Northrop Grumman Stock Under Scrutiny After F/A-XX Fighter Loss
Northrop Grumman stock is facing a significant test after the U.S. Navy chose Boeing for the F/A-XX fighter program. The decision, announced on October 1, 2026, removes a potential long-term growth opportunity for Northrop Grumman. The company's shares closed at USD 478.00 on the NYSE on October 2, 2026, near their 52-week low of USD 470.06, with the high at USD 774.00.
The market value stood at USD 67.9 billion on October 2, 2026, with trading volume reaching 2,678,739 shares. This outcome leaves Northrop Grumman dependent on other programs, including the B-21, missile defense, and space systems. RBC Capital downgraded Northrop Grumman from Outperform to Sector Perform and cut its price target from USD 640 to USD 525, citing slower U.S. defense budget growth after fiscal 2027.
The latest analyst consensus remains Moderate Buy, based on 21 ratings. The average target is USD 647.57, which stands 35.5 percent above the October 2 closing price. Northrop Grumman reported USD 10.88 billion in second-quarter 2026 revenue, up 5.1 percent from the comparable period, but adjusted EPS was USD 7.68, below USD 8.15 in the year-ago quarter.
Northrop Grumman announced on September 17, 2026, that third-quarter results will be released before the market opens on October 20, 2026. The company also scheduled its earnings webcast for 9:30 a.m. ET that day, making margin recovery and execution the next measurable test. The stock closed at USD 478.00 on October 2, 2026, down USD 4.00 or 0.83 percent from the prior close.