NOC vs BA: which was the better investment?
Northrop Grumman Corporation against The Boeing Company on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Dec 31, 1981 to Jul 15, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did NOC beat BA?
Yes — measured from Dec 31, 1981 to Jul 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, NOC came out ahead: $2,163,862 versus $1,569,466 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 12.8% annual return against 12.0%.
What would $10,000 in NOC be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC) on Dec 31, 1981 would be worth about $2,163,862 as of Jul 15, 2026, a total return of 21538.6% (12.8% per year). The same $10,000 in BA would be worth $1,569,466.
Which was riskier — NOC or BA?
NOC swung with an annualized volatility of 27.4% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -69.4%; BA ran at 33.0% volatility with a -77.9% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.40 for NOC vs 0.30 for BA.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Dec 31, 1981 through Jul 15, 2026 — the full period where both assets have price history. Adjusted prices include dividends and splits, so these are total returns. The page refreshes with new market data every day.
Can I change the dates, amounts, or add monthly investing?
Yes — the interactive tool on this page is pre-loaded with NOC vs BA. You can set any start and end date, change the starting amount, add monthly contributions, or build a multi-asset portfolio and compare it against any benchmark.