NOC vs. RKLB: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at NOC and RKLB, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | NOC | RKLB |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Northrop Grumman Corporation | Rocket Lab Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Aerospace & Defense | Aerospace & Defense |
| Market Capitalization | 84.01 billion USD | 22.78 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqCM |
| Listing Date | December 31, 1981 | November 24, 2020 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of NOC and RKLB 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | NOC | RKLB |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.09% | 15.40% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 24.08% | 82.88% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 35.37% | 82.11% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 15.13% | 590.35% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 1.76% | 2.83% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 25.03% | 85.39% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.63M | 19.77M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.94M | 20.77M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 24.92% | 74.57% |
| Beta | 0.09 | 2.20 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
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.
RKLB
-48.14%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 43.89%
- Q3
- 22.42%
- Median
- 12.50%
- Q1
- 5.21%
- Min
- -6.24%
RKLB has a negative Return on Equity of -48.14%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
RKLB
-45.87%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 14.54%
- Q3
- 8.08%
- Median
- 6.17%
- Q1
- 2.49%
- Min
- -1.63%
RKLB has a negative Net Profit Margin of -45.87%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
RKLB
-44.08%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 16.63%
- Q3
- 10.38%
- Median
- 8.29%
- Q1
- 6.21%
- Min
- 0.95%
RKLB has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -44.08%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | NOC | RKLB |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 26.09% | -48.14% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 8.07% | -17.98% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 9.74% | -45.87% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 10.39% | -44.08% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 19.33% | 29.04% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
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.
RKLB
2.67
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 3.09
- Q3
- 1.98
- Median
- 1.23
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.02
RKLB’s Current Ratio of 2.67 is in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
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.
RKLB
0.63
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 1.70
- Q3
- 1.04
- Median
- 0.68
- Q1
- 0.41
- Min
- 0.00
RKLB’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.63 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.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
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.
RKLB
-45.87
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 36.57
- Q3
- 19.90
- Median
- 7.04
- Q1
- 2.40
- Min
- -7.63
RKLB has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -45.87. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | NOC | RKLB |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.04 | 2.67 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.85 | 2.21 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.02 | 0.63 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 9.08 | -45.87 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
NOC
1.46%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 2.03%
- Q3
- 1.22%
- Median
- 0.43%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 1.46%, NOC offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Aerospace & Defense industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
RKLB
0.00%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 2.03%
- Q3
- 1.22%
- Median
- 0.43%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
RKLB currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
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.
RKLB
0.00%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 83.87%
- Q3
- 49.90%
- Median
- 16.48%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
RKLB has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | NOC | RKLB |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.46% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 31.28% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
NOC
21.37
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 21.37 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
RKLB
--
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 65.97
- Q3
- 54.11
- Median
- 34.53
- Q1
- 23.66
- Min
- 0.00
P/E Ratio data for RKLB is currently unavailable.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
NOC
2.08
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 8.07
- Q3
- 4.49
- Median
- 2.42
- Q1
- 1.39
- Min
- 0.00
NOC’s P/S Ratio of 2.08 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.
RKLB
38.93
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 8.07
- Q3
- 4.49
- Median
- 2.42
- Q1
- 1.39
- Min
- 0.00
With a P/S Ratio of 38.93, RKLB trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Aerospace & Defense industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
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.
RKLB
23.97
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 13.67
- Q3
- 7.92
- Median
- 4.65
- Q1
- 2.68
- Min
- 0.82
At 23.97, RKLB’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Aerospace & Defense 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | NOC | RKLB |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 21.37 | -- |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.08 | 38.93 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 4.65 | 23.97 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 26.94 | -- |