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BWXT vs NOC
Which Stock Would AI Choose? BWX Technologies (BWXT) vs. Northrop Grumman (NOC) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- BWXT delivered strong Q4 2025 earnings with non-GAAP EPS of $1.08, beating estimates, and initiated robust 2026 guidance amid naval nuclear propulsion demand.
- NOC reported a record $95.68 billion backlog and favorable 2026 revenue outlook of $43.5-44.0 billion, fueled by geopolitical tensions boosting defense spending.
- Year-to-date, NOC outperforms BWXT with +33.55% vs. +19.09% returns, reflecting broader aerospace momentum.
- Valuation contrast: BWXT trades at a higher P/E of 57.49 compared to NOC's 26.11, signaling growth premium for nuclear focus.
- Both stocks benefit from defense sector tailwinds, but NOC shows stronger market cap ($108B vs. $18.8B) and backlog visibility.
- Recent sentiment shifts favor NOC on B-21 progress and rising orders, while BWXT gains from uranium enrichment initiatives.
Introduction
This stock comparison examines BWXT and NOC, two key players in the defense and nuclear sectors amid heightened geopolitical tensions and sustained U.S. military spending. BWXT specializes in naval nuclear components, while NOC leads in aerospace systems. Traders seeking exposure to defense growth drivers, such as missile defense and propulsion technologies, and investors tracking relative performance in industrials will find this analysis relevant for understanding market positioning, recent momentum, and sector contrasts in the current environment.
BWXT Overview and Recent Performance
BWXT, or BWX Technologies, Inc., is a leading manufacturer of nuclear components for naval propulsion, commercial power, and government operations. The company has produced over 350 naval reactors since the 1950s and supports high-consequence U.S. Department of Energy sites. In recent market activity, shares traded around $205.83, within a 52-week range of $84.21-$220.57, reflecting YTD gains of 19.09% and 1-year returns of 104.36%.
Sentiment has been influenced by Q4 2025 results, with non-GAAP EPS of $1.08 beating estimates by 21%, revenue up 18% to $3.2B, and backlog surging 50% to $7.3B. Guidance for 2026 projects non-GAAP EPS of $4.55-$4.70 and adjusted EBITDA of $645-$660M, driven by multi-year naval and commercial nuclear awards, including a $174M fuel contract and uranium enrichment facility launch. These developments underscore stable government demand, though recent pullbacks highlight valuation concerns at a P/E of 57.49.
NOC Overview and Recent Performance
NOC, Northrop Grumman Corporation, is a global aerospace and defense leader across aeronautics, mission, defense, and space systems, including stealth bombers and missile interceptors. Operating segments emphasize advanced aircraft, cyber solutions, and satellite payloads. Shares recently closed at $759.11, in a 52-week range of $450.13-$774.00, with YTD performance at +33.55% and 1-year gains of 62.93%.
Recent weeks saw upward momentum from Q4 2025 earnings, with EPS of $7.23 topping forecasts, revenue at $11.7B (up 9.6%), and a record $95.68B backlog. 2026 guidance targets $43.5-44.0B in revenue, supported by B-21 Raider acceleration and geopolitical demand for defense tech. A 5.9% stock rise followed these updates, amid Iran-related tensions boosting sector sentiment, though pullbacks reflect profit-taking near highs. P/E stands at 26.11, with ROE at 26.17%.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
BWXT and NOC both thrive in defense but diverge in focus: BWXT's niche in nuclear propulsion offers specialized growth via naval contracts and commercial reactors, contrasting NOC's broad exposure to aeronautics (B-21), missiles, and space. Recent momentum favors NOC with superior YTD returns and massive backlog, while BWXT impresses with 50% backlog growth on a smaller base.
