For the quarter ended March 2026, Northrop Grumman (NOC Quick QuoteNOC - Free Report) reported revenue of $9.88 billion, up 4.4% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $6.14, compared to $6.06 in the year-ago quarter.

The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $9.78 billion, representing a surprise of +1%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of +0.99%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $6.08.

While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance.

As these metrics influence top- and bottom-line performance, comparing them to the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated helps investors project a stock's price performance more accurately.

Here is how Northrop Grumman performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:

• Sales- Intersegment eliminations: $-642 million compared to the $-533.6 million average estimate based on three analysts. The reported number represents a change of +22.1% year over year.
• Sales- Mission Systems: $2.86 billion compared to the $2.85 billion average estimate based on three analysts. The reported number represents a change of +1.9% year over year.
• Sales- Space Systems: $2.48 billion compared to the $2.66 billion average estimate based on three analysts. The reported number represents a change of -3.4% year over year.
• Sales- Defense Systems: $1.9 billion compared to the $1.89 billion average estimate based on three analysts. The reported number represents a change of +5.2% year over year.
• Sales- Aeronautics Systems: $3.28 billion versus $2.94 billion estimated by three analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +16.7% change.
• Operating income (loss)- Defense Systems: $184 million compared to the $187.82 million average estimate based on three analysts.
• Operating income (loss)- Space Systems: $235 million versus the three-analyst average estimate of $287.91 million.
• Operating income (loss)- Aeronautics Systems: $305 million compared to the $278.51 million average estimate based on three analysts.
• Operating income (loss)- Mission Systems: $433 million versus $413.14 million estimated by three analysts on average.
• Operating income (loss)- Intersegment eliminations: $-85 million versus $-75.91 million estimated by three analysts on average.
• Segment operating income adjustment- Unallocated corporate expenses: $-90 million versus $-55.63 million estimated by two analysts on average.

View all Key Company Metrics for Northrop Grumman here>>>

Shares of Northrop Grumman have returned -3.4% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +9.3% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), indicating that it could outperform the broader market in the near term.