While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance. Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance. For th ...

Core Viewpoint - Northrop Grumman (NOC) is expected to report quarterly earnings of $6.75 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 6.1%, while revenues are anticipated to be $10.11 billion, showing a decrease of 1.1% compared to the previous year [1]. Earnings Estimates - Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate has been revised downward by 0.3%, indicating a collective reassessment by analysts [2]. - Changes in earnings estimates are crucial for predicting investor reactions, with empirical studies showing a strong correlation between earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price performance [3]. Key Metrics Projections - Analysts project 'Sales- Mission Systems' to reach $2.90 billion, a change of +4.8% year-over-year [5]. - 'Sales- Aeronautics Systems' is expected to be $3.15 billion, indicating a +6.4% change from the prior year [5]. - 'Sales- Space Systems' is forecasted to be $2.70 billion, reflecting a significant decrease of -24.3% year-over-year [5]. - 'Sales- Defense Systems' is anticipated to reach $1.86 billion, showing a +23% increase from the previous year [6]. Operating Income Projections - 'Operating income (loss)- Defense Systems' is expected to be $183.70 million, down from $204.00 million reported in the same quarter last year [6]. - 'Operating income (loss)- Mission Systems' is projected at $421.42 million, up from $361.00 million in the prior year [7]. - 'Operating income (loss)- Space Systems' is estimated to be $283.42 million, down from $324.00 million year-over-year [7]. - 'Operating income (loss)- Aeronautics Systems' is expected to reach $301.27 million, slightly up from $295.00 million in the same quarter last year [8]. - The consensus for 'Segment operating income adjustment- FAS/CAS operating adjustment' is $65.27 million, compared to $6.00 million in the previous year [8]. Stock Performance - Northrop Grumman shares have returned +5.1% over the past month, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +4.2% change [8].