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NOCNorthrop Grumman Corporation

FCF Payout Ratio: 40.06%

Is the FCF payout ratio high or low?

The FCF payout ratio of 40.06% is 42% below its 5-year average of 68.65%, near the low end of its 5-year range (24.85%–234.64%).

35.43% below its 12-month average of 62.04%.

FCF Payout Ratio

NOC FCF Payout Ratio

40.06%

Rolling trailing-12-month FCF payout ratio sampled each quarter; raw quarterly payout is intentionally not charted.

+7.75% 5Y
NOC FCF Payout Ratio

NOC Average FCF Payout Ratio Chart

NOC FCF Payout Ratio

NOC Current vs Average FCF Payout Ratio Chart

NOC FCF Payout Ratio Metrics

FCF PAYOUT RATIO

40.06%

FCF PAYOUT RATIO AVG TTM

62.04%

FCF PAYOUT RATIO AVG 3Y

57.16%

FCF PAYOUT RATIO AVG 5Y

53.76%

FCF PAYOUT RATIO AVG 10Y

41.10%

FCF PAYOUT RATIO AVG 15Y

36.57%

FCF PAYOUT RATIO AVG 20Y

34.30%

CURRENT VS TTM AVG

-35.43%

CURRENT VS 3Y AVG

-29.92%

CURRENT VS 5Y AVG

-25.48%

CURRENT VS 10Y AVG

-2.54%

CURRENT VS 15Y AVG

+9.56%

CURRENT VS 20Y AVG

+16.80%

Payout Ratio Comparison

FCF Payout Ratio TTM

40.1%

Earnings Payout Ratio

33.9%

Dividend Yield

1.98%

FCF Yield

4.64%

Annual FCF Payout Ratio History

YearFree Cash FlowDividends PaidFCF Payout Ratio
2025$3.31B$1.29B39.1%
2024$2.62B$1.19B45.2%
2023$2.10B$1.12B53.1%
2022$1.47B$1.05B71.8%
2021$2.15B$983.00M45.7%
2020$2.88B$953.00M33.0%
2019$3.03B$880.00M29.0%
2018$2.58B$821.00M31.8%
2017$1.69B$689.00M40.9%
2016$1.89B$640.00M33.8%
2015$1.69B$603.00M35.7%
2014$2.03B$563.00M27.7%
2013$2.12B$545.00M25.7%
2012$2.31B$535.00M23.2%
2011$1.63B$543.00M33.4%
2010$1.87B$545.00M29.2%
2009$1.41B$539.00M38.2%
2008$2.53B$525.00M20.8%
2007$2.21B$504.00M22.9%
2006$1.02B$402.00M39.5%
2005$1.80B$359.00M19.9%
2004$1.26B$322.00M25.5%
2003$97.00M$305.00M314.4%
2002$1.15B$205.00M17.8%
2001$424.00M$158.00M37.3%
2000$736.00M$114.00M15.5%
1999$774.00M$111.00M14.3%
1998($17.00M)$109.00MN/A (Loss)
1997$492.00M$102.00M20.7%
1996$507.00M$85.00M16.8%

Formula: FCF Payout Ratio TTM = trailing 4Q dividends paid / trailing 4Q free cash flow × 100

FCF payout and earnings payout:

  • FCF represents operating cash flow after capital expenditures
  • FCF payout compares dividends paid with free cash flow
  • FCF payout above 100% means dividends paid exceeded free cash flow for the period
  • Earnings payout compares dividends paid with net income

Reading the series: Use the chart and table to compare dividend payments with cash generation over time.

FCF Payout Ratio Formula & Definition

FCF Payout Ratio measures trailing dividends paid as a percentage of trailing free cash flow. Unlike earnings-based payout, it compares dividends with cash generated after capital expenditures.

Expanded definitions: Investopedia, Wikipedia, Corporate Finance Institute

FCF Payout Ratio FAQ

What is the FCF payout ratio for Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC)?
The FCF payout ratio for NOC stock is 40.06%.
Is Northrop Grumman Corporation's FCF payout ratio high or low?
The FCF payout ratio of 40.06% is 42% below its 5-year average of 68.65%, near the low end of its 5-year range (24.85%–234.64%).
What is the TTM average FCF payout ratio for Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC)?
The TTM average FCF payout ratio for NOC stock is 62.04%.
What is the 3Y average FCF payout ratio for Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC)?
The 3Y average FCF payout ratio for NOC stock is 57.16%.
What is the 5Y average FCF payout ratio for Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC)?
The 5Y average FCF payout ratio for NOC stock is 53.76%.
What is the 10Y average FCF payout ratio for Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC)?
The 10Y average FCF payout ratio for NOC stock is 41.10%.
What is the 15Y average FCF payout ratio for Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC)?
The 15Y average FCF payout ratio for NOC stock is 36.57%.
What is the 20Y average FCF payout ratio for Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC)?
The 20Y average FCF payout ratio for NOC stock is 34.30%.

