Northrop Grumman (NOC) vs Rocket Lab (RKLB)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Rocket Lab (RKLB) has outperformed Northrop Grumman (NOC) over the past year, gaining 4.7% versus a loss of 24.1%. Over five years, RKLB leads with a +434.4% price change compared with +22.5% for NOC. Northrop Grumman is the larger company by market cap ($68.83 billion vs $43.74 billion), about 1.6 times the size, while Rocket Lab is growing revenue faster (+38.0% vs +2.2%).
On valuation, Northrop Grumman trades at a lower forward P/E (15.9x vs 1161.7x for Rocket Lab). Northrop Grumman pays a dividend yielding 1.94%, while Rocket Lab does not currently pay one. Northrop Grumman converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 10.0% versus -32.9%.
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 | NOC | RKLB |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $484.48 | $68.40 |
| Market cap | $68.83B | $43.74B |
| 1-day change | +2.33% | -4.89% |
| YTD return | -15.03% | -1.95% |
| 1-year return | -24.06% | +4.73% |
| 5-year return | +22.54% | +434.38% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 15.40 | — |
| Forward P/E | 15.94 | — |
| EPS (TTM) | $31.46 | $-0.27 |
| Dividend yield | 1.94% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $9.40 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $41.95B | $601.80M |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +2.24% | +37.96% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $4.18B | $-198.21M |
| Gross margin | — | 34.43% |
| Operating margin | 10.75% | -38.03% |
| Net margin | 9.97% | -32.94% |
| 52-week high | $774.00 | $151.00 |
| 52-week low | $470.06 | $37.57 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -37.41% | -54.70% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +30.87% | +59.58% |
| Average volume | 847.39K | 19.30M |
| Shares outstanding | 142.06M | 598.46M |
| Employees | 95,000 | 2,600 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Industrial Machinery/Components | Military/Government/Technical |
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
- RKLB has outperformed NOC by 28.8 percentage points over the past year.
- Northrop Grumman offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.94% vs 0.00%).
- Northrop Grumman is more profitable, keeping 10.0 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -32.9 cents for Rocket Lab.
- Rocket Lab grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+37.96% vs +2.24%).
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
About Rocket Lab
RKLB stock →Rocket Lab Corporation, a space company, provides launch services and space systems solutions in the United States, Canada, Japan, and internationally. The company operates through launch services and space systems segments.
Industrials · Military/Government/Technical · 2,600 employees
NOC vs RKLB FAQ
Which is bigger, Northrop Grumman or Rocket Lab?
Northrop Grumman (NOC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $68.83B compared with $43.74B for Rocket Lab (RKLB).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, NOC or RKLB?
RKLB returned +4.73% over the past 12 months, compared with -24.06% for NOC (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which pays a higher dividend, Northrop Grumman or Rocket Lab?
Northrop Grumman pays a dividend yielding 1.94%, while Rocket Lab does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Northrop Grumman and Rocket Lab in the same industry?
Both are in the Industrials sector, but in different industries: Industrial Machinery/Components for Northrop Grumman and Military/Government/Technical for Rocket Lab.