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LMT vs NOC
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Lockheed Martin (LMT) vs. Northrop Grumman (NOC) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- LMT has delivered stronger year-to-date gains than NOC, reflecting robust demand for its aerospace platforms amid sustained defense spending.
- Both companies maintain substantial contract backlogs, with LMT reporting a larger order book that supports multi-year revenue visibility.
- Recent quarterly results showed earnings beats for both, though LMT raised its full-year outlook while NOC highlighted disciplined capital allocation.
- Sector exposure remains similar, centered on U.S. government contracts, exposing each to budgetary and geopolitical variables.
- Market sentiment has favored LMT in recent weeks, driven by momentum in fighter jet and missile programs, while NOC has traded more in line with broader defense indices.
- Relative valuation and growth consistency position LMT with a slight edge in trend stability based on observable price action and fundamentals.
Introduction
Lockheed Martin (LMT) and Northrop Grumman (NOC) represent two leading players in the aerospace and defense sector. Investors and traders focused on government contracting, geopolitical developments, and long-cycle procurement programs often compare these stocks to assess relative positioning within the same industry. This analysis examines recent price behavior, earnings trends, and market dynamics to highlight key contrasts. Portfolio managers seeking diversification in defense exposure or tactical traders monitoring momentum shifts may find the comparison particularly relevant for evaluating allocation decisions in the current environment.
LMT Overview and Recent Performance
Lockheed Martin (LMT) develops advanced aerospace systems, missiles, and space technologies primarily for U.S. and allied defense customers. The company’s portfolio includes major platforms such as the F-35 fighter jet and various missile defense systems. In recent market activity, LMT shares have shown resilience, with the stock closing near 608.68 on August 14, 2026, after trading in a range that reflected continued institutional interest. Second-quarter results included an earnings beat and an upward revision to full-year guidance, contributing to positive sentiment. Broader defense budget support and ongoing international orders have underpinned performance over recent weeks, helping the shares outperform the sector on a relative basis.
NOC Overview and Recent Performance
Northrop Grumman (NOC) specializes in autonomous systems, space, and missile defense technologies, serving similar government clients. Key programs include bomber platforms and sensor systems. Shares closed at approximately 585.87 on August 14, 2026, following a more measured advance compared with peers. Second-quarter earnings exceeded expectations, with management emphasizing backlog conversion and capital discipline. Recent contract awards, including multi-year framework agreements, have supported stability, though price action has remained closer to sector averages amid broader market rotation. Over recent weeks, NOC has demonstrated steady but less pronounced momentum than certain defense counterparts.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Lockheed Martin (LMT) and Northrop Grumman (NOC) operate overlapping yet differentiated business models within aerospace and defense. LMT benefits from a larger, more diversified platform base that generates recurring revenue across multiple military branches, while NOC maintains strength in autonomous and space systems. Recent momentum has tilted toward LMT, supported by earnings upgrades and backlog expansion. Both face similar risk factors, including reliance on U.S. defense appropriations and potential delays in program execution. Sector exposure remains concentrated in government contracts, though LMT carries greater international revenue weighting. Market sentiment reflects broader defense tailwinds, with LMT exhibiting more consistent trend alignment in recent price data.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors including stronger recent price consistency, earnings momentum, and backlog visibility, Tickeron’s AI would currently assign a higher probability of favorable relative performance to LMT over NOC. This assessment rests on trend stability and catalyst alignment rather than absolute forecasts. Market conditions can shift rapidly, and outcomes remain subject to macroeconomic and policy developments.
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.
Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT) and Northrop Grumman (NOC) are two of the largest companies in the aerospace & Defense industry. Their primary source of revenue is government contracts to develop, manufacture, and deploy military assets such as aircraft, missiles, weapons, and information technology systems including cybersecurity and intelligence systems. LMT has been the world’s largest defense contractor by revenue, getting most of its contracts from the Pentagon as well as a substantial amount of foreign contracts from US allies. NOC’s business is very similar to LMT, but it is about 40% smaller. The companies have similar profit margins. Investors have not been overly impressed with LMT’s performance the past two years, but Lockheed is trying to convince investors that a large classified project, which has taken up company resources so far this year, will definitely turn out well for them in the future.
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).
LMT’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green whileNOC’s FA Score has 0 green FA rating(s).
- LMT’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.
LMT’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while NOC’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- LMT’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
- NOC’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 6 bearish.
Price Growth
LMT (@Aerospace & Defense) experienced а -5.24% price change this week, while NOC (@Aerospace & Defense) price change was -2.66% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Aerospace & Defense industry was -5.99%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -11.18%, and the average quarterly price growth was -10.09%.
Reported Earning Dates
LMT is expected to report earnings on Oct 27, 2026.
NOC is expected to report earnings on Oct 22, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Aerospace & Defense (-5.99% 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.
| LMT | NOC | LMT / NOC | |
| Capitalization | 123B | 75B | 164% |
| EBITDA | 10.2B | 7.44B | 137% |
| Gain YTD | 12.184 | -6.230 | -196% |
| P/E Ratio | 19.65 | 16.79 | 117% |
| Revenue | 77B | 42.9B | 179% |
| Total Cash | N/A | N/A | - |
| Total Debt | 20.5B | 16.3B | 126% |
LMT | NOC | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 64 | 63 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 56 Fair valued | 60 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 41 | 58 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 13 | 36 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 57 | 62 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 72 | 72 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 65 | 65 |
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.
LMT's Valuation (56) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as NOC (60). This means that LMT’s stock grew similarly to NOC’s over the last 12 months.
LMT's Profit vs Risk Rating (41) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as NOC (58). This means that LMT’s stock grew similarly to NOC’s over the last 12 months.
LMT's SMR Rating (13) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as NOC (36). This means that LMT’s stock grew similarly to NOC’s over the last 12 months.
LMT's Price Growth Rating (57) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as NOC (62). This means that LMT’s stock grew similarly to NOC’s over the last 12 months.
LMT's P/E Growth Rating (72) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as NOC (72). This means that LMT’s stock grew similarly to NOC’s over the last 12 months.
| LMT | NOC | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 57% | 1 day ago 53% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 55% | 1 day ago 67% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 47% | 1 day ago 54% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 39% | 1 day ago 57% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 51% | 1 day ago 48% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 54% | 1 day ago 42% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 9 days ago 58% | 29 days ago 60% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 52% | 3 days ago 47% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 59% | 1 day ago 68% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 56% | 1 day ago 63% |
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