Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) reported earnings on July 24. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended June 30 (Q2), Northrop Grumman beat expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue was unchanged. GAAP earnings per share grew.

Margins expanded across the board.

Revenue details
 Northrop Grumman reported revenue of $6.29 billion. The 14 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ hoped for revenue of $5.96 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were the same as the prior-year quarter's.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
 EPS came in at $2.05. The 20 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $1.71 per share. GAAP EPS of $2.05 for Q2 were 9.0% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.88 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
 For the quarter, gross margin was 22.1%, 50 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 12.8%, 50 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 7.8%, 10 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $5.95 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.73.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $24.02 billion. The average EPS estimate is $7.18.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 806 members out of 870 rating the stock outperform, and 64 members rating it underperform. Among 263 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 256 give Northrop Grumman a green thumbs-up, and seven give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Northrop Grumman is hold, with an average price target of $79.59.

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