Industrial stocks have quietly become this year’s biggest winners, and most investors don’t even realize it. While everyone’s been talking about tech and artificial intelligence (AI), the companies that actually build the infrastructure for our economy have been crushing it. Fidelity’s industrial fund managers said this sector is the top performer of 2025 so far, and they don’t think the party’s over. Here’s why these stocks are surging and which ones Fidelity is betting on. Check Out: Self-Made Millionair ...

Company Overview - Northrop Grumman is a leading global defense contractor with a diversified portfolio that includes aeronautics, mission systems, defense, and space [5] - The company serves government agencies worldwide, primarily the U.S. Department of Defense and allied defense organizations [8] Financial Performance - Northrop Grumman's market capitalization is $72.6 billion, with a revenue of $40.37 billion and a net income of $3.71 billion for the trailing twelve months (TTM) [3] - The company reported a decline in sales and profits in Q1, primarily due to challenges in its space business, but has maintained its sales guidance of $42 billion to $42.5 billion for the full year, indicating a potential growth of approximately 2% [6][9] - Free cash flow (FCF) guidance for the year is set between $2.85 billion and $3.25 billion, suggesting a growth of around 10% at the lower end of the range [9] Investment Activity - LVM Capital Management increased its stake in Northrop Grumman by 6,237 shares during Q2 2025, bringing its total holding to 39,485 shares valued at $19.74 million [2] - The recent purchase totaled $3.16 million, adjusting the fund's allocation in Northrop Grumman to 2.05% of its reportable assets [2] Stock Performance - Northrop Grumman shares closed at $504.20 on July 7, 2025, reflecting a 15.3% increase over the past year and outperforming the S&P 500 by 3.4 percentage points [7] - The stock is currently trading 7% below its 52-week high, with a dividend yield of 1.84% and a forward price/earnings ratio of 19.9 [7] Backlog and Future Outlook - The company's backlog reached a record $92.8 billion, supported by net awards worth $10.8 billion in Q1, indicating strong demand in the defense sector [10] - Northrop Grumman anticipates its annual free cash flow to exceed $3.3 billion by 2027, with a significant portion expected to be returned to shareholders as dividends [10]