AMETEK (AME) vs Northrop Grumman (NOC)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
AMETEK (AME) has outperformed Northrop Grumman (NOC) over the past year, gaining 35.1% versus a loss of 24.1%. Over five years, AME leads with a +92.9% price change compared with +19.8% for NOC. Northrop Grumman is the larger company by market cap ($68.83 billion vs $56.75 billion), about 1.2 times the size, while AMETEK is growing revenue faster (+6.6% vs +2.2%).
On valuation, Northrop Grumman trades at a lower forward P/E (15.9x vs 26.0x for AMETEK). Northrop Grumman offers the higher dividend yield (1.94% vs 0.53%). AMETEK converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 20.0% versus 10.0%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | AME | NOC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $247.52 | $484.48 |
| Market cap | $56.75B | $68.83B |
| 1-day change | -0.44% | +2.33% |
| YTD return | +20.56% | -15.03% |
| 1-year return | +35.12% | -24.06% |
| 5-year return | +92.88% | +19.75% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 36.19 | 15.40 |
| Forward P/E | 25.95 | 15.94 |
| EPS (TTM) | $6.84 | $31.46 |
| Dividend yield | 0.53% | 1.94% |
| Annual dividend | $1.30 | $9.40 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $7.40B | $41.95B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +6.63% | +2.24% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.48B | $4.18B |
| Gross margin | 36.04% | — |
| Operating margin | 25.81% | 10.75% |
| Net margin | 20.00% | 9.97% |
| 52-week high | $261.16 | $774.00 |
| 52-week low | $179.24 | $470.06 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -5.22% | -37.41% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +13.24% | +30.87% |
| Average volume | 1.31M | 847.39K |
| Shares outstanding | 229.26M | 142.06M |
| Employees | 22,500 | 95,000 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Industrial Machinery/Components | Industrial Machinery/Components |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- AME has outperformed NOC by 59.2 percentage points over the past year.
- AMETEK trades at a higher earnings multiple (36.2x vs 15.4x trailing P/E).
- Northrop Grumman offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.94% vs 0.53%).
- AMETEK is more profitable, keeping 20.0 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 10.0 cents for Northrop Grumman.
About AMETEK
AME stock →AMETEK, Inc. manufactures and sells electronic instruments (EIG) and electromechanical (EMG) devices in the United States and internationally.
Industrials · Industrial Machinery/Components · 22,500 employees
About Northrop Grumman
NOC stock →Northrop Grumman Corporation operates as an aerospace and defense technology company in the United States, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Aeronautics Systems, Defense Systems, Mission Systems and Space Systems.
Industrials · Industrial Machinery/Components · 95,000 employees
AME vs NOC FAQ
Which is bigger, AMETEK or Northrop Grumman?
Northrop Grumman (NOC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $68.83B compared with $56.75B for AMETEK (AME).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AME or NOC?
AME returned +35.12% over the past 12 months, compared with -24.06% for NOC (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AME or NOC?
NOC has the lower trailing P/E at 15.4, versus 36.2 for AME. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, AMETEK or Northrop Grumman?
Northrop Grumman has the higher yield at 1.94%, compared with 0.53% for AMETEK.
Are AMETEK and Northrop Grumman in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Machinery/Components industry within the Industrials sector.