Northrop Grumman stock gains 1.57 percent after Navy selection

Published on 10/06/2026 at 18:05 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

Northrop Grumman stock posted Q2 sales of USD 10.88 billion, up 5.1 percent year over year. Adjusted EPS reached USD 7.68 against USD 6.82 consensus.

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Northrop Grumman stock was trading at USD 483.58 on the NYSE on October 6, 2026, up 1.57 percent from the previous close of USD 476.11. The move followed a new Navy platform update, as SatNews reported on October 6 that Northrop Grumman selected ThinKom's ThinAir SATCOM antenna system for the U.S. Navy's E-130J Phoenix II aircraft.

Navy platform adds a fresh order signal

The E-130J is being developed for the Navy's Take Charge and Move Out strategic communications mission. The selected system provides multi-band, multi-orbit satellite connectivity for an aircraft platform designed to maintain command-and-control links in difficult operating environments.

The announcement adds a program detail to Northrop Grumman's wider defense backlog story, but it does not disclose a contract value or expected revenue contribution. For investors, the near-term test remains execution on existing programs rather than the size of this individual selection.

Revenue grows while margins tighten

Northrop Grumman generated USD 10.88 billion in Q2 2026 revenue, up 5.1 percent from USD 10.35 billion a year earlier, according to MarketBeat on October 2. Diluted EPS was USD 7.68, USD 0.86 above the USD 6.82 consensus, while the prior-year figure was USD 8.15.

The same Q2 comparison shows the tension behind the stock's earlier weakness: operating income fell 23 percent to USD 1.10 billion, and operating margin declined to 10.1 percent from 13.8 percent. Northrop Grumman's cash flow from operations was USD 1.28 billion for the quarter, according to the company's standardized Q2 2026 financial statement.

Analysts keep a higher target

MarketBeat reported on September 22 that 21 analysts held a Moderate Buy consensus, with 11 buys, eight holds and two strong buys. The average 12-month target was USD 659.86, which lies 36.5 percent above the USD 483.58 trading price.

RBC Capital Markets took a more cautious view on October 2, according to Investing.com. The firm downgraded Northrop Grumman from Outperform to Sector Perform and cut its price target from USD 640 to USD 525, citing a best-case annual revenue growth rate of 6 percent through 2028.

Stock trades near its yearly low

Northrop Grumman's October 6 trading range was USD 474.00 to USD 484.12, with volume of 412,423 shares at 12:04 p.m. ET. The 52-week range was USD 470.06 to USD 774.00, leaving the stock 37.5 percent below its yearly high.

Northrop Grumman had a market capitalization of USD 68.7 billion as of October 6, 2026. The company is scheduled to publish third-quarter 2026 results on October 20, 2026, before the market opens, according to Northrop Grumman investor relations.