Axon Enterprise (AXON) 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
Northrop Grumman (NOC) has outperformed Axon Enterprise (AXON) over the past year, losing 23.8% versus a loss of 43.2%. Over five years, AXON leads with a +128.2% price change compared with +19.8% for NOC. Northrop Grumman is the larger company by market cap ($68.63 billion vs $33.65 billion), about 2.0 times the size, while Axon Enterprise is growing revenue faster (+33.5% vs +2.2%).
On valuation, Northrop Grumman trades at a lower forward P/E (15.9x vs 39.3x for Axon Enterprise). Northrop Grumman pays a dividend yielding 1.95%, while Axon Enterprise does not currently pay one. Northrop Grumman converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 10.0% versus 4.5%.
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 | AXON | NOC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $414.18 | $483.13 |
| Market cap | $33.65B | $68.63B |
| 1-day change | +2.01% | +2.04% |
| YTD return | -28.51% | -16.97% |
| 1-year return | -43.18% | -23.84% |
| 5-year return | +128.17% | +19.75% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 171.86 | 15.36 |
| Forward P/E | 39.28 | 15.87 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.41 | $31.46 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 1.95% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $9.40 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $2.78B | $41.95B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +33.47% | +2.24% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $124.66M | $4.18B |
| Gross margin | 59.65% | — |
| Operating margin | -2.23% | 10.75% |
| Net margin | 4.48% | 9.97% |
| 52-week high | $764.02 | $774.00 |
| 52-week low | $339.01 | $470.06 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -45.79% | -37.58% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +70.00% | +31.24% |
| Average volume | 933.38K | 847.39K |
| Shares outstanding | 81.24M | 142.06M |
| Employees | 5,100 | 95,000 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Ordnance And Accessories | 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
- Northrop Grumman is about 2.0 times larger than Axon Enterprise by market value ($68.63B vs $33.65B).
- NOC has outperformed AXON by 19.3 percentage points over the past year.
- Axon Enterprise trades at a higher earnings multiple (171.9x vs 15.4x trailing P/E).
- Northrop Grumman offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.95% vs 0.00%).
- Northrop Grumman is more profitable, keeping 10.0 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 4.5 cents for Axon Enterprise.
- Axon Enterprise grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+33.47% vs +2.24%).
About Axon Enterprise
AXON stock →Axon Enterprise, Inc. provides public safety technology solutions in the United States and internationally.
Industrials · Ordnance And Accessories · 5,100 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
AXON vs NOC FAQ
Which is bigger, Axon Enterprise or Northrop Grumman?
Northrop Grumman (NOC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $68.63B compared with $33.65B for Axon Enterprise (AXON).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AXON or NOC?
NOC returned -23.84% over the past 12 months, compared with -43.18% for AXON (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AXON or NOC?
NOC has the lower trailing P/E at 15.4, versus 171.9 for AXON. 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, Axon Enterprise or Northrop Grumman?
Northrop Grumman pays a dividend yielding 1.95%, while Axon Enterprise does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Axon Enterprise and Northrop Grumman in the same industry?
Both are in the Industrials sector, but in different industries: Ordnance And Accessories for Axon Enterprise and Industrial Machinery/Components for Northrop Grumman.