Compare Stocks › MS vs NOC
Morgan Stanley (MS) vs Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC)
MS
Morgan Stanley
$190.17
VS
NOC
Northrop Grumman Corporation
$568.14
Rewards
MS
- ★Gross margin of 87.4% indicates strong pricing power — typical of businesses with significant intellectual property or brand strength.
- ★Morgan Stanley scores 80/100 on the Economic Moat Score (Wide Moat), with revenue predictability as the strongest competitive dimension.
- ★Each dollar of retained earnings has created $3.11 of earning power — management is an exceptional capital allocator.
NOC
- ★Free cash flow has grown at a 31.1% CAGR over the past 4 years, demonstrating strong earnings power growth.
- ★PEG ratio of 0.21 suggests the stock is undervalued relative to its growth rate — paying less than 1x for each unit of earnings growth.
Risks
MS
- ⚠High leverage (4.56x debt/equity) combined with thin interest coverage (-1.0x) poses financial risk.
- ⚠Altman Z-Score of 0.29 places the company in the distress zone — financial patterns resemble those of companies that experienced bankruptcy.
- ⚠Insiders have sold $17.7M worth of stock in the past 3 months — significant insider liquidation.
NOC
- ⚠Gross margin of 20.5% is low, suggesting a competitive or commodity-like market with limited pricing power.
- ⚠11 insider sales totaling $20.1M with no purchases in the past 3 months — insiders are reducing their exposure.
Key Valuation Metrics
Learn more →MS
NOC
Valuation
N/A
Free Cash Flow
$3.31B
N/A
FCF Yield
4.10%
17.21
Trailing P/E
17.83
15.02
Forward P/E
18.80
Quality & Moat
3.75%
ROIC
11.28%
14.42%
ROE
24.43%
87.39%
Gross Margin
20.52%
0.54
PEG Ratio
0.21
Balance Sheet Safety
4.56
Debt / Equity
1.03
N/A
Interest Coverage
N/A
N/A
Net Debt / EBITDA
2.12
2.10%
Dividend Yield
1.63%
MS: 3Ties: 2NOC: 4
MSNOC
Historical Fundamentals
Learn more →MS
Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.
NOC
Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.
Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.
$1 Retained Earnings Test
Learn more →MS
$6.65
created per $1 retained over 3 years
Exceptional Value Creator
Σ Retained
$20.84B
Δ Market Cap
+$138.59B
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
NOC
$-0.38
created per $1 retained over 3 years
Market Cap Declined
Σ Retained
$6.82B
Δ Market Cap
$-2.60B
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Analysis
Learn more →MS
31.0% Margin of Safety
Price is 31.0% below estimated fair value
Current Price: $190.17
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
Fair Value: $275.48
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
NOC
5.2% Overvalued
Price is 5.2% above estimated fair value
Current Price: $568.14
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
Fair Value: $539.93
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
Reverse DCF — Market-Implied Growth
Learn more →MS
Requires positive FCF to compute implied growth rate.
NOC
What growth rate is the market pricing in at $568?
+9.6%
Market-Implied Owner Earnings Growth
Standard FCF implies +12.8%
The market implies +9.6% Owner Earnings growth, above historical trends.
Standard FCF implies a demanding +12.8%, reflecting heavy growth investment.
Economic Moat Score
Learn more →MS
80/100
Wide Moat
70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None
Wide moat driven primarily by revenue predictability. Margin Stability is the area most vulnerable to competitive pressure.
Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 4 years of fundamental data.
NOC
68/100
Narrow Moat
70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None
Narrow moat with revenue predictability as the key competitive advantage. Improving margin stability would strengthen the moat.
Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 4 years of fundamental data.
Forensic Accounting
Learn more →MS
-2.09
Possible Manipulator
Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone
M-Score Trend
Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.
NOC
-2.45
Unlikely Manipulator
Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone
M-Score Trend
Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.
Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.
Ownership Breakdown
Learn more →MS
Insiders 24.3%Institutions 63.0%Retail & Other 12.8%
No. of Institutional Holders3,167
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.
NOC
Insiders 0.2%Institutions 83.3%Retail & Other 16.4%
No. of Institutional Holders2,238
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.
