DAL vs. NOC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 21, 2025

Here’s a clear look at DAL and NOC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Symbol	DAL	NOC
Company Name	Delta Air Lines, Inc.	Northrop Grumman Corporation
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Industrials	Industrials
GICS Industry	Passenger Airlines	Aerospace & Defense
Market Capitalization	38.80 billion USD	83.35 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	May 3, 2007	December 31, 1981
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of DAL and NOC by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

DAL vs. NOC: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	DAL	NOC
5-Day Price Return	10.80%	-0.90%
13-Week Price Return	16.19%	21.48%
26-Week Price Return	-12.51%	24.76%
52-Week Price Return	52.12%	16.03%
Month-to-Date Return	11.67%	0.95%
Year-to-Date Return	-1.79%	24.04%
10-Day Avg. Volume	7.91M	0.82M
3-Month Avg. Volume	11.14M	1.00M
3-Month Volatility	45.84%	26.56%
Beta	1.55	0.09

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

DAL

29.02%

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 49.96%
Q3: 28.15%
Median: 15.41%
Q1: 8.29%
Min: -11.01%

In the upper quartile for the Passenger Airlines industry, DAL’s Return on Equity of 29.02% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

NOC

26.09%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 43.89%
Q3: 22.42%
Median: 12.50%
Q1: 5.21%
Min: -6.24%

In the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, NOC’s Return on Equity of 26.09% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

DAL vs. NOC: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

DAL

7.24%

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 17.65%
Q3: 8.90%
Median: 5.80%
Q1: 2.02%
Min: -3.12%

DAL’s Net Profit Margin of 7.24% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Passenger Airlines industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

NOC

9.74%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 14.54%
Q3: 8.08%
Median: 6.17%
Q1: 2.49%
Min: -1.63%

A Net Profit Margin of 9.74% places NOC in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

DAL vs. NOC: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

DAL

9.30%

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 22.47%
Q3: 12.33%
Median: 8.62%
Q1: 4.43%
Min: -2.88%

DAL’s Operating Profit Margin of 9.30% is around the midpoint for the Passenger Airlines industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

NOC

10.39%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 16.63%
Q3: 10.38%
Median: 8.29%
Q1: 6.21%
Min: 0.95%

An Operating Profit Margin of 10.39% places NOC in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

DAL vs. NOC: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	DAL	NOC
Return on Equity (TTM)	29.02%	26.09%
Return on Assets (TTM)	5.85%	8.07%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	7.24%	9.74%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	9.30%	10.39%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	50.92%	19.33%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

DAL

0.38

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 1.46
Q3: 0.94
Median: 0.76
Q1: 0.54
Min: 0.17

DAL’s Current Ratio of 0.38 falls into the lower quartile for the Passenger Airlines industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

NOC

1.04

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 3.09
Q3: 1.98
Median: 1.23
Q1: 1.03
Min: 0.02

NOC’s Current Ratio of 1.04 aligns with the median group of the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

DAL vs. NOC: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

DAL

0.86

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 9.80
Q3: 4.82
Median: 1.30
Q1: 0.89
Min: 0.00

Falling into the lower quartile for the Passenger Airlines industry, DAL’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.86 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.

NOC

1.02

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 1.70
Q3: 1.04
Median: 0.68
Q1: 0.41
Min: 0.00

NOC’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.02 is typical for the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

DAL vs. NOC: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

DAL

5.37

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 22.60
Q3: 16.29
Median: 6.75
Q1: 1.94
Min: -8.55

DAL’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.37 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Passenger Airlines industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

NOC

9.08

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 36.57
Q3: 19.90
Median: 7.04
Q1: 2.40
Min: -7.63

NOC’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 9.08 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

DAL vs. NOC: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	DAL	NOC
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.38	1.04
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.25	0.85
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.86	1.02
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	5.37	9.08

Growth

Revenue Growth

DAL vs. NOC: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

DAL vs. NOC: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

DAL

1.02%

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 6.71%
Q3: 3.95%
Median: 1.10%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

DAL’s Dividend Yield of 1.02% is consistent with its peers in the Passenger Airlines industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

NOC

1.49%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 2.03%
Q3: 1.22%
Median: 0.43%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

With a Dividend Yield of 1.49%, NOC offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Aerospace & Defense industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.

DAL vs. NOC: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

DAL

8.67%

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 71.59%
Q3: 38.54%
Median: 8.16%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

DAL’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 8.67% is within the typical range for the Passenger Airlines industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

NOC

31.28%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 83.87%
Q3: 49.90%
Median: 16.48%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

NOC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 31.28% is within the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

DAL vs. NOC: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	DAL	NOC
Dividend Yield (TTM)	1.02%	1.49%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	8.67%	31.28%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

DAL

8.52

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 13.29
Q3: 11.94
Median: 8.78
Q1: 7.42
Min: 3.07

DAL’s P/E Ratio of 8.52 is within the middle range for the Passenger Airlines industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

NOC

21.05

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 65.97
Q3: 54.11
Median: 34.53
Q1: 23.66
Min: 0.00

In the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, NOC’s P/E Ratio of 21.05 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

DAL vs. NOC: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

DAL

0.62

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 1.09
Q3: 0.74
Median: 0.61
Q1: 0.44
Min: 0.09

DAL’s P/S Ratio of 0.62 aligns with the market consensus for the Passenger Airlines industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

NOC

2.05

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 8.07
Q3: 4.49
Median: 2.42
Q1: 1.39
Min: 0.00

NOC’s P/S Ratio of 2.05 aligns with the market consensus for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

DAL vs. NOC: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

DAL

1.84

Passenger Airlines Industry

Max: 3.44
Q3: 2.89
Median: 1.84
Q1: 1.22
Min: 0.56

DAL’s P/B Ratio of 1.84 is within the conventional range for the Passenger Airlines industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

NOC

4.65

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 13.67
Q3: 7.92
Median: 4.65
Q1: 2.68
Min: 0.82

NOC’s P/B Ratio of 4.65 is within the conventional range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

DAL vs. NOC: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Passenger Airlines and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	DAL	NOC
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	8.52	21.05
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	0.62	2.05
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	1.84	4.65
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	16.01	26.54