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LHX or LMT or NOC
Which Stock Would AI Choose? L3Harris Technologies (LHX) vs. Lockheed Martin (LMT) vs. Northrop Grumman (NOC) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- L3Harris Technologies (LHX) is trading near its 52-week low after a sharp pullback, even as record backlog, a $4.7 billion PAC-3 propulsion award, and raised 2026 guidance support its fundamentals.
- Lockheed Martin (LMT) is the momentum leader of the group, up double digits year-to-date on a record $230 billion backlog and a $35 billion THAAD contract.
- Northrop Grumman (NOC) sits between the two, with a raised full-year outlook and steady F-35 sensor demand offset by softer near-term price action.
- All three carry "Buy" consensus ratings, but their relative performance and valuation profiles have diverged materially in recent months.
- Each name offers distinct risk exposure, from L3Harris' fixed-price space and missile execution to Lockheed's concentration on munitions restocking.
Introduction
L3Harris Technologies, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman are three of the largest U.S. aerospace and defense primes, yet they occupy different corners of the same demand cycle. Rising global defense budgets, missile restocking, and space and electronic warfare programs have lifted backlogs across the sector, but investors have rewarded these companies unevenly. This stock comparison examines their relative performance, market positioning, and near-term drivers. It is relevant to both long-term investors evaluating defense exposure and active traders watching momentum and valuation shifts among three closely followed industry bellwethers.
LHX Overview and Recent Performance
LHX, L3Harris Technologies, is a mission-systems specialist focused on secure communications, electronic warfare, space payloads, and missile propulsion. Unlike platform-heavy rivals, it concentrates on the technology "layer" of defense. In recent weeks, the stock has traded near its 52-week low, down roughly 18% year-to-date, despite strengthening fundamentals. First-quarter 2026 revenue rose 12% to $5.7 billion, and the company's second-quarter report showed an EPS (earnings per share) beat alongside an 8% revenue increase to $5.9 billion. Backlog climbed to a record, supported by a $4.7 billion PAC-3 propulsion contract and roughly $20 billion in new contract negotiations. Sentiment has been pressured by a postponed Aerojet Rocketdyne-related IPO (initial public offering), now targeted for mid-2027, and by concerns over fixed-price program execution and supply-chain constraints. Management has emphasized execution over restructuring under new leadership.
LMT Overview and Recent Performance
LMT, Lockheed Martin, is the world's largest defense contractor, spanning the F-35 fighter, missile defense systems such as THAAD and PAC-3, helicopters, and space. Recent market activity has favored the stock, which has risen roughly 12% year-to-date and outperformed the broader defense industry. Second-quarter 2026 results beat estimates, with revenue up 10.5% to $20.06 billion and EPS of $7.94. A record $230.4 billion backlog, up 38% year-over-year, was driven by a seven-year, $35 billion THAAD interceptor contract and a book-to-bill ratio above 3.0. The company raised its 2026 revenue guidance to $79.75–$81.75 billion and EPS to $29.95–$30.65. Analysts, including an upgrade from UBS, cite unusual revenue visibility from munitions restocking, though execution risk on fixed-price programs and a higher debt-to-capital ratio remain considerations for investors.
NOC Overview and Recent Performance
NOC, Northrop Grumman, is a diversified aerospace and defense prime with strengths in stealth aircraft such as the B-21, space systems, mission systems, and solid rocket motors. Its recent performance has been more muted, with the stock down low double digits year-to-date despite steady operational results. Second-quarter 2026 sales rose 5% to $10.88 billion, and the company raised its full-year revenue and EPS outlook while reaffirming adjusted free-cash-flow targets. Backlog stood near a record $95.7 billion. A $123.8 million U.S. Navy award for 67 APG-85 F-35 radars extends sensor-production visibility into 2031, and progress on the Sentinel missile program supports the longer-term narrative. Near-term sentiment has been weighed down by margin pressure in the Defense Systems and Space Systems segments and by comparisons against a strong prior-year quarter.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
The three stocks diverge most clearly in business model and momentum. LMT offers the largest revenue base and the greatest exposure to the munitions restocking cycle, which has driven its relative outperformance and a record backlog, but it carries a higher debt-to-capital ratio and concentration in platform programs. LHX is the most specialized, with a technology-focused portfolio that positions it in faster-growing areas such as space sensing and missile propulsion, yet it has experienced the weakest recent momentum and faces more visible fixed-price execution and supply-chain risk. NOC sits between them, offering a diversified mix of stealth, space, and propulsion with a comparatively modest valuation on a price-to-sales basis but softer near-term segment margins. On valuation, all three trade below consensus analyst targets, though LMT's forward earnings multiple is the lowest of the group, reflecting a more cautious market stance on its growth durability.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable trend consistency, stability, catalysts, and relative positioning, Tickeron's AI would likely favor LMT among the three. Lockheed Martin currently combines the strongest demonstrated momentum, a record and expanding backlog, and the clearest near-term catalysts from multi-year munitions and missile-defense awards. That said, the verdict is probabilistic rather than definitive: LHX offers a potentially more attractive valuation reset with substantial backlog upside, and NOC provides diversified stability. The relative ranking could shift if execution risks materialize or if momentum rotates toward the laggards.
