For the quarter ended September 2026, Northrop Grumman (NOC Quick QuoteNOC - Free Report) reported revenue of $11.12 billion, up 6.7% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $7.89, compared to $7.67 in the year-ago quarter.

The reported revenue represents a surprise of +0.57% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $11.06 billion. With the consensus EPS estimate being $7.22, the EPS surprise was +9.28%.

While investors scrutinize revenue and earnings changes year-over-year and how they compare with Wall Street expectations to determine their next move, some key metrics always offer a more accurate picture of a company's financial health.

Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.

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- Mission Systems: $3.16 billion versus $3.18 billion estimated by three analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +2% change.
• Sales- Aeronautics Systems: $3.58 billion versus the three-analyst average estimate of $3.51 billion. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +13.8%.
• Sales- Intersegment eliminations: $-664 million versus $-614.22 million estimated by three analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +16.7% change.
• Sales- Space Systems: $2.75 billion compared to the $2.8 billion average estimate based on three analysts. The reported number represents a change of +1.9% year over year.
• Sales- Defense Systems: $2.31 billion compared to the $2.2 billion average estimate based on three analysts. The reported number represents a change of +12% year over year.
• Operating income (loss)- Intersegment eliminations: $-94 million compared to the $-87.73 million average estimate based on three analysts.
• Operating income (loss)- Mission Systems: $500 million versus $474.86 million estimated by three analysts on average.
• Operating income (loss)- Space Systems: $312 million compared to the $306.42 million average estimate based on three analysts.
• Operating income (loss)- Aeronautics Systems: $377 million versus $337.46 million estimated by three analysts on average.
• Operating income (loss)- Defense Systems: $250 million versus the three-analyst average estimate of $233.89 million.
• Segment operating income adjustment- Unallocated corporate expenses: $-69 million compared to the $-59.13 million average estimate based on two analysts.

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

Shares of Northrop Grumman have returned -3% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.7% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.