global defense spending surges.

Sentiment:

🐃Bullish

Lockheed Martin surges on test triumphs and soaring defense budget buzz.

Breakthrough 90-degree JAGM Quad Launcher demo on Jan 15 showcases vertical launch and counter-UAS prowess, expanding missile versatility for modern threats.
First flight test of Next-Generation Short-Range Interceptor (NGSRI) on Jan 13 positions Lockheed to meet urgent U.S. Army air defense needs.
Analyst upgrades and Secretary of War's F-35 plant visit fuel optimism, tied to PAC-3 wins, F-35 ramp-up, and massive FY2027 budget tailwinds.

Sentiment:

🐃Bullish

Northrop Grumman gears up for pivotal earnings as analysts hike targets amid booming defense backlog.

UBS boosted its price target to $777 on January 15, underscoring confidence in NOC's leadership in high-margin Mission Systems.
Annual sales topped $41 billion with 2026 EPS outlook nearing $27.50, driven by 5% organic growth and B-21 production ramps.
Record backlog offers two years of revenue visibility, bolstering resilience amid global defense spending surges.

Sentiment:

🐃Bullish

Investment Analysis

Lockheed Martin

LMT

Pros

Lockheed Martin delivers higher dividend yield of 3.10% over trailing twelve months compared to peers.
Achieves stronger year-to-date return of 12.25% versus Northrop Grumman's 8.52%.
Benefits from potential US defence budget increases under current administration.

Considerations

Higher stock volatility at 12.23% indicates greater price fluctuation risk.
Recent technical indicators including MACD and RSI signal sell conditions.
Lags 12-month return performance behind Northrop Grumman's 31-32% growth.

Northrop Grumman

NOC

Pros

Outperforms Lockheed Martin with 31-32% return over past 12 months.
Exhibits lower volatility of 9.33% suggesting reduced price fluctuation risk.
Established position in aerospace and defence technology supports stable operations.

Considerations

Lower dividend yield of 1.49% trails Lockheed Martin's 3.10% offering.
Technical indicators like MACD and RSI currently show sell signals.
Weaker year-to-date return of 8.52% compared to Lockheed Martin's 12.25%.

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