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NOC vs. SWK: Northrop Grumman vs. Stanley Black & Decker Stock Comparison

How do Northrop Grumman (NOC) and Stanley Black & Decker (SWK) 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

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

Company profile comparison for Northrop Grumman (NOC) and Stanley Black & Decker (SWK)
Profile ItemNOCSWK
NameNorthrop Grumman CorporationStanley Black & Decker Inc.
Country/RegionUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorIndustrialsIndustrials
GICS Industry GroupCapital GoodsCapital Goods
GICS IndustryAerospace & DefenseMachinery
GICS Sub-IndustryAerospace & DefenseIndustrial Machinery & Supplies & Components
Market Capitalization74.59 billion USD17.08 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateDecember 31, 1981March 17, 1980
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

NOC
SWK
GSPC
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Northrop Grumman (NOC) vs. Stanley Black & Decker (SWK), 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 Northrop Grumman (NOC) and Stanley Black & Decker (SWK). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Northrop Grumman (NOC) and Stanley Black & Decker (SWK). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Northrop Grumman (NOC) and Stanley Black & Decker (SWK)
MetricNOCSWK
Total Return (1Y)-3.34%83.07%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)7.23%17.07%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)9.98%-5.19%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

NOC
SWK
GSPC
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Northrop Grumman (NOC) vs. Stanley Black & Decker (SWK), 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 Northrop Grumman (NOC) and Stanley Black & Decker (SWK). 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. Stanley Black & Decker (SWK) has a non-negative beta of 1.10.

Risk profile metrics for Northrop Grumman (NOC) and Stanley Black & Decker (SWK)
MetricNOCSWK
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)28.86%38.68%
Beta (5Y)-0.121.10
Max Drawdown (5Y)-37.80%-68.03%
Avg. Volume (3M)902.47K1.67M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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NOC and SWK 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 Northrop Grumman (NOC) and Stanley Black & Decker (SWK)
MetricNOCSWK
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)-0.262.04
Sortino Ratio (1Y)-0.373.57

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Northrop Grumman (NOC) at 26.07% sits in the top ROE quartile, while Stanley Black & Decker (SWK) at 9.44% is closer to the peer norm — stronger capital efficiency for NOC.

NOC

Capital Goods industry group

26.07%

Max
40.55%
NOC
26.07%
Q3
19.29%
Median
12.12%
Q1
4.08%
Min
-17.12%

SWK

Capital Goods industry group

9.44%

Max
40.55%
Q3
19.29%
Median
12.12%
SWK
9.44%
Q1
4.08%
Min
-17.12%
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Northrop Grumman (NOC) vs. Stanley Black & Decker (SWK): A comparison of their ROE against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Both Northrop Grumman (NOC) at 10.37% and Stanley Black & Decker (SWK) at 5.53% keep about the typical share of revenue as profit for their industries — neither bottom line stands out from peers.

NOC

Capital Goods industry group

10.37%

Max
27.47%
Q3
12.10%
NOC
10.37%
Median
6.30%
Q1
1.40%
Min
-12.89%

SWK

Capital Goods industry group

5.53%

Max
27.47%
Q3
12.10%
Median
6.30%
SWK
5.53%
Q1
1.40%
Min
-12.89%
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Northrop Grumman (NOC) vs. Stanley Black & Decker (SWK): A comparison of their net margin against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both Northrop Grumman (NOC) at 12.91% and Stanley Black & Decker (SWK) at 8.71% run core operations about as efficiently as their industries’ norm — neither stands out on operating profitability.

NOC

Capital Goods industry group

12.91%

Max
36.60%
Q3
18.33%
NOC
12.91%
Median
11.12%
Q1
5.14%
Min
-12.63%

SWK

Capital Goods industry group

8.71%

Max
36.60%
Q3
18.33%
Median
11.12%
SWK
8.71%
Q1
5.14%
Min
-12.63%
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Northrop Grumman (NOC) vs. Stanley Black & Decker (SWK): A comparison of their operating margin against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Northrop Grumman (NOC) and Stanley Black & Decker (SWK)
MetricNOCSWK
ROE (TTM)26.07%9.44%
ROA (TTM)7.11%3.48%
Net Margin (TTM)10.37%5.53%
Operating Margin (TTM)12.91%8.71%
Gross Margin (TTM)20.03%32.16%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Northrop Grumman (NOC) at 2.24% is around its peer norm for revenue growth, while Stanley Black & Decker (SWK) at -1.53% drops into the bottom quartile, signaling weaker demand or pricing momentum.

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Northrop Grumman (NOC) vs. Stanley Black & Decker (SWK): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Stanley Black & Decker (SWK) at 35.90% sits in the top EPS growth quartile, while Northrop Grumman (NOC) at 2.61% is closer to the peer norm — faster per-share earnings growth for SWK.

