Northrop Grumman Corporation vs Norfolk Southern Corporation — how do they compare? Northrop Grumman Corporation trades at $480.11 (market cap $68.83B), while Norfolk Southern Corporation trades at $317.24 (market cap $71.20B). The key difference: Northrop Grumman Corporation and Norfolk Southern Corporation are close in size by market cap, and Northrop Grumman Corporation pays the higher dividend (2.04%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold Northrop Grumman Corporation for 81 Days and Norfolk Southern Corporation for 33 Days on average.
| NOC | NSC | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $68.83B | $71.20B |
Volume | 1,081,989 | 555,248 |
Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
52-Week High | $768.02 | $352.98 |
52-Week Low | $473.46 | $278.19 |
Typical Hold Time | 81 Days | 33 Days |
Enterprise Value | $82.81B | $86.75B |
Dividend Yield | 2.04% | 1.7% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Northrop Grumman (NOC) trades at $473.46, down 2.0% on the day, reflecting a bearish technical signal amid recent contract loss news. The stock exhibits strong fundamentals with a P/E of 15.05, net income margin of 10.48%, and consistent earnings beats in recent quarters. Revenue growth is steady, supported by a record backlog, though the loss of the $20 billion Navy F/A-XX contract to Boeing introduces competitive pressure.
The outlook remains supported by robust defense budgets and key programs like the B-21 bomber, but investor sentiment is cautious near-term. Analyst consensus is bullish with a $600.62 price target, though technical indicators suggest potential near-term weakness. Risks include contract dependencies and macroeconomic shifts in defense spending.
Norfolk Southern (NSC) trades at $313.20, down 0.98% on the day, with a bearish technical outlook despite strong fundamentals. The company has consistently beaten earnings expectations in recent quarters, with Q2 2026 EPS of $3.52 exceeding the $3.32 forecast. Key developments include the proposed merger with Union Pacific, which is progressing through regulatory review and expected to close by late 2027. Financial metrics show solid profitability with 21.02% net income margin and 16.97% ROE, though cash flow trends indicate negative net cash flow in both 2025 and 2026.
The investment case balances strong operational performance against merger execution risks and technical weakness. With 44% analyst buy ratings and a $361.86 consensus price target suggesting 15% upside, the stock offers value if merger benefits materialize. However, regulatory hurdles, fuel cost pressures, and bearish technical signals warrant caution for near-term investors.
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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 →Norfolk Southern Corporation is a major North American railroad company operating one of the largest freight rail networks in the eastern United States. The company transports a diverse range of commodities, including coal, intermodal containers, and various industrial products. NSC is a critical link in the nation's supply chain, providing efficient, long-haul transportation services to and from ports and industrial centers.
Read more on NSC →