Some of the largest defense contractors on Wednesday reported relatively stable sales and profits, but warned they are keeping a close eye on a potential government spending stalemate. Northrop Grumman, for instance, said sales in its most recent quarter reached $5.9 billion, down about 2 percent from the same period the prior year. Quarterly profit grew about 4 percent to hit $531 million. Wes Bush, Northrop's chief executive, told analysts during a Wednesday call the contractor expects to begin fiscal...
