Northrop Grumman Corporation vs Star Bulk Carriers Corp — how do they compare? Northrop Grumman Corporation trades at $575 (market cap $81.78B), while Star Bulk Carriers Corp trades at $27.91 (market cap $3.09B). The key difference: Northrop Grumman Corporation is far larger — about 26.5× Star Bulk Carriers Corp's market cap, and Star Bulk Carriers Corp pays the higher dividend (6.79%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| NOC | SBLK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $81.78B | $3.09B |
Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
52-Week High | $768.02 | $29.15 |
52-Week Low | $496.02 | $16.79 |
Enterprise Value | $95.77B | $3.77B |
Dividend Yield | 1.63% | 6.79% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Northrop Grumman (NOC) trades at $577.11, down 0.13% on the day, with a bullish technical trend supported by moving averages despite overbought RSI signals. The company reported strong Q2 2026 earnings, beating EPS estimates with a record $105 billion backlog, driven by defense contracts like the Sentinel program. Fundamentals show solid profitability with a 10.48% net income margin and 26.96% ROE, though valuation ratios like P/E of 18.3 are moderate. Recent news highlights a $3 billion missile-interceptor agreement, reinforcing growth prospects.
Outlook remains positive with analyst consensus favoring Buy (57% of ratings) and a $598.57 price target, implying ~4% upside. Key opportunities include sustained defense spending and backlog execution, while risks involve margin pressures from specific programs and geopolitical dependencies. The stock's proximity to its 52-week high suggests cautious optimism amid robust operational performance.
Star Bulk Carriers (SBLK) trades at $27.89, down 1.86% on the day, amid a bullish technical signal and strong fundamental performance. The company reported robust Q2 2026 earnings of $1.21 per share, beating estimates, with net income surging to $144.9 million. Valuation metrics appear attractive with a P/E of 10.85 and EV/EBITDA of 7.46, while profitability improved significantly with a net margin of 23.87% in 2026. Recent news highlights dividend declarations and strong operational results.
Outlook remains positive driven by earnings beats and healthy cash flow, though risks include dry bulk rate volatility and competitive pressures. Analyst consensus is bullish with 14 buy ratings, supporting potential upside, but investors should monitor shipping market cycles and debt levels.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
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 →Star Bulk Carriers Corp. is a global shipping company specializing in the seaborne transportation of dry bulk commodities. The company owns and operates a large fleet of bulk carriers, primarily transporting major commodities such as iron ore, coal, and grain. SBLK focuses on the Capesize, Post Panamax, and Kamsarmax vessel segments, providing critical logistical services to commodity producers and consumers worldwide.
Read more on SBLK →