Executives from some of the largest defense contractors on April 26 reported bolstered profits in the most recent quarter and struck an upbeat tone about U.S. defense spending, though one executive said the increase will likely be modest. Northrop Grumman reported sales in its most recent quarter grew 5 percent to reach almost $6.3 billion. The contractor’s quarterly profit hit $640 million, up about 15 percent from the same three-month period the prior year. The company's aerospace systems business reported...
