Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC) vs Waste Management, Inc. (WM)

A side-by-side comparison of Northrop Grumman Corporation and Waste Management, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnNOC vs WM

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
NOC +210.6% (+12.0%/yr)WM +313.6% (+15.3%/yr)WM compounded faster over this window
100200300400Start $10020182020202220242026$311$414
NOC WM

NOC vs WM: by the numbers

  • WM is the larger company ($90.46B vs $82.02B market cap).
  • NOC trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (18.34 vs 32.06 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • WM converts more revenue to profit (11.12% vs 10.48% net margin).
  • WM grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.22% vs 2.67% CAGR).
  • NOC pays the higher dividend yield (1.63% vs 1.56%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricNOCWM
P/E ratio18.3432.06
Forward P/E20.0227.88
P/S ratio1.923.56
P/B ratio4.609.20
EV / EBITDA16.3314.68
FCF yield4.43%3.91%

Profitability

MetricNOCWM
Gross margin20.06%35.04%
Operating margin10.18%18.54%
Net margin10.48%11.12%
ROE25.14%28.74%
ROIC9.21%8.88%

Dividends

MetricNOCWM
Dividend yield1.63%1.56%
Payout ratio32.26%52.68%

Growth (annualized)

MetricNOCWM
Revenue CAGR (5Y)2.67%9.22%
EPS CAGR (5Y)8.84%13.68%
FCF CAGR (5Y)6.92%7.05%
Total return CAGR (5Y)11.46%10.27%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, NOC or WM?
NOC has the lower trailing P/E: NOC trades at 18.34 and WM at 32.06. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, NOC or WM?
Over the past five years, WM grew revenue faster — NOC at a 2.67% CAGR versus WM at 9.22%.
Does NOC or WM pay a bigger dividend?
NOC yields 1.63% and WM yields 1.56% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is NOC or WM more profitable?
WM runs the higher net margin — NOC at 10.48% versus WM at 11.12%.
How have NOC and WM total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, NOC delivered 12.01% and WM delivered 15.06% 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 13, 2026.