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BWXT or HII or NOC
Which Stock Would AI Choose? BWX Technologies (BWXT) vs. Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) vs. Northrop Grumman (NOC) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- BWXT delivered strong Q4 2025 earnings with EPS of $1.08 beating estimates, record backlog of $7.3B, and 2026 guidance signaling high-teens revenue growth driven by naval nuclear and commercial segments.
- HII leads in 1-year performance at +125%, supported by shipbuilding advancements like the USS Philadelphia keel authentication and unmanned naval initiatives amid robust defense demand.
- NOC boasts the largest market cap at $108B and YTD gains of 33%, bolstered by a record $96B backlog, $225M E-130J contract, and broad exposure across aeronautics, defense, and space.
- All three stocks in the defense sector show low betas (0.01-0.81), indicating relative stability, with dividends yielding 0.52%-1.31% and PE ratios reflecting growth premiums (26-55x).
- Recent market activity highlights supply chain pressures like rare earth materials, yet contract wins and geopolitical tensions sustain positive sentiment across BWXT, HII, and NOC.
- Year-to-date, NOC outperforms at +33%, followed by HII (+27%) and BWXT (+13%), amid rising U.S. defense spending.
Introduction
BWX Technologies (BWXT), Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), and Northrop Grumman (NOC) are key players in the aerospace and defense sector, specializing in nuclear components, shipbuilding, and advanced systems respectively. This comparison analyzes their recent performance, business models, and market positioning amid heightened geopolitical tensions and sustained U.S. defense budgets. Traders seeking momentum in defense-related equities and long-term investors focused on backlog visibility and sector tailwinds will find these insights valuable for evaluating relative performance and stock comparison opportunities.
BWXT Overview and Recent Performance
BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT) is a leading supplier of nuclear components, fuel, and services, primarily serving U.S. naval propulsion programs and commercial nuclear power. With over 350 naval reactors produced since the 1950s, it holds a sole-source position in critical defense applications. In recent market activity, BWXT shares traded around $195, with a 52-week range of $84-$221 and market cap near $18B. The stock has gained 13% YTD and 96% over one year, reflecting strong momentum. Q4 2025 results showed EPS of $1.08 beating estimates by 22%, revenue up 19% to $886M, and a record $7.3B backlog up 50% YoY, fueled by multi-year naval and commercial awards. 2026 guidance projects $3.75B revenue and EPS of $4.55-$4.70, supported by acquisitions and commercial nuclear growth. Sentiment remains positive despite rare earth supply concerns, with low beta (0.81) underscoring stability.
HII Overview and Recent Performance
Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (HII) designs, builds, and maintains U.S. Navy ships, including nuclear-powered carriers and submarines, alongside non-nuclear vessels and mission technologies. As the largest military shipbuilder, it operates via Ingalls, Newport News, and Mission Technologies divisions. Shares recently hovered at $429, within a 52-week range of $177-$460, with a $17B market cap. Performance stands out at 27% YTD and 125% over one year, driven by shipbuilding demand. Recent quarters featured Q4 EPS of $4.04 topping estimates, with advancements like the USS Philadelphia (LPD 32) keel authentication and unmanned naval pushes enhancing visibility. A $45B+ backlog supports steady execution amid labor and supply challenges. Low beta (0.28) and 1.31% yield bolster appeal, though rare earth constraints pose risks. Investor sentiment favors HII's maritime focus in recent weeks.
NOC Overview and Recent Performance
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC) delivers aerospace and defense technologies across aeronautics, defense systems, mission systems, and space, with key programs in stealth bombers, missiles, and satellites. Operating globally, it serves U.S. government and international clients. Shares traded near $756, in a 52-week range of $450-$774, boasting a $108B market cap. YTD gains of 33% and 62% one-year returns lead peers, reflecting broad sector exposure. Recent highlights include a record $96B backlog and $225M E-130J contract, with Q4 EPS of $7.23 surpassing forecasts. Geopolitical tensions and production ramps, including Trump administration comments on output boosts, have lifted sentiment. Beta near 0.01 signals exceptional stability, complemented by 1.25% yield, though supply chain issues like rare earths persist. Strong contract flow sustains relative outperformance.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
BWXT, HII, and NOC share defense exposure but diverge in models: BWXT’s niche nuclear focus offers high margins (PE 55x) and growth via commercial diversification, contrasting HII’s shipbuilding cycle sensitivity (PE 28x, highest momentum). NOC balances scale (PE 26x) across diversified segments. Growth drivers include naval propulsion for BWXT/HII and space/missiles for NOC, with backlogs ($7B-$96B) ensuring visibility. Risks encompass supply squeezes and program delays, yet low betas mitigate volatility. Valuation sensitivity rises with BWXT’s premium; sentiment favors all amid rearmament, but HII trades richest relative to peers.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently favors NOC for its unmatched backlog scale, diversified catalysts across segments, trend consistency, and leading YTD positioning, offering probabilistic stability in volatile defense markets. HII trails closely on momentum, while BWXT appeals for nuclear upside.
