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

Updated on August 18, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	NOC	XPO
Company Name	Northrop Grumman Corporation	XPO, Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Industrials	Industrials
GICS Industry	Aerospace & Defense	Ground Transportation
Market Capitalization	83.35 billion USD	15.35 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	December 31, 1981	October 7, 2003
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of NOC and XPO 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. XPO: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	NOC	XPO
5-Day Price Return	-0.90%	8.25%
13-Week Price Return	21.48%	3.00%
26-Week Price Return	24.76%	-11.30%
52-Week Price Return	16.03%	15.75%
Month-to-Date Return	0.95%	8.33%
Year-to-Date Return	24.04%	-0.64%
10-Day Avg. Volume	0.82M	1.41M
3-Month Avg. Volume	1.00M	1.60M
3-Month Volatility	26.56%	44.40%
Beta	0.09	2.04

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.

XPO

20.71%

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 22.11%
Q3: 13.84%
Median: 9.66%
Q1: 7.55%
Min: 0.36%

In the upper quartile for the Ground Transportation industry, XPO’s Return on Equity of 20.71% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

NOC vs. XPO: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Ground Transportation 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.

XPO

4.31%

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 32.20%
Q3: 18.59%
Median: 7.11%
Q1: 4.13%
Min: -10.38%

XPO’s Net Profit Margin of 4.31% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Ground Transportation industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

NOC vs. XPO: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Ground Transportation 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.

XPO

8.35%

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 41.31%
Q3: 23.16%
Median: 11.33%
Q1: 6.82%
Min: -12.08%

XPO’s Operating Profit Margin of 8.35% is around the midpoint for the Ground Transportation industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

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

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	NOC	XPO
Return on Equity (TTM)	26.09%	20.71%
Return on Assets (TTM)	8.07%	4.36%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	9.74%	4.31%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	10.39%	8.35%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	19.33%	59.99%

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.

XPO

1.02

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 2.03
Q3: 1.26
Median: 0.89
Q1: 0.73
Min: 0.38

XPO’s Current Ratio of 1.02 aligns with the median group of the Ground Transportation industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

NOC vs. XPO: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Ground Transportation 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.

XPO

1.91

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 2.51
Q3: 1.51
Median: 1.06
Q1: 0.47
Min: 0.00

XPO’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Ground Transportation industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.91. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.

NOC vs. XPO: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Ground Transportation 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.

XPO

3.12

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 51.07
Q3: 22.54
Median: 7.94
Q1: 2.72
Min: -24.57

XPO’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.12 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Ground Transportation industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	NOC	XPO
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.04	1.02
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.85	1.02
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	1.02	1.91
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	9.08	3.12

Growth

Revenue Growth

NOC vs. XPO: 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. XPO: 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

1.49%

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.

XPO

0.00%

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 5.44%
Q3: 2.49%
Median: 1.53%
Q1: 0.39%
Min: 0.00%

XPO 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.

NOC vs. XPO: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Ground Transportation 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.

XPO

0.00%

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 137.07%
Q3: 74.71%
Median: 41.16%
Q1: 15.12%
Min: 0.00%

XPO 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.

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

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	NOC	XPO
Dividend Yield (TTM)	1.49%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	31.28%	0.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

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.

XPO

41.08

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 42.59
Q3: 24.86
Median: 16.38
Q1: 12.79
Min: 4.37

A P/E Ratio of 41.08 places XPO in the upper quartile for the Ground Transportation industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

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

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

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.

XPO

1.77

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 4.02
Q3: 2.20
Median: 1.23
Q1: 0.87
Min: 0.22

XPO’s P/S Ratio of 1.77 aligns with the market consensus for the Ground Transportation industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

NOC vs. XPO: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Ground Transportation 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.

XPO

8.35

Ground Transportation Industry

Max: 4.95
Q3: 2.78
Median: 1.38
Q1: 1.17
Min: 0.64

At 8.35, XPO’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Ground Transportation 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 vs. XPO: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Ground Transportation industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	NOC	XPO
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	21.05	41.08
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	2.05	1.77
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	4.65	8.35
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	26.54	67.48