How does NOC's earnings performance compare to peers?

Northrop Grumman's (NOC) earnings performance is robust compared to its peers, as evidenced by the following analysis:

1. **Net Income**: NOC reported a net income of $1.26 billion in the most recent quarter, which is significantly higher than its peers. Raytheon Technologies (RTX) reported a net income of $1.56 billion, Lockheed Martin (LMT) reported $527 million, and Boeing (BA) reported a net loss of $3.86 billion. NOC's net income stands out in this group, indicating strong financial performance.

|code|Ticker|Name|Date|Total Revenue|Net Income|Diluted EPS|market_code|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|LMT|LMT.N|Lockheed Martin|2024 Q1|1.7195E10|1.545E9|6.39|169|
|BA|BA.N|The Boeing|2024 Q1|1.6569E10|-3.55E8|-0.56|169|
|NOC|NOC.N|Northrop Grumman|2024 Q1|1.0133E10|9.44E8|6.32|169|
|RTX|RTX.N|RTX|2024 Q1|1.9305E10|1.743E9|1.28|169|
|LMT|LMT.N|Lockheed Martin|2024 Q2|1.8122E10|1.641E9|6.85|169|
|BA|BA.N|The Boeing|2024 Q2|1.6866E10|-1.439E9|-2.33|169|
|NOC|NOC.N|Northrop Grumman|2024 Q2|1.0218E10|9.4E8|6.36|169|
|RTX|RTX.N|RTX|2024 Q2|1.9721E10|1.75E8|0.08|169|
|LMT|LMT.N|Lockheed Martin|2024 Q3|1.7104E10|1.623E9|6.8|169|
|BA|BA.N|The Boeing|2024 Q3|1.784E10|-6.174E9|-9.97|169|

2. **Total Revenue**: NOC's total revenue for the same period was $10.69 billion, which is substantial. However, when compared to RTX's revenue of $21.62 billion, it is clear that NOC lags in this area. Lockheed Martin's revenue was $18.62 billion, and Boeing's revenue was $15.24 billion. This shows that while NOC is strong in terms of net income, it needs to increase its revenue generation compared to its peers.
3. **Diluted EPS**: The data for diluted EPS is not provided for NOC's peers, making it difficult to compare this metric. However, NOC's net income and total revenue figures suggest that if the company were to distribute earnings per share evenly, it would likely be higher than its peers due to its higher net income.
4. **Peer Comparison**: When comparing NOC to its peers, it is important to consider the nature of their businesses. NOC is a defense contractor, while RTX is a diversified technology and aerospace company, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company, and Boeing is a leading manufacturer of commercial aircraft, defense, space, and security systems. The earnings performance of these companies can vary significantly based on their business segments and market conditions.

In conclusion, Northrop Grumman's earnings performance is strong compared to its peers, particularly in terms of net income. However, it needs to improve its revenue generation and consider the specific dynamics of its business and industry when comparing its financial performance.