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.
LHX | LMT | NOC | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 75 | 72 | 66 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 37 Fair valued | 59 Fair valued | 60 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 85 | 45 | 68 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 72 | 15 | 36 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 64 | 59 | 63 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 73 | 77 | 71 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 24 | 50 | 85 |
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.
LHX's Valuation (37) in the null industry is in the same range as LMT (59) in the Aerospace And Defense industry, and is in the same range as NOC (60) in the Aerospace And Defense industry. This means that LHX's stock grew similarly to LMT’s and similarly to NOC’s over the last 12 months.
LMT's Profit vs Risk Rating (45) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as NOC (68) in the Aerospace And Defense industry, and is somewhat better than the same rating for LHX (85) in the null industry. This means that LMT's stock grew similarly to NOC’s and somewhat faster than LHX’s over the last 12 months.
LMT's SMR Rating (15) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as NOC (36) in the Aerospace And Defense industry, and is somewhat better than the same rating for LHX (72) in the null industry. This means that LMT's stock grew similarly to NOC’s and somewhat faster than LHX’s over the last 12 months.
LMT's Price Growth Rating (59) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as NOC (63) in the Aerospace And Defense industry, and is in the same range as LHX (64) in the null industry. This means that LMT's stock grew similarly to NOC’s and similarly to LHX’s over the last 12 months.
NOC's P/E Growth Rating (71) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as LHX (73) in the null industry, and is in the same range as LMT (77) in the Aerospace And Defense industry. This means that NOC's stock grew similarly to LHX’s and similarly to LMT’s over the last 12 months.
| LHX | LMT | NOC | |
|---|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 76% | 1 day ago 63% | 1 day ago 52% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | N/A | 1 day ago 58% | 1 day ago 59% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | N/A | 1 day ago 53% | 1 day ago 55% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 55% | 1 day ago 44% | 1 day ago 58% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 60% | 1 day ago 52% | 1 day ago 50% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 64% | 1 day ago 55% | 1 day ago 43% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 6 days ago 52% | 20 days ago 59% | 22 days ago 61% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 12 days ago 58% | 5 days ago 53% | 1 day ago 49% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 66% | N/A | 1 day ago 71% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 57% | 1 day ago 50% | 1 day ago 46% |
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 overvalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
LHX’s FA Score shows that 0 FA rating(s) are green while LMT’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s), and NOC’s FA Score reflects 0 green FA rating(s).
- LHX’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
- 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.
LHX’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while LMT’s TA Score has 3 bullish TA indicator(s), and NOC’s TA Score reflects 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- LHX’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 2 bearish.
- LMT’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 7 bearish.
- NOC’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 6 bearish.
Price Growth
LHX (@Aerospace & Defense) experienced а -0.34% price change this week, while LMT (@Aerospace & Defense) price change was -2.21% , and NOC (@Aerospace & Defense) price fluctuated -5.87% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Aerospace & Defense industry was -1.54%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -8.26%, and the average quarterly price growth was -11.33%.
Reported Earning Dates
LHX is expected to report earnings on Oct 22, 2026.
LMT is expected to report earnings on Oct 22, 2026.
NOC is expected to report earnings on Oct 20, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Aerospace & Defense (-1.54% 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.
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LMT and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, LMT has been closely correlated with NOC. These tickers have moved in lockstep 70% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if LMT jumps, then NOC could also see price increases.
NOC and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, NOC has been closely correlated with LMT. These tickers have moved in lockstep 70% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if NOC jumps, then LMT could also see price increases.