Insider Buying Activity
Learn more →MS
0
Buys (3M)
1
Buys (12M)
Total value (12M): $5,630
PETERSON DOUGLAS L
Director
$5,630
@ $156.39 · 2025-10-17
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises
NOC
0
Buys (3M)
0
Buys (12M)
No open market insider purchases found.
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises.
Insider Selling Activity
Learn more →MS
4
Sells (3M)
17
Sells (12M)
Total value (12M): $74.11M
GROSSMAN ERIC F
Officer
$2.12M
@ $190.75 · 2026-04-20
SIMKOWITZ DANIEL A
President
$2.78M
@ $189.24 · 2026-04-17
CRAWLEY MANDELL L.
Officer
$3.04M
@ $188.22 · 2026-04-16
SAPERSTEIN ANDREW MICHAEL
President
$9.74M
@ $188.59 · 2026-04-16
SIMKOWITZ DANIEL A
President
$6.02M
@ $182.61 · 2026-01-30
CRAWLEY MANDELL L.
Officer
$1.44M
@ $183.45 · 2026-01-20
YESHAYA SHARON
Chief Financial Officer
$2.94M
@ $185.77 · 2026-01-20
SMITH CHARLES AUBREY III
Officer
$1.55M
@ $182.08 · 2026-01-20
PIZZI MICHAEL A
Officer
$3.69M
@ $184.55 · 2026-01-20
SAPERSTEIN ANDREW MICHAEL
President
$5.57M
@ $183.62 · 2026-01-20
GROSSMAN ERIC F
Officer
$3.97M
@ $184.00 · 2026-01-20
PICK EDWARD N.
Chief Executive Officer
$16.43M
@ $164.34 · 2025-10-31
SMITH CHARLES AUBREY III
Officer
$2.81M
@ $140.30 · 2025-07-17
PIZZI MICHAEL A
Officer
$2.53M
@ $140.62 · 2025-07-17
GROSSMAN ERIC F
Officer
$1.69M
@ $141.12 · 2025-07-17
SIMKOWITZ DANIEL A
President
$4.09M
@ $141.13 · 2025-07-17
SIMKOWITZ DANIEL A
President
$3.70M
@ $127.37 · 2025-05-12
SAPERSTEIN ANDREW MICHAEL
President
$4.80M
@ $120.00 · 2025-05-02
HERZ ROBERT H
Director
$95,459
@ $119.32 · 2025-05-02
GROSSMAN ERIC F
Officer
$1.12M
@ $111.65 · 2025-04-15
CRAWLEY MANDELL L.
Officer
$1.15M
@ $138.06 · 2025-01-22
PIZZI MICHAEL A
Officer
$2.52M
@ $136.92 · 2025-01-21
SAPERSTEIN ANDREW MICHAEL
President
$4.20M
@ $136.43 · 2025-01-21
GROSSMAN ERIC F
Officer
$1.78M
@ $136.20 · 2025-01-21
SIMKOWITZ DANIEL A
President
$5.00M
@ $136.61 · 2025-01-21
AKRAM RAJA
Chief Financial Officer
$2.38M
@ $136.01 · 2025-01-21
CRAWLEY MANDELL L.
Officer
$368,375
@ $105.25 · 2024-07-26
AKRAM RAJA
Officer
$797,764
@ $106.37 · 2024-07-18
HERZ ROBERT H
Director
$106,621
@ $106.62 · 2024-07-17
SIMKOWITZ DANIEL A
President
$4.26M
@ $106.54 · 2024-07-17
CRAWLEY MANDELL L.
Officer
$692,663
@ $99.61 · 2024-05-14
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives
NOC
11
Sells (3M)
24
Sells (12M)
Total value (12M): $35.38M
SIMPSON KATHRYN G.
General Counsel
$650,385
@ $745.00 · 2026-03-02
ROEDER ROSHAN S.
Officer
$1.26M
@ $720.00 · 2026-02-27
ROEDER ROSHAN S.
Officer
$372,541
@ $727.62 · 2026-02-19
SIMPSON KATHRYN G.
General Counsel
$141,158
@ $727.62 · 2026-02-19
HARDESTY MICHAEL A
Officer
$107,748
@ $732.98 · 2026-02-19
DAVIES BENJAMIN R
Officer
$1.58M
@ $719.62 · 2026-02-18
ROEDER ROSHAN S.
