VSAT vs LHX vs RTX vs NOC vs LMT

For growth investors, RTX Corporation (RTX) is the stronger pick with 9.

7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 2. 2% for Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC). Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC) offers the better valuation at 18. 9x trailing P/E (19. 7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Viasat, Inc. (VSAT) a "Buy" — based on 20 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

On trailing P/E, Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC) is the cheapest at 18.

9x versus RTX Corporation at 35. 5x. On forward P/E, Lockheed Martin Corporation is actually cheaper at 16. 9x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Northrop Grumman Corporation wins at 2. 22x versus L3Harris Technologies, Inc. 's 2. 46x.

Over the past 5 years, RTX Corporation (RTX) delivered a total return of +121.

0%, compared to +42. 4% for Viasat, Inc. (VSAT). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: LHX returned +344. 0% versus VSAT's -7. 2%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

01β versus Viasat, Inc. 's 2. 98β — meaning VSAT is approximately 26750% more volatile than NOC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (LHX) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 53% versus 3% for Lockheed Martin Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), RTX Corporation (RTX) is pulling ahead at 9.

7% versus 2. 2% for Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Viasat, Inc. grew EPS 50. 9% year-over-year, compared to -3. 7% for Lockheed Martin Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, VSAT leads at 23. 2% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC) is the more profitable company, earning 10.

0% net margin versus -12. 7% for Viasat, Inc. — meaning it keeps 10. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: LMT leads at 10. 3% versus -2. 2% for VSAT. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — VSAT leads at 33. 0%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 2. 22x versus L3Harris Technologies, Inc. 's 2. 46x. Both stocks trade at elevated growth-adjusted valuations, so expected growth needs to materialise. On forward earnings alone, Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT) trades at 16. 9x forward P/E versus 25. 8x for L3Harris Technologies, Inc. — 8. 9x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for NOC: 33. 1% to $731. 46.

In this comparison, LMT (2.

7% yield), NOC (1. 6% yield), LHX (1. 6% yield), RTX (1. 5% yield) pay a dividend. VSAT does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.

01), 1. 6% yield, +184. 8% 10Y return). Viasat, Inc. (VSAT) carries a higher beta of 2. 98 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (NOC: +184. 8%, VSAT: -7. 2%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

These companies operate in different sectors (VSAT (Technology) and LHX (Industrials) and RTX (Industrials) and NOC (Industrials) and LMT (Industrials)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

LHX, RTX, NOC, LMT pay a dividend while VSAT does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.