VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Stock Comparison

BAE Systems plc vs Northrop Grumman Corporation

Compare moat strength, market structure, and segment coverage to understand how each company defends its edge.

BAE Systems plc

BA. · London Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$63.1B
Gross margin (TTM)8.7%
Operating margin (TTM)9.3%
Net margin (TTM)7.4%
SectorIndustrials
IndustryAerospace & Defense
CountryGB
Data as of2025-12-28
Moat score
75/ 100

Weighted average of segment moat scores, combining moat strength, durability, confidence, market structure, pricing power, and market share.

Full stock profile

Dive deeper into BAE Systems plc's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View BA. analysis

Northrop Grumman Corporation

NOC · New York Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$102.7B
Gross margin (TTM)19.8%
Operating margin (TTM)10.2%
Net margin (TTM)10%
SectorIndustrials
IndustryAerospace & Defense
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-26
Moat score
72/ 100

Weighted average of segment moat scores, combining moat strength, durability, confidence, market structure, pricing power, and market share.

Full stock profile

Dive deeper into Northrop Grumman Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View NOC analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: BAE Systems plc leads (75 / 100 vs 72 / 100 for Northrop Grumman Corporation).
  • Segment focus: BAE Systems plc has 5 segments (26.6% in Electronic Systems); Northrop Grumman Corporation has 4 segments (28.7% in Aeronautics Systems).
  • Moat breadth: BAE Systems plc has 8 moat types across 3 domains; Northrop Grumman Corporation has 6 across 3.

Primary market context

BAE Systems plc

Electronic Systems

Market

Defence electronics (electronic warfare, avionics, C4ISR, space payloads and mission systems)

Geography

Primarily US and UK; global programmes

Customer

Government defence and intelligence agencies; prime contractors

Role

Subsystem OEM and prime contractor for electronics/mission systems

Revenue share

26.6%

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Aeronautics Systems

Market

Military aircraft systems (manned & unmanned) plus sustainment/modernization

Geography

Global (primarily United States and allies)

Customer

U.S. government and allied governments

Role

Prime contractor and major subsystem supplier

Revenue share

28.7%

Side-by-side metrics

BAE Systems plc
Northrop Grumman Corporation
Ticker / Exchange
BA. - London Stock Exchange
NOC - New York Stock Exchange
Market cap (USD)
$63.1B
$102.7B
Gross margin (TTM)
8.7%
19.8%
Operating margin (TTM)
9.3%
10.2%
Net margin (TTM)
7.4%
10%
Sector
Industrials
Industrials
Industry
Aerospace & Defense
Aerospace & Defense
HQ country
GB
US
Primary segment
Electronic Systems
Aeronautics Systems
Market structure
Oligopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
n/a
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
75 / 100
72 / 100
Moat domains
Legal, Demand, Supply
Legal, Demand, Supply
Last update
2025-12-28
2025-12-26

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Government Contracting RelationshipsDesign In QualificationCompliance AdvantageCapex Knowhow ScaleCapacity MoatSwitching Costs General

BAE Systems plc strengths

Service Field NetworkLong Term Contracts

Northrop Grumman Corporation strengths

No unique moat types yet.

Segment mix

BAE Systems plc segments

Full profile >

Electronic Systems

Oligopoly

26.6%

Platforms & Services

Oligopoly

16.3%

Air

Oligopoly

26%

Maritime

Oligopoly

22.5%

Cyber & Intelligence

Competitive

8.6%

Northrop Grumman Corporation segments

Full profile >

Aeronautics Systems

Oligopoly

28.7%

Defense Systems

Oligopoly

18.8%

Mission Systems

Oligopoly

24.9%

Space Systems

Oligopoly

27.6%

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

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Curation & Accuracy

This directory blends AI‑assisted discovery with human curation. Entries are reviewed, edited, and organized with the goal of expanding coverage and sharpening quality over time. Your feedback helps steer improvements (because no single human can capture everything all at once).

Details change. Pricing, features, and availability may be incomplete or out of date. Treat listings as a starting point and verify on the provider’s site before making decisions. If you spot an error or a gap, send a quick note and I’ll adjust.