Is GWW or NOC cheaper?

On trailing earnings, NOC is cheaper: GWW trades at a 36.38 P/E and NOC at 15.52.

Which has grown faster, GWW or NOC?

Over the past five years, GWW grew revenue faster — GWW at a 9.12% CAGR versus NOC at 2.56%.

Does GWW or NOC pay a bigger dividend?

GWW yields 0.74% and NOC yields 1.99% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.

Is GWW or NOC more profitable?

NOC runs the higher net margin — GWW at 9.70% versus NOC at 10.80%.

Which has been the better investment, GWW or NOC?

Over the past 10-year, GWW delivered the higher annualized total return — GWW at 21.80% versus NOC at 10.37%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) vs Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC)

GWW leads on 9 of 17 compared metrics, though NOC is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of W.W. Grainger, Inc. and Northrop Grumman Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 30, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Northrop Grumman Corporation

$70.45B

$496.02Industrials

Total return — GWW vs NOC

growth of $100 · last 30y

GWW +3375.3%NOC +1505.2%GWW compounded faster

GWW NOC

GWW vs NOC: by the numbers

•NOC is the larger company ($70.45B vs $63.89B market cap).
•NOC trades at the lower earnings multiple (15.52 vs 36.38 P/E).
•NOC converts more revenue to profit (10.80% vs 9.70% net margin).
•GWW grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.12% vs 2.56% CAGR).
•NOC pays the higher dividend yield (1.99% vs 0.74%).

Which is better, GWW or NOC?

Metric tally: GWW 9 · NOC 8

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueNOC(lower P/E)

GrowthGWW(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)

IncomeNOC(higher dividend yield)

QualityGWW(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

Metric	GWW	NOC
P/E ratio	36.38	15.52●
Forward P/E	29.67	16.46●
P/S ratio	3.49	1.67●
P/B ratio	16.32	4.13●
PEG ratio	1.64●	7.41
EV / EBITDA	23.07	13.81●
FCF yield	2.15%	4.68%●

Profitability

Metric	GWW	NOC
Gross margin	39.15%●	20.52%
Operating margin	14.23%●	11.08%
Net margin	9.70%	10.80%●
ROE	45.34%●	26.74%
ROIC	27.73%●	9.21%

Dividends

Metric	GWW	NOC
Dividend yield	0.74%	1.99%●
Payout ratio	28.08%	33.91%

Growth (annualized)

Metric	GWW	NOC
Revenue CAGR (5Y)	9.12%●	2.56%
EPS CAGR (5Y)	22.25%●	8.84%
FCF CAGR (5Y)	7.67%●	-3.15%
Total return CAGR (5Y)	26.01%●	8.34%

Frequently asked

Which is better, GWW or NOC?: It depends on your goal. value: NOC (lower P/E); growth: GWW (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: NOC (higher dividend yield); quality: GWW (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, GWW leads 9 to 8.
Is GWW or NOC cheaper?: On trailing earnings, NOC is cheaper: GWW trades at a 36.38 P/E and NOC at 15.52.
Which has grown faster, GWW or NOC?: Over the past five years, GWW grew revenue faster — GWW at a 9.12% CAGR versus NOC at 2.56%.
Does GWW or NOC pay a bigger dividend?: GWW yields 0.74% and NOC yields 1.99% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is GWW or NOC more profitable?: NOC runs the higher net margin — GWW at 9.70% versus NOC at 10.80%.
Which has been the better investment, GWW or NOC?: Over the past 10-year, GWW delivered the higher annualized total return — GWW at 21.80% versus NOC at 10.37%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full GWW analysis Full NOC analysis Interactive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

W.W. Grainger P/E ratio Northrop Grumman P/E ratio W.W. Grainger dividend yield Northrop Grumman dividend yield W.W. Grainger ROE Northrop Grumman ROE W.W. Grainger operating margin Northrop Grumman operating margin W.W. Grainger revenue growth Northrop Grumman revenue growth W.W. Grainger free cash flow Northrop Grumman free cash flow

W.W. Grainger & Northrop Grumman appear in these rankings

Dividend Aristocrats Highest ROE Stocks Highest ROIC Stocks Highest FCF Yield Stocks

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 30, 2026.