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HII vs NOC
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) vs. Northrop Grumman (NOC) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) specializes in naval shipbuilding, while Northrop Grumman (NOC) offers broader aerospace and defense capabilities, including aircraft, missiles, and space systems.
- Both stocks operate in the defense sector and are influenced by U.S. government contracts and geopolitical developments, with recent market activity reflecting sector-wide pressures such as analyst target adjustments.
- HII shares have traded lower in recent weeks amid broader industrials sector underperformance, with the stock positioned below its 52-week highs.
- NOC shares have experienced volatility, with price target reductions from multiple analysts offset by contract awards and an upcoming earnings release.
- Relative performance shows divergence in recent market activity, with differences in market capitalization, beta, and earnings timelines highlighting distinct risk profiles.
- Sector exposure remains concentrated in defense for both, though NOC’s larger scale provides different liquidity and institutional interest dynamics compared to HII.
Introduction
Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) and Northrop Grumman (NOC) represent two prominent players in the U.S. defense industry, making them relevant for investors and traders seeking exposure to government contracting and national security themes. This comparison examines their business models, recent stock behavior, and market positioning in the current environment. Portfolio managers focused on sector rotation, income-oriented investors evaluating dividend stability, and traders monitoring defense equities may find the analysis useful for understanding relative strengths and trade-offs between a specialized shipbuilder and a diversified aerospace and defense contractor.
HII Overview and Recent Performance
Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) is the largest U.S. naval shipbuilder, constructing aircraft carriers, submarines, and other vessels primarily for the Navy. The company’s operations center on long-term government contracts that provide revenue visibility. In recent market activity, HII shares have declined, trading around the $269 level and remaining well below the 52-week high of $460. Performance has been pressured by broader industrials sector trends and a modest price target reduction from at least one analyst firm. Upcoming second-quarter 2026 earnings, scheduled for July 30, represent a near-term catalyst that could influence sentiment. Low beta relative to the market has contributed to relatively stable but muted price action amid defense sector fluctuations.
NOC Overview and Recent Performance
Northrop Grumman (NOC) is a major defense contractor with operations spanning aeronautics, space systems, missiles, and mission solutions. The company benefits from a diversified backlog of U.S. and international contracts. In recent weeks, NOC shares have shown volatility, closing near $521 with a market capitalization of approximately $74 billion. Multiple analyst firms have lowered price targets, though contract modifications, including Navy awards, have provided support. The stock trades below its 52-week high, and upcoming second-quarter 2026 earnings on July 21 could serve as a focal point for investors. Mixed analyst ratings and sector-specific news flow have shaped sentiment during this period.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) maintains a focused business model centered on naval platforms, offering exposure to shipbuilding programs with multi-year visibility but limited diversification outside maritime defense. Northrop Grumman (NOC) provides broader exposure across air, space, and missile systems, supporting a larger market capitalization and potentially greater institutional liquidity. Recent momentum has differed, with HII reflecting steadier but lower-beta behavior and NOC experiencing more pronounced analyst-driven volatility alongside contract developments. Risk factors include contract concentration for both, though NOC’s scale may moderate single-program exposure. Market sentiment remains tied to defense spending trends and earnings expectations, with HII’s later earnings date creating a staggered information flow relative to NOC. Sector exposure overlaps significantly in government contracts, yet the companies’ differing sizes and product mixes create distinct positioning for investors balancing specialization against diversification.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as trend consistency, earnings timing, and relative positioning within the defense sector, Tickeron’s AI models would currently assign a modestly higher probabilistic preference to Northrop Grumman (NOC) over Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII). NOC’s larger scale, diversified contract base, and proximity to its earnings release provide a slightly more defined near-term catalyst profile, while HII’s specialized focus and later reporting date introduce different variables. This assessment reflects pattern recognition across recent price action and sector data rather than a definitive ranking.
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 disclaimer.
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 HII is a Buy and NOC is a Buy.
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).
HII’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green whileNOC’s FA Score has 0 green FA rating(s).
- HII’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 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.
HII’s TA Score shows that 6 TA indicator(s) are bullish while NOC’s TA Score has 6 bullish TA indicator(s).
- HII’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 2 bearish.
- NOC’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 3 bearish.
Price Growth
HII (@Aerospace & Defense) experienced а +6.86% price change this week, while NOC (@Aerospace & Defense) price change was +3.96% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Aerospace & Defense industry was -0.19%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -8.76%, and the average quarterly price growth was -10.50%.
Reported Earning Dates
HII is expected to report earnings on Jul 30, 2026.
NOC is expected to report earnings on Oct 22, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Aerospace & Defense (-0.19% 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.
| HII | NOC | HII / NOC | |
| Capitalization | 11.3B | 77B | 15% |
| EBITDA | 1.2B | 7.7B | 16% |
| Gain YTD | -14.802 | -4.181 | 354% |
| P/E Ratio | 18.69 | 17.24 | 108% |
| Revenue | 12.8B | 42.4B | 30% |
| Total Cash | 216M | 2.09B | 10% |
| Total Debt | 2.93B | 16.3B | 18% |
HII | NOC | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 61 | 23 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 30 Undervalued | 54 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 70 | 59 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 65 | 34 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 61 | 59 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 52 | 69 | |
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.
HII's Valuation (30) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as NOC (54). This means that HII’s stock grew similarly to NOC’s over the last 12 months.
NOC's Profit vs Risk Rating (59) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as HII (70). This means that NOC’s stock grew similarly to HII’s over the last 12 months.
NOC's SMR Rating (34) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as HII (65). This means that NOC’s stock grew similarly to HII’s over the last 12 months.
NOC's Price Growth Rating (59) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as HII (61). This means that NOC’s stock grew similarly to HII’s over the last 12 months.
HII's P/E Growth Rating (52) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as NOC (69). This means that HII’s stock grew similarly to NOC’s over the last 12 months.
| HII | NOC | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 50% | 2 days ago 57% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 57% | 2 days ago 58% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 66% | 2 days ago 59% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 69% | 2 days ago 63% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 62% | 2 days ago 57% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 64% | 2 days ago 55% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 60% | 2 days ago 60% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 9 days ago 58% | 10 days ago 46% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 53% | 2 days ago 54% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 61% | 2 days ago 42% |
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HII and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, HII has been loosely correlated with LHX. These tickers have moved in lockstep 63% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if HII jumps, then LHX could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To HII | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HII | 100% | +0.17% | ||
| LHX - HII | 63% Loosely correlated | +0.18% | ||
| GD - HII | 61% Loosely correlated | +1.30% | ||
| RTX - HII | 51% Loosely correlated | +1.74% | ||
| KTOS - HII | 51% Loosely correlated | -4.23% | ||
| KRMN - HII | 50% Loosely correlated | -4.59% | ||
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NOC and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, NOC has been loosely correlated with LHX. These tickers have moved in lockstep 66% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if NOC jumps, then LHX could also see price increases.