Northrop Grumman Corporation vs Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. — how do they compare? Northrop Grumman Corporation trades at $575 (market cap $81.78B), while Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. trades at $103.91 (market cap $15.71B). The key difference: Northrop Grumman Corporation is far larger — about 5.2× Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.'s market cap, and Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. pays the higher dividend (3.23%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| NOC | SWK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $81.78B | $15.71B |
Sector | Industrials | — |
52-Week High | $768.02 | $104.00 |
52-Week Low | $496.02 | $62.12 |
Enterprise Value | $95.77B | $19.87B |
Dividend Yield | 1.63% | 3.23% |
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.
Stanley Black & Decker (SWK) trades at $103.11, up 0.46% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages but overbought RSI readings near 80. The company has beaten earnings estimates for three consecutive quarters, with Q2 2026 EPS of $1.57 exceeding expectations by 30%. Recent news highlights a $1 billion U.S. investment plan and strong institutional buying, while fundamentals show improving margins and debt reduction progress.
SWK presents a mixed outlook: positive earnings momentum and strategic initiatives support upside, but valuation appears stretched with a P/E of 25.4 above sector averages. Risks include competitive pressures and macroeconomic sensitivity. Analyst consensus is cautious with a hold-heavy rating and $93.67 price target below current levels, suggesting limited near-term upside despite operational improvements.
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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 →Stanley Black & Decker Inc is a manufacturer of hand and power tools. The company operates three business segments: tools and storage, security, and industrial. Tools and storage, the largest segment by revenue, sells hand tools and power tools to professional end-users, distributors, retail consumers, and industrial customers. Security installs electronic security systems and provides electronic security services including alarm monitoring and video surveillance. Industrial sells engineered fastening products such as stud-welding systems, blind inserts and tools, and engineered plastic and mechanical fasteners. The largest end market is the United States of America.
Read more on SWK →