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Northrop Grumman (NOC) vs. Stanley Black & Decker (SWK): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Northrop Grumman (NOC) and Stanley Black & Decker (SWK)
MetricNOCSWK
Revenue Growth (YoY)2.24%-1.53%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)4.65%-3.71%
EPS Growth (YoY)2.61%35.90%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)-2.60%-26.81%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both Northrop Grumman (NOC) at 1.23 and Stanley Black & Decker (SWK) at 1.42 run current ratio in the tighter-liquidity quartile of industry peers, leaving thinner cushions against current liabilities than typical competitors.

NOC

Capital Goods industry group

1.23

Max
5.22
Q3
2.95
Median
2.08
Q1
1.43
NOC
1.23
Min
0.36

SWK

Capital Goods industry group

1.42

Max
5.22
Q3
2.95
Median
2.08
Q1
1.43
SWK
1.42
Min
0.36
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Northrop Grumman (NOC) vs. Stanley Black & Decker (SWK): A comparison of their current ratio against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Both Northrop Grumman (NOC) at 0.93 and Stanley Black & Decker (SWK) at 0.58 fund their balance sheets with roughly industry-typical debt-to-equity mixes.

NOC

Capital Goods industry group

0.93

Max
2.33
Q3
1.12
NOC
0.93
Median
0.60
Q1
0.29
Min
0.00

SWK

Capital Goods industry group

0.58

Max
2.33
Q3
1.12
Median
0.60
SWK
0.58
Q1
0.29
Min
0.00
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Northrop Grumman (NOC) vs. Stanley Black & Decker (SWK): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for Northrop Grumman (NOC) and Stanley Black & Decker (SWK)
MetricNOCSWK
Current Ratio (MRQ)1.231.42
Debt / Equity (MRQ)0.930.58
Net Debt / EBITDA1.872.69

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Northrop Grumman (NOC) at 1.82% earns its spot in the top quartile of its industry’s yields; Stanley Black & Decker (SWK) at 2.89% is past the top of its own peer range — territory where a dividend-safety check matters more than the headline number.

NOC

Capital Goods industry group

1.82%

Max
2.66%
NOC
1.82%
Q3
1.14%
Median
0.24%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

SWK

Capital Goods industry group

2.89%

SWK
2.89%
Max
2.66%
Q3
1.14%
Median
0.24%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Northrop Grumman (NOC) vs. Stanley Black & Decker (SWK): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Both Northrop Grumman (NOC) at 30.18% and Stanley Black & Decker (SWK) at 59.68% pay out an above-typical share of earnings for their industries, leaving thinner cover if profits dip.

NOC

Capital Goods industry group

30.18%

Max
67.39%
NOC
30.18%
Q3
28.02%
Median
6.86%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

SWK

Capital Goods industry group

59.68%

Max
67.39%
SWK
59.68%
Q3
28.02%
Median
6.86%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Northrop Grumman (NOC) vs. Stanley Black & Decker (SWK): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Northrop Grumman (NOC) and Stanley Black & Decker (SWK)
MetricNOCSWK
Dividend Yield (TTM)1.82%2.89%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)30.18%59.68%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Northrop Grumman (NOC) at 16.57 sits in the cheaper P/E ratio quartile, while Stanley Black & Decker (SWK) at 20.58 is closer to its industry’s usual earnings multiple — a discount for NOC, though growth and earnings durability still matter.

NOC

Capital Goods industry group

16.57

Max
59.38
Q3
35.92
Median
25.41
Q1
19.47
NOC
16.57
Min
3.03

SWK

Capital Goods industry group

20.58

Max
59.38
Q3
35.92
Median
25.41
SWK
20.58
Q1
19.47
Min
3.03
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Northrop Grumman (NOC) vs. Stanley Black & Decker (SWK): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

On P/S ratio, both Northrop Grumman (NOC) at 1.71 and Stanley Black & Decker (SWK) at 1.12 are priced roughly in line with their industries — neither looks cheap nor rich on a sales basis.

NOC

Capital Goods industry group

1.71

Max
7.54
Q3
3.76
Median
2.15
NOC
1.71
Q1
1.03
Min
0.03

SWK

Capital Goods industry group

1.12

Max
7.54
Q3
3.76
Median
2.15
SWK
1.12
Q1
1.03
Min
0.03
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Northrop Grumman (NOC) vs. Stanley Black & Decker (SWK): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

On P/B ratio, both Northrop Grumman (NOC) at 3.99 and Stanley Black & Decker (SWK) at 1.93 are valued close to their industries’ norm against book — neither stands out from peers.

NOC

Capital Goods industry group

3.99

Max
9.66
Q3
5.00
NOC
3.99
Median
3.12
Q1
1.81
Min
-1.08

SWK

Capital Goods industry group

1.93

Max
9.66
Q3
5.00
Median
3.12
SWK
1.93
Q1
1.81
Min
-1.08
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Northrop Grumman (NOC) vs. Stanley Black & Decker (SWK): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Northrop Grumman (NOC) and Stanley Black & Decker (SWK)
MetricNOCSWK
P/E Ratio (TTM)16.5720.58
P/S Ratio (TTM)1.711.12
P/B Ratio (MRQ)3.991.93
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)4.21%11.37%