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. Disclaimers and Limitations
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 3 FA rating(s) are green whileHII’s FA Score has 3 green FA rating(s), and NOC’s FA Score reflects 1 green FA rating(s).
- BWXT’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 red.
- HII’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 red.
- NOC’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 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 6 TA indicator(s) are bullish while HII’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s), and NOC’s TA Score reflects 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- BWXT’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
- HII’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 6 bearish.
- NOC’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 5 bearish.
Price Growth
BWXT (@Aerospace & Defense) experienced а -1.97% price change this week, while HII (@Aerospace & Defense) price change was -0.58% , and NOC (@Aerospace & Defense) price fluctuated -3.57% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Aerospace & Defense industry was +5.37%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +14.78%, and the average quarterly price growth was +27.74%.
Reported Earning Dates
BWXT is expected to report earnings on May 04, 2026.
HII is expected to report earnings on May 05, 2026.
NOC is expected to report earnings on Apr 21, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Aerospace & Defense (+5.37% 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 | HII | NOC | |
| Capitalization | 20.9B | 15.4B | 93.3B |
| EBITDA | 552M | 1.21B | 7.21B |
| Gain YTD | 32.235 | 15.687 | 15.586 |
| P/E Ratio | 63.75 | 25.48 | 22.59 |
| Revenue | 3.2B | 12.5B | 42B |
| Total Cash | N/A | 774M | 4.4B |
| Total Debt | 2.02B | 2.92B | 17B |
BWXT | HII | NOC | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 16 | 56 | 52 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 95 Overvalued | 15 Undervalued | 58 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 8 | 30 | 10 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 33 | 60 | 35 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 40 | 46 | 55 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 14 | 21 | 44 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | n/a | n/a | 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 (15) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is somewhat better than the same rating for NOC (58) and is significantly better than the same rating for BWXT (95). This means that HII's stock grew somewhat faster than NOC’s and significantly faster than BWXT’s over the last 12 months.
BWXT's Profit vs Risk Rating (8) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as NOC (10) and is in the same range as HII (30). This means that BWXT's stock grew similarly to NOC’s and similarly to HII’s over the last 12 months.
BWXT's SMR Rating (33) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as NOC (35) and is in the same range as HII (60). This means that BWXT's stock grew similarly to NOC’s and similarly to HII’s over the last 12 months.
BWXT's Price Growth Rating (40) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as HII (46) and is in the same range as NOC (55). This means that BWXT's stock grew similarly to HII’s and similarly to NOC’s over the last 12 months.
BWXT's P/E Growth Rating (14) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as HII (21) and is in the same range as NOC (44). This means that BWXT's stock grew similarly to HII’s and similarly to NOC’s over the last 12 months.
| BWXT | HII | NOC | |
|---|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 57% | 1 day ago 56% | 1 day ago 62% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 61% | 1 day ago 55% | 1 day ago 51% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 73% | 1 day ago 53% | 1 day ago 49% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 73% | 1 day ago 61% | N/A |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 55% | 1 day ago 55% | 1 day ago 42% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 71% | 1 day ago 53% | 1 day ago 32% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 7 days ago 69% | 7 days ago 60% | 20 days ago 60% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 12 days ago 55% | 1 day ago 55% | 1 day ago 43% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 52% | 1 day ago 59% | 1 day ago 74% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 67% | 1 day ago 57% | 1 day ago 29% |
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NOC and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, NOC has been loosely correlated with RTX. These tickers have moved in lockstep 58% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if NOC jumps, then RTX could also see price increases.