We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience.
This includes personalizing content and advertising.
By pressing "Accept All" or closing out of this banner, you consent to the use of all cookies and similar technologies and the sharing of information they collect with third parties.
You can reject marketing cookies by pressing "Deny Optional," but we still use essential, performance, and functional cookies.
In addition, whether you "Accept All," Deny Optional," click the X or otherwise continue to use the site, you accept our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, revised from time to time.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Northrop Grumman to Post Q1 Earnings: What's in Store for the Stock?
Read MoreHide Full Article
Key Takeaways
Northrop Grumman is set to report Q1 results, with estimates pointing to modest earnings and revenue growth.
NOC benefits from strong backlog, rising defense spending, and ramp-up in missile and radar programs.
B-21 Raider cost overruns and higher expenses may pressure margins despite solid segment execution.
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC - Free Report) is scheduled to release first-quarter 2026 results on April 21, before market open. The company delivered an earnings surprise of 3.3% in the last reported quarter.
Let’s discuss the factors that are likely to be reflected in the upcoming quarterly results.
Key Factors Likely to Influence NOC’s Q1 Results
Northrop Grumman’s first-quarter results are likely to reflect solid execution across all its business segments. A key positive remains the company’s robust backlog, which offers strong visibility into near-term revenue streams. Ongoing global geopolitical tensions continue to support elevated defense spending. Northrop Grumman’s portfolio — spanning strategic aircraft, radar systems, and missiles— aligns closely with current military priorities. This alignment is expected to have sustained order momentum and supported high utilization levels in the to-be-reported quarter.
The company’s top line is likely to have benefited from the ramp-up of major programs, particularly in missile systems, airborne radar, and strategic modernization efforts. These programs are transitioning into higher production phases, which typically boosts revenues.
However, the B-21 Raider program might have offset some of the positives. Profitability has already been negatively impacted by previous cost overruns in this massive, fixed-price development and production effort. The bottom line might have suffered if further cost increases or adverse adjustments take place during the first quarter.
Higher corporate unallocated expenses and the federal tax rate are expected to have offset some of the positives in the quarter.
NOC’s Q1 Expectations
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at $6.08 per share, indicating a year-over-year increase of 0.3%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pinned at $9.84 billion, implying a year-over-year improvement of 4%.
What the Zacks Model Unveils
Our proven model predicts an earnings beat for Northrop Grumman this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat, which is the case here, as you will see below.
Northrop Grumman Corporation Price and EPS Surprise
Earnings ESP: The company’s Earnings ESP is +0.22%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Investors may also consider the following players from the same industry as these, too, have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this reporting cycle.
RTX Corporation (RTX - Free Report) is likely to come up with an earnings beat when it announces first-quarter results on April 21, before market open. It has an Earnings ESP of +1.68% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present.
The consensus estimate for RTX’s first-quarter sales suggests an improvement of 6.2% from the year-ago quarter’s reported numbers. The company delivered an average earnings surprise of 10.6% for the trailing four quarters.
GE Aerospace (GE - Free Report) is likely to come up with an earnings beat when it announces first-quarter results on April 21, before market open. It has an Earnings ESP of +0.79% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present.
The consensus estimate for GE’s first-quarter sales suggests an improvement of 17.9% from the year-ago quarter’s reported numbers. The company delivered an average earnings surprise of 14.3% for the trailing four quarters.
L3Harris Technologies (LHX - Free Report) is expected to come up with an earnings beat when it reports first-quarter results on April 30, before market open. It has an Earnings ESP of +0.49% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present.
The consensus estimate for LHX’s first-quarter sales implies an improvement of 5.1% from the year-ago quarter’s level. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pinned at $2.56 per share, indicating year-over-year growth of 6.2%.
Zacks' 7 Best Strong Buy Stocks (New Research Report)
Valued at $99, click below to receive our just-released report
predicting the 7 stocks that will soar highest in the coming month.
View the Zacks #1 Rank List
Image: Bigstock
Northrop Grumman to Post Q1 Earnings: What's in Store for the Stock?
Key Takeaways
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC - Free Report) is scheduled to release first-quarter 2026 results on April 21, before market open. The company delivered an earnings surprise of 3.3% in the last reported quarter.
Let’s discuss the factors that are likely to be reflected in the upcoming quarterly results.
Key Factors Likely to Influence NOC’s Q1 Results
Northrop Grumman’s first-quarter results are likely to reflect solid execution across all its business segments. A key positive remains the company’s robust backlog, which offers strong visibility into near-term revenue streams. Ongoing global geopolitical tensions continue to support elevated defense spending. Northrop Grumman’s portfolio — spanning strategic aircraft, radar systems, and missiles— aligns closely with current military priorities. This alignment is expected to have sustained order momentum and supported high utilization levels in the to-be-reported quarter.
The company’s top line is likely to have benefited from the ramp-up of major programs, particularly in missile systems, airborne radar, and strategic modernization efforts. These programs are transitioning into higher production phases, which typically boosts revenues.
However, the B-21 Raider program might have offset some of the positives. Profitability has already been negatively impacted by previous cost overruns in this massive, fixed-price development and production effort. The bottom line might have suffered if further cost increases or adverse adjustments take place during the first quarter.
Higher corporate unallocated expenses and the federal tax rate are expected to have offset some of the positives in the quarter.
NOC’s Q1 Expectations
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at $6.08 per share, indicating a year-over-year increase of 0.3%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pinned at $9.84 billion, implying a year-over-year improvement of 4%.
What the Zacks Model Unveils
Our proven model predicts an earnings beat for Northrop Grumman this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat, which is the case here, as you will see below.
Northrop Grumman Corporation Price and EPS Surprise
Northrop Grumman Corporation price-eps-surprise | Northrop Grumman Corporation Quote
Earnings ESP: The company’s Earnings ESP is +0.22%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Zacks Rank: Currently, the company carries a Zacks Rank #3. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Other Stocks to Consider
Investors may also consider the following players from the same industry as these, too, have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this reporting cycle.
RTX Corporation (RTX - Free Report) is likely to come up with an earnings beat when it announces first-quarter results on April 21, before market open. It has an Earnings ESP of +1.68% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present.
The consensus estimate for RTX’s first-quarter sales suggests an improvement of 6.2% from the year-ago quarter’s reported numbers. The company delivered an average earnings surprise of 10.6% for the trailing four quarters.
GE Aerospace (GE - Free Report) is likely to come up with an earnings beat when it announces first-quarter results on April 21, before market open. It has an Earnings ESP of +0.79% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present.
The consensus estimate for GE’s first-quarter sales suggests an improvement of 17.9% from the year-ago quarter’s reported numbers. The company delivered an average earnings surprise of 14.3% for the trailing four quarters.
L3Harris Technologies (LHX - Free Report) is expected to come up with an earnings beat when it reports first-quarter results on April 30, before market open. It has an Earnings ESP of +0.49% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present.
The consensus estimate for LHX’s first-quarter sales implies an improvement of 5.1% from the year-ago quarter’s level. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pinned at $2.56 per share, indicating year-over-year growth of 6.2%.