GE Aerospace (GE) vs Northrop Grumman (NOC)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
GE Aerospace (GE) has outperformed Northrop Grumman (NOC) over the past year, gaining 0.6% versus a loss of 23.8%. Over five years, GE leads with a +369.1% price change compared with +19.8% for NOC. GE Aerospace is the larger company by market cap ($315.02 billion vs $67.26 billion), about 4.7 times the size.
On valuation, Northrop Grumman trades at a lower forward P/E (15.5x vs 33.4x for GE Aerospace). Northrop Grumman offers the higher dividend yield (1.99% vs 0.55%). GE Aerospace converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 19.0% 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 | GE | NOC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $303.62 | $473.46 |
| Market cap | $315.02B | $67.26B |
| 1-day change | -1.86% | -2.00% |
| YTD return | -1.43% | -16.97% |
| 1-year return | +0.62% | -23.84% |
| 5-year return | +369.09% | +19.75% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 35.80 | 15.05 |
| Forward P/E | 33.36 | 15.55 |
| EPS (TTM) | $8.48 | $31.46 |
| Dividend yield | 0.55% | 1.99% |
| Annual dividend | $1.66 | $9.40 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $45.85B | $41.95B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +18.48% | +2.24% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $8.70B | $4.18B |
| Operating margin | — | 10.75% |
| Net margin | 18.98% | 9.97% |
| 52-week high | $388.84 | $774.00 |
| 52-week low | $268.91 | $470.06 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -21.92% | -38.83% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +29.99% | +33.92% |
| Average volume | 3.95M | 851.13K |
| Shares outstanding | 1.04B | 142.06M |
| Employees | 57,000 | 95,000 |
| Sector | Technology | Industrials |
| Industry | Consumer Electronics/Appliances | 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
- GE Aerospace is about 4.7 times larger than Northrop Grumman by market value ($315.02B vs $67.26B).
- GE has outperformed NOC by 24.5 percentage points over the past year.
- GE Aerospace trades at a higher earnings multiple (35.8x vs 15.0x trailing P/E).
- Northrop Grumman offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.99% vs 0.55%).
- GE Aerospace is more profitable, keeping 19.0 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 10.0 cents for Northrop Grumman.
- GE Aerospace grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+18.48% vs +2.24%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: GE Aerospace in Technology and Northrop Grumman in Industrials.
About GE Aerospace
GE stock →General Electric Company, doing business as GE Aerospace, designs and produces commercial and defense aircraft engines, integrated engine components, electric power, and aircraft systems. The company operates through two segments, Commercial Engines & Services, and Defense & Propulsion Technologies.
Technology · Consumer Electronics/Appliances · 57,000 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
GE vs NOC FAQ
Which is bigger, GE Aerospace or Northrop Grumman?
GE Aerospace (GE) is larger, with a market capitalization of $315.02B compared with $67.26B for Northrop Grumman (NOC).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, GE or NOC?
GE returned +0.62% over the past 12 months, compared with -23.84% for NOC (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, GE or NOC?
NOC has the lower trailing P/E at 15.0, versus 35.8 for GE. 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, GE Aerospace or Northrop Grumman?
Northrop Grumman has the higher yield at 1.99%, compared with 0.55% for GE Aerospace.
Are GE Aerospace and Northrop Grumman in the same industry?
No. GE Aerospace is in the Technology sector, while Northrop Grumman is in Industrials.