NOC FCF Payout Ratio History

DATEFCF PAYOUT RATIO
2026-03-3140.06%
2025-12-3139.10%
2025-09-3068.87%
2025-06-3094.34%
2025-03-3167.85%
2024-12-3145.25%
2024-09-3047.02%
2024-06-3043.73%
2024-03-3152.88%
2023-12-3153.14%
2023-09-3052.58%
2023-06-3048.05%
2023-03-3190.23%
2022-12-3171.76%
2022-09-30185.61%
2022-06-30234.64%
2022-03-3158.90%
2021-12-3145.68%
2021-09-3039.91%
2021-06-3037.18%
2021-03-3124.85%
2020-12-3133.03%
2020-09-3024.12%
2020-06-3024.85%
2020-03-3130.22%
2019-12-3129.01%
2019-09-3029.21%
2019-06-3032.63%
2019-03-3143.37%
2018-12-3131.85%
2018-09-3039.64%
2018-06-3034.57%
2018-03-3140.10%
2017-12-3140.89%
2017-09-3042.73%
2017-06-3045.29%
2017-03-3140.54%
2016-12-3133.81%
2016-09-3028.89%
2016-06-3030.43%
2016-03-3128.80%
2015-12-3135.66%
2015-09-3042.44%
2015-06-3033.30%
2015-03-3134.07%
2014-12-3127.71%
2014-09-3030.34%
2014-06-3029.54%
2014-03-3132.25%
2013-12-3125.72%
2013-09-3026.94%
2013-06-3028.36%
2013-03-3121.91%
2012-12-3123.17%
2012-09-3020.83%
2012-06-3020.14%
2012-03-3131.65%
2011-12-3133.37%
2011-09-3037.13%
2011-06-3037.78%
2011-03-3126.30%
2010-12-3132.50%
2010-09-3039.68%
2010-06-3057.88%
2010-03-3149.09%
2009-12-3138.20%
2009-09-3035.48%
2009-06-3022.88%
2009-03-3124.51%
2008-12-3120.75%
2008-09-3023.57%
2008-06-3025.99%
2008-03-3125.34%
2007-12-3122.86%
2007-09-3027.51%
2007-06-3029.19%
2007-03-3128.37%
2006-12-3139.45%
2006-09-3028.88%
2006-06-3029.64%
2006-03-3125.47%
2005-12-3119.91%
2005-09-3023.16%
2005-06-3024.71%
2005-03-3127.71%
2004-12-3125.47%
2004-09-3018.67%
2004-06-3023.03%
2004-03-3120.84%
2003-12-31314.43%
2003-09-30212.78%
2003-06-3057.71%
2003-03-31192.56%

About Northrop Grumman Corporation

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global player in the aerospace and defense sectors. Its Aeronautics Systems division is responsible for the full lifecycle of aircraft, from design and development to production, integration, and ongoing maintenance. This includes a diverse portfolio of crewed and uncrewed aerial platforms: advanced strategic long-range strike aircraft, tactical fighter and air superiority jets, and sophisticated airborne systems for battle management and command and control. Additionally, it specializes in autonomous uncrewed aircraft systems, such as high-altitude, long-endurance strategic intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platforms, alongside vertical take-off and landing tactical ISR systems. The Defense Systems segment focuses on creating and delivering a wide array of weapons and mission technologies. Its offerings encompass integrated battle management solutions, various weapons platforms, and specialized aircraft. Key products include command and control systems, munitions, and missiles, alongside precision strike capabilities. The segment is also at the forefront of propulsion technologies, offering both air-breathing and advanced hypersonic systems, as well as sophisticated gun systems and precision munitions. Beyond products, it provides comprehensive life-cycle support, including software services, ongoing maintenance, logistics, operational assistance, and modernization efforts for air, sea, and ground-based defense systems. Within its Mission Systems division, Northrop Grumman delivers critical capabilities spanning cybersecurity, C4ISR (command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance). This includes developing advanced sensing technologies such as radar, electro-optical/infrared, and acoustic sensors, alongside electronic warfare systems. The division also provides cutting-edge communications and networking solutions, intelligence processing, navigation systems, and maritime power, propulsion, and payload launch systems. Furthermore, it supplies airborne multifunction sensors, integrated maritime and land-based systems, targeting and survivability solutions, and robust networked information platforms. The Space Systems segment is a key provider of space-based solutions, delivering satellites and their associated payloads, along with essential ground control systems. It specializes in missile defense systems, including interceptors, and offers a range of launch vehicles with their propulsion components, as well as strategic missile technologies. Established in 1939, the corporation maintains its headquarters in Falls Church, Virginia.

Falls Church, VA
97,000 employees
Industrials / Aerospace & Defense
Sector
Industrials
Industry
Aerospace & Defense
CEO
Kathy J. Warden