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

Updated on August 23, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	NOC	ROP
Company Name	Northrop Grumman Corporation	Roper Technologies, Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Industrials	Information Technology
GICS Industry	Aerospace & Defense	Software
Market Capitalization	84.84 billion USD	58.17 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NasdaqGS
Listing Date	December 31, 1981	February 13, 1992
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of NOC and ROP 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	NOC	ROP
5-Day Price Return	1.51%	2.96%
13-Week Price Return	25.77%	-6.88%
26-Week Price Return	30.21%	-5.74%
52-Week Price Return	17.36%	-1.70%
Month-to-Date Return	2.76%	-1.80%
Year-to-Date Return	26.26%	3.98%
10-Day Avg. Volume	0.67M	0.77M
3-Month Avg. Volume	0.95M	0.58M
3-Month Volatility	24.83%	14.57%
Beta	0.09	1.03

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.

ROP

8.08%

Software Industry

Max: 59.01%
Q3: 21.98%
Median: 7.15%
Q1: -11.12%
Min: -51.24%

ROP’s Return on Equity of 8.08% is on par with the norm for the Software industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

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

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.

ROP

20.62%

Software Industry

Max: 48.14%
Q3: 18.23%
Median: 5.60%
Q1: -9.22%
Min: -49.36%

A Net Profit Margin of 20.62% places ROP in the upper quartile for the Software industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

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

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.

ROP

28.06%

Software Industry

Max: 57.34%
Q3: 20.60%
Median: 7.84%
Q1: -8.72%
Min: -51.37%

An Operating Profit Margin of 28.06% places ROP in the upper quartile for the Software industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

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

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	NOC	ROP
Return on Equity (TTM)	26.09%	8.08%
Return on Assets (TTM)	8.07%	4.83%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	9.74%	20.62%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	10.39%	28.06%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	19.33%	68.87%

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.

ROP

0.46

Software Industry

Max: 3.83
Q3: 2.31
Median: 1.45
Q1: 1.03
Min: 0.24

ROP’s Current Ratio of 0.46 falls into the lower quartile for the Software industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

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

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.

ROP

0.45

Software Industry

Max: 2.14
Q3: 0.90
Median: 0.29
Q1: 0.00
Min: 0.00

ROP’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.45 is typical for the Software industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

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

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.

ROP

80.97

Software Industry

Max: 67.02
Q3: 19.86
Median: 0.70
Q1: -12.50
Min: -53.00

With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 80.97, ROP demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Software industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	NOC	ROP
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.04	0.46
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.85	0.43
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	1.02	0.45
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	9.08	80.97

Growth

Revenue Growth

NOC vs. ROP: 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

NOC vs. ROP: 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)

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.

ROP

0.58%

Software Industry

Max: 0.08%
Q3: 0.03%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

ROP’s Dividend Yield of 0.58% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Software industry. While this may seem attractive, an unusually high yield can sometimes be a warning sign, reflecting a falling stock price or market concerns about the dividend’s sustainability.

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

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.

ROP

21.99%

Software Industry

Max: 1.32%
Q3: 0.53%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

At 21.99%, ROP’s Dividend Payout Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical range for the Software industry. While this provides a significant return to shareholders, it may limit funds for reinvestment and could be difficult to sustain.

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

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	NOC	ROP
Dividend Yield (TTM)	1.46%	0.58%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	31.28%	21.99%

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.

ROP

37.65

Software Industry

Max: 149.35
Q3: 100.21
Median: 47.97
Q1: 26.77
Min: 11.68

ROP’s P/E Ratio of 37.65 is within the middle range for the Software 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 vs. ROP: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Software industry benchmarks.

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.

ROP

7.76

Software Industry

Max: 25.24
Q3: 13.52
Median: 8.15
Q1: 4.87
Min: 0.98

ROP’s P/S Ratio of 7.76 aligns with the market consensus for the Software industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

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

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.

ROP

3.10

Software Industry

Max: 30.95
Q3: 14.91
Median: 7.75
Q1: 3.60
Min: 0.38

ROP’s P/B Ratio of 3.10 is in the lower quartile for the Software industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.

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

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	NOC	ROP
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	21.37	37.65
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	2.08	7.76
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	4.65	3.10
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	26.94	25.39