Northrop Grumman (NOC) vs Rockwell Automation (ROK)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Rockwell Automation (ROK) has outperformed Northrop Grumman (NOC) over the past year, gaining 28.4% versus a loss of 23.8%. Over five years, ROK leads with a +40.6% price change compared with +19.8% for NOC. Northrop Grumman is the larger company by market cap ($67.26 billion vs $49.17 billion), about 1.4 times the size.
On valuation, Northrop Grumman trades at a lower forward P/E (15.5x vs 29.6x for Rockwell Automation). Northrop Grumman offers the higher dividend yield (1.99% vs 1.23%). Rockwell Automation converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 10.4% 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 | NOC | ROK |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $473.46 | $441.90 |
| Market cap | $67.26B | $49.17B |
| 1-day change | -2.00% | -1.96% |
| YTD return | -16.97% | +13.58% |
| 1-year return | -23.84% | +28.38% |
| 5-year return | +19.75% | +40.64% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 15.05 | 41.38 |
| Forward P/E | 15.55 | 29.63 |
| EPS (TTM) | $31.46 | $10.68 |
| Dividend yield | 1.99% | 1.23% |
| Annual dividend | $9.40 | $5.45 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $41.95B | $8.34B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +2.24% | +0.94% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $4.18B | $869.00M |
| Gross margin | — | 48.14% |
| Operating margin | 10.75% | 20.41% |
| Net margin | 9.97% | 10.42% |
| 52-week high | $774.00 | $497.36 |
| 52-week low | $470.06 | $332.71 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -38.83% | -11.15% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +33.92% | +7.97% |
| Average volume | 847.39K | 746.16K |
| Shares outstanding | 142.06M | 111.27M |
| Employees | 95,000 | 26,000 |
| 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
- ROK has outperformed NOC by 52.2 percentage points over the past year.
- Rockwell Automation trades at a higher earnings multiple (41.4x vs 15.0x trailing P/E).
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 Rockwell Automation
ROK stock →Rockwell Automation, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides industrial automation and digital transformation solutions in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Latin America. It operates in three segments: Intelligent Devices, Software & Control, and Lifecycle Services.
Industrials · Industrial Machinery/Components · 26,000 employees
NOC vs ROK FAQ
Which is bigger, Northrop Grumman or Rockwell Automation?
Northrop Grumman (NOC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $67.26B compared with $49.17B for Rockwell Automation (ROK).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, NOC or ROK?
ROK returned +28.38% 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, NOC or ROK?
NOC has the lower trailing P/E at 15.0, versus 41.4 for ROK. 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, Northrop Grumman or Rockwell Automation?
Northrop Grumman has the higher yield at 1.99%, compared with 1.23% for Rockwell Automation.
Are Northrop Grumman and Rockwell Automation in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Machinery/Components industry within the Industrials sector.