Northrop Grumman Corporation vs Global X Defense Tech ETF — how do they compare? Northrop Grumman Corporation trades at $577.94 (market cap $81.78B), while Global X Defense Tech ETF trades at $70.07. The key difference: Northrop Grumman Corporation pays a 1.63% dividend while Global X Defense Tech ETF pays none, and Global X Defense Tech ETF is trading nearer its 52-week high, Northrop Grumman Corporation nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| NOC | SHLD | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $81.78B | — |
Sector | Industrials | Sector/Thematic |
52-Week High | $768.02 | $78.02 |
52-Week Low | $496.02 | $58.20 |
Enterprise Value | $95.77B | — |
Dividend Yield | 1.63% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Northrop Grumman (NOC) trades at $577.12, down 0.13% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages but overbought RSI readings. The company reported strong Q2 2026 earnings, beating estimates with EPS of $7.68, and raised full-year guidance, supported by a record $105 billion backlog. Revenue growth is steady, with 2026 projected at $42.9 billion, and profitability remains solid with a net income margin of 10.48%.
The outlook is positive, driven by strategic contracts like the $7.6 billion Sentinel program and defense spending tailwinds. Risks include margin pressures from specific programs and geopolitical uncertainties. Analysts are bullish with a consensus price target of $598.57, suggesting upside potential from current levels.
SHLD, the Global X Defense Tech ETF, trades at $70.08, up 0.33% with a bullish technical signal from moving averages but overbought RSI readings. Recent news highlights institutional accumulation, including Focus Financial Network increasing its stake by 55.4% in Q2 2026 (Defense World, 2026-08-11). The ETF provides diversified exposure to global defense stocks amid rising military spending trends.
Outlook is supported by geopolitical tensions and defense budget growth, but risks include policy shifts and valuation concerns. Analysts note SHLD's lower fees and tech focus versus peers, with a dividend of $0.19 scheduled for July 2026. Key resistance is at $70, with support at $69.
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 →SHLD tracks the Global X Defense Tech Index, targeting companies that lead the technological transformation of the defense sector. It focuses on pure-play innovators in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, robotics, and advanced military systems, excluding traditional commercial aerospace to maintain a high level of thematic purity.
Read more on SHLD →