
Northrop Grumman [NOC] on Thursday posted solid third quarter financial results driven by strong operating performance at its business segments and pension gains, helping the company overcome higher taxes. Net income increased 6 percent to $986 million, $5.89 earnings per share (EPS), from $933 million ($5.49 EPS) a year ago, slamming consensus estimates by 27 cents per share. Sales increased 7 percent to $9.1 billion from $8.5 billion a year ago. All four of the company’s operating segments generated higher…