Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions

LMT vs NOC

Lockheed Martin Corporation versus Northrop Grumman Corporation — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.

LMT wins 3–2 on our six-dimension comparison, but NOC can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.

Scorecard at a glance

Dimension	LMT	NOC	Winner
Yield	2.63%	1.71%	LMT wins
Dividend safety	7.3/10	8.8/10	NOC wins
Growth trend	+0.00% vs 5y	+0.17% vs 5y	LMT wins
Volatility (beta)	0.24	-0.11	NOC wins
Scale	$118.4B	$76.8B	LMT wins
Tax efficiency	Qualified-eligible	Qualified-eligible	Tie
Overall	3 wins	2 wins	LMT wins

Dimension by dimension

LMT wins on yield (2.63% vs 1.71%)

On a $10,000 investment that's about $92 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.

LMT's higher yield (2.63%) looks attractive but investors should weigh whether the extra income compensates for any additional risk versus NOC's 1.71% — especially if the higher yield is driven by covered calls or a falling share price.

LMT: 2.63%NOC: 1.71%

NOC wins on safety (8.8/10 vs 7.3/10)

Our score combines yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size. NOC scores better on the weighted average of those factors.

NOC (8.8/10) scores 1.5 points higher than LMT (7.3/10). A higher safety score means lower historical indicators of dividend cut risk — payout ratio, yield zone, and trend all factor in.

LMT: 7.3/10NOC: 8.8/10

LMT shows healthier dividend-vs-price trend

LMT's yield is 0.00% above its 5y average, versus 0.17% for NOC. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.

LMT: +0.00% vs 5yNOC: +0.17% vs 5y

NOC is less volatile (beta -0.11 vs 0.24)

Lower beta means smaller swings vs the S&P 500 — generally a steadier hold for income investors.

LMT: 0.24NOC: -0.11

LMT is 1.5× larger by market cap

Larger companies tend to have tighter spreads, deeper liquidity, and lower closure risk.

LMT: $118.4BNOC: $76.8B

Both pay qualified-dividend-eligible distributions

Neither is structurally flagged for ordinary-income tax treatment. Most distributions should qualify for the lower long-term capital gains rate if holding-period requirements are met.

LMT: Qualified-eligibleNOC: Qualified-eligible

How we compare these

Every comparison on this page is computed from current public data, not written by hand. Yield comes from the most recent dividend distribution annualized over current price. Safety scores combine yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size — see our methodology for the exact formula. Tax-efficiency flags identify covered-call ETFs, REITs, and mREITs which distribute primarily as ordinary income.

This is educational, not investment advice.Scores reflect a snapshot of public data on the "as of" dates shown on each ticker's safety page. Verify on the issuer's investor relations page or your brokerage before making decisions.

Frequently asked

Which is better for income, LMT or NOC?

LMT wins 3–2 on our six-dimension comparison, but NOC can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.

LMT vs NOC: which has a higher dividend yield?

LMT yields 2.63% and NOC yields 1.71%. On a $10,000 investment that's about $92 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.

Is LMT or NOC a safer dividend in 2026?

LMT scores 7.3/10 (Solid) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. NOC scores 8.8/10 (Strong). NOC is the safer pick on our scoring model.

Which has better dividend growth, LMT or NOC?