CAT vs. NOC: Caterpillar vs. Northrop Grumman Stock Comparison

September 14, 2026

How do Caterpillar (CAT) and Northrop Grumman (NOC) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.

Company Profile

Caterpillar (CAT) and Northrop Grumman (NOC) both fall under the Capital Goods industry group, but CAT is classified in Machinery while NOC is classified in Aerospace & Defense.

Company profile comparison for Caterpillar (CAT) and Northrop Grumman (NOC)
Profile Item	CAT	NOC
Name	Caterpillar Inc.	Northrop Grumman Corporation
Country/Region	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Industrials	Industrials
GICS Industry Group	Capital Goods	Capital Goods
GICS Industry	Machinery	Aerospace & Defense
GICS Sub-Industry	Construction Machinery & Heavy Transportation Equipment	Aerospace & Defense
Market Capitalization	376.28 billion USD	73.73 billion USD
Currency	USD	USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	January 2, 1962	December 31, 1981
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

CAT

NOC

GSPC

Caterpillar (CAT) vs. Northrop Grumman (NOC), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for Caterpillar (CAT) and Northrop Grumman (NOC). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Caterpillar (CAT) and Northrop Grumman (NOC). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Caterpillar (CAT) and Northrop Grumman (NOC)
Metric	CAT	NOC
Total Return (1Y)	91.46%	-9.52%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)	44.66%	8.68%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)	34.19%	9.71%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

CAT

NOC

GSPC

Caterpillar (CAT) vs. Northrop Grumman (NOC), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

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Distribution of monthly total returns for Caterpillar (CAT) and Northrop Grumman (NOC). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Northrop Grumman (NOC) reports a negative beta of -0.12, suggesting inverse market sensitivity over the measurement window. That is uncommon for ordinary equities and can reflect commodity-linked or hedge-like exposure, but it can also come from statistical noise. Caterpillar (CAT) has a non-negative beta of 1.59.

Risk profile metrics for Caterpillar (CAT) and Northrop Grumman (NOC)
Metric	CAT	NOC
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)	39.72%	27.07%
Beta (5Y)	1.59	-0.12
Max Drawdown (5Y)	-34.05%	-35.13%
Avg. Volume (3M)	3.10M	876.25K

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

CAT and NOC are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. The dashed Capital Allocation Line runs from the risk-free rate through the shared industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for Caterpillar (CAT) and Northrop Grumman (NOC)
Metric	CAT	NOC
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)	2.20	-0.51
Sortino Ratio (1Y)	3.54	-0.71

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both companies show strong equity returns, but Caterpillar (CAT) at 56.97% is the standout with ROE above its industry range; Northrop Grumman (NOC) at 26.96% also sits in the top quartile.

CAT

Capital Goods industry group

56.97%

CAT: 56.97%
Max: 40.35%
Q3: 18.69%
Median: 11.55%
Q1: 2.89%
Min: -19.86%

NOC

Capital Goods industry group

26.96%

Max: 40.35%
NOC: 26.96%
Q3: 18.69%
Median: 11.55%
Q1: 2.89%
Min: -19.86%

Caterpillar (CAT) vs. Northrop Grumman (NOC): A comparison of their ROE against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Caterpillar (CAT) at 14.51% retains a top-quartile share of revenue as profit, ahead of Northrop Grumman (NOC) at 10.48%, which keeps about the industry-typical share.

CAT

Capital Goods industry group

14.51%

Max: 27.47%
CAT: 14.51%
Q3: 11.71%
Median: 5.78%
Q1: 0.77%
Min: -14.15%

NOC

Capital Goods industry group

10.48%

Max: 27.47%
Q3: 11.71%
NOC: 10.48%
Median: 5.78%
Q1: 0.77%
Min: -14.15%

Caterpillar (CAT) vs. Northrop Grumman (NOC): A comparison of their net margin against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Caterpillar (CAT) at 22.18% operates in the top operating margin quartile, ahead of Northrop Grumman (NOC) at 11.60%, which runs around its industry’s norm.

CAT

Capital Goods industry group

22.18%

Max: 35.46%
CAT: 22.18%
Q3: 17.39%
Median: 10.58%
Q1: 4.59%
Min: -12.63%

NOC

Capital Goods industry group

11.60%

Max: 35.46%
Q3: 17.39%
NOC: 11.60%
Median: 10.58%
Q1: 4.59%
Min: -12.63%

Caterpillar (CAT) vs. Northrop Grumman (NOC): A comparison of their operating margin against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Caterpillar (CAT) and Northrop Grumman (NOC)
Metric	CAT	NOC
ROE (TTM)	56.97%	26.96%
ROA (TTM)	9.03%	7.15%
Net Margin (TTM)	14.51%	10.48%
Operating Margin (TTM)	22.18%	11.60%
Gross Margin (TTM)	29.71%	20.06%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both Caterpillar (CAT) at 4.29% and Northrop Grumman (NOC) at 2.24% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

Caterpillar (CAT) vs. Northrop Grumman (NOC): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Both Caterpillar (CAT) at -14.69% and Northrop Grumman (NOC) at 2.61% land near their industries' usual EPS growth ranges, so bottom-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

Caterpillar (CAT) vs. Northrop Grumman (NOC): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Caterpillar (CAT) and Northrop Grumman (NOC)
Metric	CAT	NOC
Revenue Growth (YoY)	4.29%	2.24%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)	4.38%	4.65%
EPS Growth (YoY)	-14.69%	2.61%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)	14.17%	-2.60%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both Caterpillar (CAT) at 1.37 and Northrop Grumman (NOC) at 1.17 run current ratio in the tighter-liquidity quartile of industry peers, leaving thinner cushions against current liabilities than typical competitors.

