Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC) vs United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS)

A side-by-side comparison of Northrop Grumman Corporation and United Parcel Service, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 16, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnNOC vs UPS

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
NOC +215.2% (+12.2%/yr)UPS +38.2% (+3.3%/yr)NOC compounded faster over this window
100200300400Start $10020182020202220242026$315$138
NOC UPS

NOC vs UPS: by the numbers

  • UPS is the larger company ($87.31B vs $82.02B market cap).
  • NOC trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (18.61 vs 19.42 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • NOC converts more revenue to profit (10.48% vs 5.08% net margin).
  • NOC grew revenue faster over the past five years (2.67% vs 0.98% CAGR).
  • UPS pays the higher dividend yield (6.28% vs 1.60%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricNOCUPS
P/E ratio18.6119.42
Forward P/E20.3114.55
P/S ratio1.950.99
P/B ratio4.665.90
EV / EBITDA16.5410.81
FCF yield4.37%6.17%

Profitability

MetricNOCUPS
Gross margin20.06%16.63%
Operating margin10.18%7.31%
Net margin10.48%5.08%
ROE25.14%30.33%
ROIC9.21%10.40%

Dividends

MetricNOCUPS
Dividend yield1.60%6.28%
Payout ratio32.26%100.00%

Growth (annualized)

MetricNOCUPS
Revenue CAGR (5Y)2.67%0.98%
EPS CAGR (5Y)8.84%33.45%
FCF CAGR (5Y)6.92%-7.15%
Total return CAGR (5Y)11.83%-7.56%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, NOC or UPS?
NOC has the lower trailing P/E: NOC trades at 18.61 and UPS at 19.42. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, NOC or UPS?
Over the past five years, NOC grew revenue faster — NOC at a 2.67% CAGR versus UPS at 0.98%.
Does NOC or UPS pay a bigger dividend?
NOC yields 1.60% and UPS yields 6.28% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is NOC or UPS more profitable?
NOC runs the higher net margin — NOC at 10.48% versus UPS at 5.08%.
How have NOC and UPS total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, NOC delivered 12.16% and UPS delivered 3.28% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

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 August 16, 2026.