Northrop Grumman Corporation vs Union Pacific Corporation — how do they compare? Northrop Grumman Corporation trades at $577.4 (market cap $81.78B), while Union Pacific Corporation trades at $292.74 (market cap $173.99B). The key difference: Union Pacific Corporation is far larger — about 2.1× Northrop Grumman Corporation's market cap, and Union Pacific Corporation pays the higher dividend (1.94%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| NOC | UNP | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $81.78B | $173.99B |
Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
52-Week High | $768.02 | $307.32 |
52-Week Low | $496.02 | $214.91 |
Enterprise Value | $95.77B | $203.04B |
Dividend Yield | 1.63% | 1.94% |
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.
Union Pacific (UNP) trades at $293.85, up 0.55% with neutral technical signals. The company demonstrates strong fundamentals with Q2 2026 EPS beating estimates at $3.41 versus $3.26 expected, marking the second consecutive quarterly beat. Revenue growth of 12% year-over-year and improved operating efficiency support management's raised full-year EPS guidance. The stock maintains robust profitability metrics including 28.85% net margin and 39.7% ROE, though valuation multiples remain elevated with P/E at 23.71.
Outlook remains positive with analyst consensus price target of $334.33 representing 14% upside potential. Key catalysts include service-led growth driving margin expansion and the pending Norfolk Southern merger offering strategic benefits. Risks include high fuel costs, regulatory scrutiny of the merger, and macroeconomic pressures on freight volumes. Institutional ownership trends show continued accumulation by major funds.
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 →Omaha, Nebraska-based Union Pacific is the largest public railroad in North America. Operating on more than 30,000 miles of track in the western two thirds of the U.S., UP generated roughly $22 billion of revenue in 2021 by hauling coal, industrial products, intermodal containers, agriculture goods, chemicals, and automotive goods. UP owns about one fourth of Mexican railroad Ferromex and derives about 10% of its revenue hauling freight to and from Mexico.
Read more on UNP →