Statistically, the NOC stock forecast benefits from historical correlation patterns with defense index benchmarks. Price retracements tend to be shallow, often followed by renewed upward thrusts within 2–3 weeks. The Boeing Company BA recently clinched a modification contract to provide service life extension of F/A-18 Block II Super Hornet aircraft from 6,000 flight hours to 10,000 flight hours. The award has been provided by the Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, MD. Valued at $198 million, the contract also provides for integration of Block III avionics capabilities for the Navy and is slated to be completed by February 2027. The work related to this deal will be carried out in San Diego, CA; San Antonio, TX; and St. Louis, MO. Northrop Grumman is up 18.8% since the beginning of the year, and at $556.17 per share, has set a new 52-week high. Investors who bought $1,000 worth of Northrop Grumman’s shares 5 years ago would now be looking at an investment worth $1,760. NOC stock forecast from recent brokerage updates suggests outperformance versus S&P Aerospace & Defense index. Relative strength index stays above 60, signaling persistent buying interest while dividend yield remains attractive in defensive portfolios.