Risk factors include execution on multi-year programs for both, but NOC faces broader geopolitical volatility, offset by diversified revenue ($42B TTM). BWXT's higher P/E reflects nuclear premium, versus NOC's value at 26x amid 10% margins. Sector tailwinds from budgets elevate both, yet NOC's scale provides stability, trading off BWXT's higher growth potential in uranium enrichment.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently favors NOC due to its trend consistency, unmatched backlog visibility, and relative positioning in aerospace amid rising defense catalysts. Observable factors like superior YTD performance and B-21 momentum suggest higher probability of sustained outperformance versus BWXT's niche volatility, though BWXT remains compelling for nuclear specialists.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full Disclaimers and Limitations.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is BWXT is a Buy and NOC is a Hold.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
BWXT’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green whileNOC’s FA Score has 0 green FA rating(s).
- BWXT’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- NOC’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
BWXT’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while NOC’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- BWXT’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 5 bearish.
- NOC’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 3 bearish.
Price Growth
BWXT (@Aerospace & Defense) experienced а -5.08% price change this week, while NOC (@Aerospace & Defense) price change was -3.28% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Aerospace & Defense industry was +1.30%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +2.48%, and the average quarterly price growth was +33.61%.
Reported Earning Dates
BWXT is expected to report earnings on Aug 10, 2026.
NOC is expected to report earnings on Jul 23, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Aerospace & Defense (+1.30% weekly)Aerospace & Defense is one of largest industries in the U.S., mainly comprising the following areas: commercial airliners, military aircraft, missiles, space, and general aviation. Focused heavily on research & development, it is also one of the fastest growing industries. Military aircraft has the largest market share in the industry’s sales, followed by space systems, civil aircraft, and missiles. Aerospace exports, directly and indirectly, support more jobs than the export of any other commodity, according to a study by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin Corporation and General Electric Company are some of the most prominent players in this space.
| BWXT | NOC | BWXT / NOC | |
| Capitalization | 18.8B | 78.1B | 24% |
| EBITDA | 569M | 7.7B | 7% |
| Gain YTD | 18.962 | -3.320 | -571% |
| P/E Ratio | 54.75 | 17.23 | 318% |
| Revenue | 3.38B | 42.4B | 8% |
| Total Cash | 512M | 2.09B | 24% |
| Total Debt | 2.02B | 16.3B | 12% |
BWXT | NOC | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 50 | 50 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 94 Overvalued | 52 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 12 | 46 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 34 | 34 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 48 | 64 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 16 | 63 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
NOC's Valuation (52) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is somewhat better than the same rating for BWXT (94). This means that NOC’s stock grew somewhat faster than BWXT’s over the last 12 months.
BWXT's Profit vs Risk Rating (12) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is somewhat better than the same rating for NOC (46). This means that BWXT’s stock grew somewhat faster than NOC’s over the last 12 months.
BWXT's SMR Rating (34) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as NOC (34). This means that BWXT’s stock grew similarly to NOC’s over the last 12 months.
BWXT's Price Growth Rating (48) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as NOC (64). This means that BWXT’s stock grew similarly to NOC’s over the last 12 months.
BWXT's P/E Growth Rating (16) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is somewhat better than the same rating for NOC (63). This means that BWXT’s stock grew somewhat faster than NOC’s over the last 12 months.
| BWXT | NOC | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 50% | 4 days ago 73% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 66% | 4 days ago 51% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 51% | 4 days ago 41% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 52% | N/A |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 55% | 4 days ago 43% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 56% | 4 days ago 34% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 19 days ago 69% | 14 days ago 59% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 55% | 4 days ago 44% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 62% | 4 days ago 63% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 65% | 4 days ago 33% |
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BWXT and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, BWXT has been closely correlated with CW. These tickers have moved in lockstep 79% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if BWXT jumps, then CW could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To BWXT | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BWXT | 100% | -2.17% | ||
| CW - BWXT | 79% Closely correlated | +0.66% | ||
| KTOS - BWXT | 50% Loosely correlated | +1.56% | ||
| HWM - BWXT | 50% Loosely correlated | -0.68% | ||
| MRCY - BWXT | 50% Loosely correlated | +2.59% | ||
| AIR - BWXT | 49% Loosely correlated | -0.03% | ||
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