Northrop Grumman Raises 2026 Profit Guidance After Earnings Beat

Northrop Grumman Corporation raised its full-year 2026 earnings-per-share guidance to a range of $29.35-$29.75, up from the previous estimate of $28.60-$29.10. The adjustment follows a third-quarter performance where diluted earnings-per-share reached $7.89, surpassing the consensus estimate of $7.18, and quarterly sales grew 7% to $11.1 billion.

The company reported a record order backlog of $110 billion, bolstered by $16 billion in net awards during the third quarter. Chief Executive Kathy Warden attributed the improved financial outlook to this backlog and the company's current portfolio positioning. Shares of the defense contractor rose over 6% in intraday trading following the announcement.

Management projected sales growth of 5%-7% for 2027. The company identified the Sentinel programme, satellite-launch schedules, and investments in autonomous systems, munitions, and space systems as the primary drivers for future growth.