Howmet Aerospace Inc vs Northrop Grumman Corporation — how do they compare? Howmet Aerospace Inc trades at $278.8 (market cap $108.82B), while Northrop Grumman Corporation trades at $511.21 (market cap $74.42B). The key difference: Howmet Aerospace Inc is the larger of the two by market cap, and Northrop Grumman Corporation pays the higher dividend (1.79%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| HWM | NOC | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $108.82B | $74.42B |
Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
52-Week High | $283.23 | $768.02 |
52-Week Low | $171.00 | $496.02 |
Enterprise Value | $111.07B | $88.65B |
Dividend Yield | 0.18% | 1.79% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Howmet Aerospace (HWM) trades at $271.98, down 0.17% on the day, with a neutral technical signal and bullish moving averages. The company reported strong earnings beats in recent quarters, with Q1 2026 EPS of $1.22 exceeding the $1.11 estimate. Financials show robust profitability, including a 20.22% net income margin and 33.98% ROE, though valuation ratios like a P/E of 63.21 appear elevated. Recent news highlights commercial aerospace demand driving growth, with shares gaining 249% since May 2024 according to FXEmpire on July 15, 2026.
The outlook remains positive due to sustained aerospace demand and analyst consensus favoring buys, but risks include high valuation sensitivity and market volatility. Upside to the $317.63 price target offers potential, yet investors should weigh premium multiples against earnings growth momentum and sector cyclicality.
Northrop Grumman (NOC) trades at $524.14, up 0.49% with a bearish technical signal despite strong fundamentals. The company shows consistent earnings beats, with Q1 2026 EPS of $6.14 exceeding expectations of $6.06. Recent news highlights defense budget optimism and a $312.3M Navy contract for electronic warfare systems. Technical indicators show RSI at oversold levels near support at $518, while moving averages signal bearish momentum.
The investment outlook remains positive with analyst consensus at Buy (57% of 35 analysts) and a $655 price target representing 25% upside. Risks include execution challenges in defense programs and potential margin pressure. Strong cash flow generation and a $96B backlog support long-term growth, though near-term technical weakness may present entry opportunities for patient investors.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Howmet Aerospace provides advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. It specializes in jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems, and forged aluminum wheels.
Read more on HWM →Northrop Grumman is a defense contractor that is diversified across short-cycle and long-cycle businesses. The firm's segments include aeronautics, mission systems, defense services, and space systems. The company's aerospace segment creates the fuselage for the massive F-35 program and produces various piloted and autonomous flight systems. Mission systems creates a variety of sensors and processors for defense hardware. The defense systems segment is a long-range missile manufacturer. Finally, the company's space systems segment produces various space structures, sensors, and satellites.
Read more on NOC →