Capital One Financial Corporation (COF)vsNorthrop Grumman Corporation (NOC)
COF
Capital One Financial Corporation
$185.23
+0.32%
FINANCIAL SERVICES · Cap: $112.86B
NOC
Northrop Grumman Corporation
$691.21
+1.33%
INDUSTRIALS · Cap: $97.36B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Northrop Grumman Corporation generates 28% more annual revenue ($41.95B vs $32.78B). NOC leads profitability with a 10.0% profit margin vs 7.5%. COF appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.19. COF earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 75/100 (B+).
COF
Strong Buy75
out of 100
Grade: B+
NOC
Buy56
out of 100
Grade: C
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
-50.8%
Fair Value
$142.20
Current Price
$185.23
$43.03 premium
Margin of Safety
+24.9%
Fair Value
$904.35
Current Price
$691.21
$213.14 discount
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Growing faster than its price suggests
Reasonable price relative to book value
Revenue surging 51.6% year-over-year
Large-cap with strong market position
Strong operational efficiency at 22.9%
Earnings expanding 22.2% YoY
Large-cap with strong market position
Every $100 of equity generates 26 in profit
Generating 3.2B in free cash flow
Areas to Watch
ROE of 2.4% — below average capital efficiency
7.5% margin — thin
Premium valuation, high expectations priced in
Grey zone — moderate risk
Elevated debt levels
Weak financial health signals
Expensive relative to growth rate
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : COF
The strongest argument for COF centers on PEG Ratio, Price/Book, Revenue Growth. Revenue growth of 51.6% demonstrates continued momentum. PEG of 0.19 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.
Bull Case : NOC
The strongest argument for NOC centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, Free Cash Flow.
Bear Case : COF
The primary concerns for COF are Return on Equity, Profit Margin, P/E Ratio. A P/E of 54.0x leaves little room for execution misses.
Bear Case : NOC
The primary concerns for NOC are Altman Z-Score, Debt/Equity, Piotroski F-Score.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
COF profiles as a hypergrowth stock while NOC is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.
COF carries more volatility with a beta of 1.14 — expect wider price swings.
COF is growing revenue faster at 51.6% — sustainability is the question.
COF generates stronger free cash flow (6.7B), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
COF scores higher overall (75/100 vs 56/100) and 51.6% revenue growth. NOC offers better value entry with a 24.9% margin of safety. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.
This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.
Capital One Financial Corporation
FINANCIAL SERVICES · CREDIT SERVICES · USA
Capital One Financial Corporation is an American bank holding company specializing in credit cards, auto loans, banking, and savings accounts, headquartered in McLean, Virginia with operations primarily in the United States.
Northrop Grumman Corporation
INDUSTRIALS · AEROSPACE & DEFENSE · USA
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) is an American multinational aerospace and defense technology company.
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