Officer
$223,414
@ $702.56 · 2026-02-17
SIMPSON KATHRYN G.
General Counsel
$547,294
@ $702.56 · 2026-02-17
HARDESTY MICHAEL A
Officer
$501,609
@ $701.55 · 2026-02-17
HARDESTY MICHAEL A
Officer
$550,411
@ $702.95 · 2026-02-13
WARDEN KATHY J
Chief Executive Officer
$14.18M
@ $708.82 · 2026-02-06
WELSH MARK A. III
Director
$65,029
@ $684.52 · 2026-02-02
WARDEN KATHY J
Chief Executive Officer
$6.04M
@ $604.50 · 2026-01-06
ROEDER ROSHAN S.
Officer
$46,649
@ $555.35 · 2025-12-09
WELSH MARK A. III
Director
$54,716
@ $564.08 · 2025-11-24
JONES THOMAS H.
Officer
$382,725
@ $525.00 · 2025-07-17
WELSH MARK A. III
Director
$16,720
@ $506.67 · 2025-07-07
WARDEN KATHY J
Chief Executive Officer
$5.65M
@ $502.18 · 2025-06-13
JONES THOMAS H.
Officer
$368,706
@ $505.77 · 2025-06-13
FLEMING ROBERT J
Officer
$1.77M
@ $505.77 · 2025-06-13
WELSH MARK A. III
Director
$16,120
@ $488.48 · 2025-06-05
ROEDER ROSHAN S.
Officer
$485,590
@ $490.00 · 2025-06-04
JONES THOMAS H.
Officer
$349,920
@ $480.00 · 2025-05-30
WELSH MARK A. III
Director
$16,293
@ $493.73 · 2025-05-05
WELSH MARK A. III
Director
$15,850
@ $480.30 · 2025-04-07
WARDEN KATHY J
Chief Executive Officer
$1.78M
@ $475.65 · 2025-03-06
WELSH MARK A. III
Director
$15,631
@ $473.67 · 2025-03-05
DAVIES BENJAMIN R
Officer
$213,788
@ $460.75 · 2025-02-28
HARDESTY MICHAEL A
Officer
$875,873
@ $453.59 · 2025-02-24
SIMPSON KATHRYN G.
General Counsel
$444,098
@ $429.08 · 2025-02-20
DAVIES BENJAMIN R
Officer
$82,383
@ $429.08 · 2025-02-20
SIMPSON KATHRYN G.
General Counsel
$395,916
@ $445.35 · 2025-02-18
DAVIES BENJAMIN R
Officer
$130,488
@ $445.35 · 2025-02-18
WELSH MARK A. III
Director
$15,843
@ $480.09 · 2025-02-05
WELSH MARK A. III
Director
$15,072
@ $456.73 · 2025-01-06
WELSH MARK A. III
Director
$15,886
@ $481.39 · 2024-12-05
DAVIES BENJAMIN R
Officer
$616,067
@ $532.93 · 2024-11-11
WELSH MARK A. III
Director
$16,833
@ $510.09 · 2024-11-05
WELSH MARK A. III
Director
$17,675
@ $535.61 · 2024-10-07
WELSH MARK A. III
Director
$17,151
@ $519.73 · 2024-09-05
WELSH MARK A. III
Director
$17,546
@ $516.06 · 2024-08-29
JONES THOMAS H.
Officer
$695,000
@ $500.00 · 2024-08-02
JONES THOMAS H.
Officer
$1.30M
@ $469.25 · 2024-07-26
ROEDER ROSHAN S.
Officer
$429,429
@ $471.90 · 2024-05-20
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives.
🎭 Mr. Market's Mood
Learn more →MS
😏Greed(71/100)
"Market is optimistic — be cautious and ensure you have a margin of safety"
Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.
NOC
😨Fear(38/100)
"Market is pessimistic — investigate whether fears are temporary or structural"
Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.
Composite sentiment score based on market signals. Inspired by Buffett’s "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.
⚖️ Buffett Signal
Learn more →MS
⚪Awaiting DCF Data
The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.
DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Greed (71)
NOC
⚪Awaiting DCF Data
The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.
DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Fear (38)