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

Updated on August 18, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	MMM	NOC
Company Name	3M Company	Northrop Grumman Corporation
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Industrials	Industrials
GICS Industry	Industrial Conglomerates	Aerospace & Defense
Market Capitalization	85.33 billion USD	83.35 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	January 2, 1962	December 31, 1981
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of MMM 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	MMM	NOC
5-Day Price Return	5.58%	-0.90%
13-Week Price Return	6.57%	21.48%
26-Week Price Return	5.17%	24.76%
52-Week Price Return	29.86%	16.03%
Month-to-Date Return	7.36%	0.95%
Year-to-Date Return	24.10%	24.04%
10-Day Avg. Volume	3.24M	0.82M
3-Month Avg. Volume	3.62M	1.00M
3-Month Volatility	25.27%	26.56%
Beta	1.05	0.09

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

MMM

91.40%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 21.93%
Q3: 14.23%
Median: 7.81%
Q1: 5.91%
Min: -3.58%

MMM’s Return on Equity of 91.40% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.

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.

MMM vs. NOC: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

MMM

16.01%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 18.70%
Q3: 12.58%
Median: 9.26%
Q1: 3.87%
Min: -2.26%

A Net Profit Margin of 16.01% places MMM in the upper quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

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.

MMM vs. NOC: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

MMM

19.46%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 25.69%
Q3: 17.03%
Median: 12.85%
Q1: 8.81%
Min: -0.73%

An Operating Profit Margin of 19.46% places MMM in the upper quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

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.

MMM vs. NOC: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	MMM	NOC
Return on Equity (TTM)	91.40%	26.09%
Return on Assets (TTM)	9.93%	8.07%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	16.01%	9.74%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	19.46%	10.39%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	41.11%	19.33%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

MMM

1.72

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 2.19
Q3: 1.64
Median: 1.38
Q1: 1.13
Min: 0.61

MMM’s Current Ratio of 1.72 is in the upper quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.

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.

MMM vs. NOC: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

MMM

3.06

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 2.27
Q3: 1.47
Median: 0.99
Q1: 0.66
Min: 0.21

With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 3.06, MMM operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Industrial Conglomerates industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.

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.

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

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

MMM

-15.31

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 11.17
Q3: 8.02
Median: 5.88
Q1: 2.73
Min: -2.15

MMM has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -15.31. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.

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.

MMM vs. NOC: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	MMM	NOC
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.72	1.04
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.12	0.85
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	3.06	1.02
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	-15.31	9.08

Growth

Revenue Growth

MMM 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

MMM 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)

MMM

1.83%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 10.17%
Q3: 5.53%
Median: 3.14%
Q1: 1.88%
Min: 0.00%

MMM’s Dividend Yield of 1.83% is in the lower quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

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.

MMM vs. NOC: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

MMM

39.27%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 181.91%
Q3: 95.57%
Median: 50.60%
Q1: 35.01%
Min: 1.76%

MMM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 39.27% is within the typical range for the Industrial Conglomerates 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.

MMM vs. NOC: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Aerospace & Defense industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	MMM	NOC
Dividend Yield (TTM)	1.83%	1.49%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	39.27%	31.28%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

MMM

21.41

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 36.98
Q3: 22.09
Median: 12.18
Q1: 8.93
Min: 5.63

MMM’s P/E Ratio of 21.41 is within the middle range for the Industrial Conglomerates 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.

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

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

MMM

3.43

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 3.60
Q3: 2.10
Median: 0.68
Q1: 0.42
Min: 0.11

MMM’s P/S Ratio of 3.43 is in the upper echelon for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.

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.

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

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

MMM

18.90

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 4.89
Q3: 2.51
Median: 1.06
Q1: 0.60
Min: 0.27

At 18.90, MMM’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.

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.

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

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	MMM	NOC
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	21.41	21.05
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	3.43	2.05
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	18.90	4.65
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	31.57	26.54