Northrop Grumman Corp
Q1 2026 Earnings
Market Reaction
S&P 500 over the same 30 days: +5.49%.
Did NOC Beat Earnings? Q1 2026 Results
Northrop Grumman opened 2026 on solid footing, posting first-quarter earnings per share of $6.14 against a consensus estimate of $6.06, a beat of 1.28%, while revenue of $9.88 billion topped the $9.76 billion consensus by the same margin and grew 4.4% year over year. The headline driver was a dramatic swing in Aeronautics Systems, which moved from an operating loss of $183 million a year ago to operating income of $305 million, fueled by the absence of the $477 million B-21 loss provision that had weighed heavily on Q1 2025 results, along with 17% sales growth tied to B-21 production expansion and E-130J TACAMO ramp-up. Mission Systems also contributed meaningfully, with its operating margin climbing to 15.1% from 12.9%. With $95.61 billion in backlog and fresh agreements with the U.S. Air Force to expand B-21 production capacity, the company reaffirmed full-year 2026 guidance, including sales of $43.50 billion to $44.00 billion and MTM-adjusted EPS of $27.40 to $27.90, reflecting confidence in sustained demand across its defense portfolio.
- Absence of prior year $477 million B-21 loss provision drove significant operating income improvement
- Higher B-21 and restricted program sales at Aeronautics Systems
- Higher net EAC adjustments at Mission Systems boosted margin to 15.1%
- Sentinel program ramp driving Defense Systems organic growth of 10%
- Lower effective tax rate of 15.0% due to higher research credits and Corporate AMT guidance
“Northrop Grumman delivered strong first quarter results, with continued robust bookings, mid-single-digit organic sales growth, and solid operating performance, underscoring our ability to deliver in today's unprecedented global demand environment.”
Northrop Grumman CEO, on the earnings call
Forward Guidance & Outlook
Northrop Grumman reaffirmed its full-year 2026 guidance: sales of $43,500–$44,000 million, segment operating income of $4,850–$5,000 million, MTM-adjusted EPS of $27.40–$27.90, and free cash flow of $3,100–$3,500 million. Segment-level guidance includes Aeronautics Systems sales in the mid-$13 billion range with low-to-mid 9% operating margin, Defense Systems in the mid-to-high $8 billion range with ~10% margin, Mission Systems in the high $12 billion range with high 14% margin, and Space Systems at ~$11 billion with ~11% margin. Guidance does not assume a prolonged government shutdown or application of spending limits.
NOC YoY Financials
NOC Revenue by Segment
Figures from SEC filings and company reports. Not investment advice.