CAT

Capital Goods industry group

1.37

Max: 5.28
Q3: 2.99
Median: 2.09
Q1: 1.45
CAT: 1.37
Min: 0.76

NOC

Capital Goods industry group

1.17

Max: 5.28
Q3: 2.99
Median: 2.09
Q1: 1.45
NOC: 1.17
Min: 0.76

Caterpillar (CAT) vs. Northrop Grumman (NOC): A comparison of their current ratio against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Northrop Grumman (NOC) at 0.95 is near its industry mid-range for debt-to-equity ratio, while Caterpillar (CAT) at 2.33 sits above its benchmark range, pointing to a heavier debt load relative to equity.

CAT

Capital Goods industry group

2.33

CAT: 2.33
Max: 2.15
Q3: 1.09
Median: 0.57
Q1: 0.27
Min: 0.00

NOC

Capital Goods industry group

0.95

Max: 2.15
Q3: 1.09
NOC: 0.95
Median: 0.57
Q1: 0.27
Min: 0.00

Caterpillar (CAT) vs. Northrop Grumman (NOC): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for Caterpillar (CAT) and Northrop Grumman (NOC)
Metric	CAT	NOC
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.37	1.17
Debt / Equity (MRQ)	2.33	0.95
Net Debt / EBITDA	2.41	2.03

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Northrop Grumman (NOC) at 1.81% delivers top-quartile income for its industry, while Caterpillar (CAT) at 0.77% pays a more typical yield — both are credible income propositions, NOC the richer one.

CAT

Capital Goods industry group

0.77%

Max: 2.75%
Q3: 1.11%
CAT: 0.77%
Median: 0.18%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

NOC

Capital Goods industry group

1.81%

Max: 2.75%
NOC: 1.81%
Q3: 1.11%
Median: 0.18%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

Caterpillar (CAT) vs. Northrop Grumman (NOC): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Caterpillar (CAT) at 26.01% pays out a band-typical share of earnings, while Northrop Grumman (NOC) at 29.88% distributes more than its industry norm — less retained, thinner cover.

CAT

Capital Goods industry group

26.01%

Max: 72.00%
Q3: 28.86%
CAT: 26.01%
Median: 6.13%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

NOC

Capital Goods industry group

29.88%

Max: 72.00%
NOC: 29.88%
Q3: 28.86%
Median: 6.13%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

Caterpillar (CAT) vs. Northrop Grumman (NOC): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Caterpillar (CAT) and Northrop Grumman (NOC)
Metric	CAT	NOC
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.77%	1.81%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	26.01%	29.88%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Northrop Grumman (NOC) at 16.50 sits in the cheaper P/E ratio quartile, while Caterpillar (CAT) at 35.21 is closer to its industry’s usual earnings multiple — a discount for NOC, though growth and earnings durability still matter.

CAT

Capital Goods industry group

35.21

Max: 66.10
Q3: 40.43
CAT: 35.21
Median: 29.30
Q1: 21.19
Min: 1.09

NOC

Capital Goods industry group

16.50

Max: 66.10
Q3: 40.43
Median: 29.30
Q1: 21.19
NOC: 16.50
Min: 1.09

Caterpillar (CAT) vs. Northrop Grumman (NOC): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Northrop Grumman (NOC) at 1.72 is priced about in line with its industry on P/S ratio, while Caterpillar (CAT) at 5.04 sits in the pricier quartile — CAT costs more per dollar of sales.

CAT

Capital Goods industry group

5.04

Max: 9.06
CAT: 5.04
Q3: 4.40
Median: 2.41
Q1: 1.19
Min: 0.05

NOC

Capital Goods industry group

1.72

Max: 9.06
Q3: 4.40
Median: 2.41
NOC: 1.72
Q1: 1.19
Min: 0.05

Caterpillar (CAT) vs. Northrop Grumman (NOC): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Northrop Grumman (NOC) at 4.12 sits near its industry’s typical P/B ratio, while Caterpillar (CAT) at 19.40 prices above its benchmark range — CAT looks rich relative to book.

CAT

Capital Goods industry group

19.40

CAT: 19.40
Max: 11.10
Q3: 5.63
Median: 3.31
Q1: 1.94
Min: -3.52

NOC

Capital Goods industry group

4.12

Max: 11.10
Q3: 5.63
NOC: 4.12
Median: 3.31
Q1: 1.94
Min: -3.52

Caterpillar (CAT) vs. Northrop Grumman (NOC): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Caterpillar (CAT) and Northrop Grumman (NOC)
Metric	CAT	NOC
P/E Ratio (TTM)	35.21	16.50
P/S Ratio (TTM)	5.04	1.72
P/B Ratio (MRQ)	19.40	4.12
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)	1.34%	3.36%