ngspform11k2012




______________________________________________
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 ____________________
FORM 11-K
 ____________________
(Mark One)
 
    þ
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012
OR
 
    ¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from              to             .
Commission file number: 1-16411
 
A.
Full title of the plan and address of the plan, if different from that of the issuer named below:
NORTHROP GRUMMAN SAVINGS PLAN
 
B.
Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its principal executive office:
NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORPORATION
2980 Fairview Park Drive
Falls Church, Virginia 22042
________________________________________________





Northrop Grumman Savings Plan
Financial Statements as of December 31, 2012 and 2011
and for the Year Ended December 31, 2012,
Supplemental Schedule as of December 31, 2012,
and Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm






NORTHROP GRUMMAN SAVINGS PLAN
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
 
Page
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
 
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTE:
 
All other schedules required by Section 2520.103-10 of the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 have been omitted because of the absence of conditions under which they are required.






REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Benefit Plan Administrative Committee of the
Northrop Grumman Savings Plan
We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of the Northrop Grumman Savings Plan (the “Plan”) as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related statement of changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2012. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Plan is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Plan’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Plan as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2012 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Our audits were conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The supplemental schedule of assets (held at end of year) as of December 31, 2012, is presented for the purpose of additional analysis and is not a required part of the basic financial statements, but is supplementary information required by the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. This schedule is the responsibility of the Plan’s management. Such schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in our audit of the basic 2012 financial statements and, in our opinion, are fairly stated in all material respects when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Los Angeles, California
June 25, 2013


1



NORTHROP GRUMMAN SAVINGS PLAN
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STATEMENTS OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31
$ in thousands
 
2012
 
2011
Assets
 
 
 
 
Investment in Northrop Grumman Defined Contribution Plans Master Trust—at fair value
 
         $
13,895,349

 
         $
12,624,528

Investment in Charles Schwab Personal Choice Retirement Account—at fair value
 
1,206,860

 
1,081,872

Short-term investments—at fair value
 
24,069

 
19,021

Total investments
 
15,126,278

 
13,725,421

Receivables
 
 
 
 
Notes receivable from participants
 
225,599

 
218,409

Participant contributions
 

 
310

Employer contributions
 

 
148

Total receivables
 
225,599

 
218,867

Total assets
 
15,351,877

 
13,944,288

 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities—accrued expenses
 
2,885

 
1,762

Total liabilities
 
2,885

 
1,762

 
 
 
 
 
Net assets available for benefits at fair value
 
15,348,992

 
13,942,526

Adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts
 
(241,688
)
 
(197,851
)
Net assets available for benefits
 
         $
15,107,304

 
         $
13,744,675

See notes to financial statements.


2



NORTHROP GRUMMAN SAVINGS PLAN
 
 
 
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2012
$ in thousands
Investment income
 
Plan interest in Northrop Grumman Defined Contribution Plans Master Trust
             $
1,372,407

Net appreciation in fair value of other investments
100,469

Dividends
19,079

Interest
498

Total investment income
1,492,453

 
 
Additions
 
Participant contributions
775,189

Employer contributions
296,497

Interest income on notes receivable from participants
9,019

Total additions
1,080,705

 
 
Deductions
 
Benefits paid to participants
(1,199,640
)
Administrative expenses
(11,394
)
Total deductions
(1,211,034
)
 
 
Transfers
 
Transfers from plan merged during the year
505

Total transfers
505

 
 
Increase in net assets
1,362,629

 
 
Net assets available for benefits
 
Beginning of year
13,744,675

End of year
             $
15,107,304

See notes to financial statements.

3



NORTHROP GRUMMAN SAVINGS PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2012 AND 2011, AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012
1. DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN
The following description of the Northrop Grumman Savings Plan (the “Plan”) provides only general information. Participants should refer to the Plan document for a more complete description of the Plan’s provisions.
General
The Plan is a qualified profit-sharing and stock bonus plan that includes an employee stock ownership plan sponsored by Northrop Grumman Corporation (the “Company”) established February 1, 1962, and restated effective August 1, 2010. It covers substantially all hourly and salaried employees of the Company who are at least 18 years old, are citizens or residents of the United States of America ("U.S.") and are not covered under another plan. Nonunion represented employees hired after June 30, 2008, are eligible to participate in this Plan in lieu of a defined benefit pension plan. The Plan's Benefit Plans Administrative and Investment Committees control and manage the operation of the Plan. State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street” or the “Trustee”) serves as the Trustee of the Plan. The Plan is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA").
All of the Plan’s investments are participant directed. The Plan holds assets in the Northrop Grumman Defined Contribution Plans Master Trust (the “DC Master Trust”) for its investments, except for temporary (short-term) investments and participant-directed brokerage accounts held in the Charles Schwab Personal Choice Retirement Account (PCRA).
Certain employees hired or rehired on or after July 1, 2008, who meet requirements, are eligible to receive an additional employer contribution known as a Retirement Account Contribution ("RAC"). RAC is calculated and credited each payroll date.
Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. Spin-Off
In 2011, the Company completed a spin-off of its shipbuilding business into Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (HII). In connection with the spin-off, the Plan received shares of HII common stock that were placed in the Huntington Ingalls Industries Stock Fund (“HII Stock Fund”). An orderly liquidation of the HII Stock Fund was completed in 2012.
Contributions
Participant contributions are subject to certain limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). Contributions can be made on a tax-deferred (before-tax) basis, to a Roth 401(k) on an after-tax basis, or a combination thereof through payroll withholdings. An active participant may change the percentage of his or her contributions at any time. First time eligible employee participants (newly hired, rehired, or certain transfers) are enrolled automatically into the Plan at a two percent tax-deferred contribution rate approximately 45 days after the date of hire, rehire, or transfer unless an alternative election is made. Such contributions are automatically increased by one percent each year thereafter up to a maximum percentage specified in the Plan document.

4





The Company’s matching contributions are generally as follows:
Employee Contribution
Company
Match
First 2% of eligible compensation
100
%
Next 2% of eligible compensation
50

Next 4% of eligible compensation
25

Contribution over 8%

The Company will credit participants who meet eligibility requirements with a RAC each pay period in an amount determined as a percentage of eligible compensation for each pay period in accordance with the following table:
Participant’s Age
Percentage of
Compensation
Less than 35
3
%
35 – 49
4

50 or older
5

Participant Accounts
An account is maintained for each participant. Each participant’s account is increased or decreased with the participant’s contribution, withdrawals, and allocations of (a) the Company contribution, (b) Plan earnings/losses, and (c) Plan expenses. Allocations are based on participant earnings on account balances, as defined in the Plan document. The benefit to which a participant is entitled is the benefit that can be provided from the participant’s vested account.
Vesting
Plan participants are fully vested at all times in the balance of their accounts for employee contributions and earnings thereon. Plan participants hired before May 1, 2012 are also fully vested at all times in the balance of their accounts for Company matching contributions and earnings thereon. Plan participants hired on or after May 1, 2012, other than participants covered under certain collective bargaining agreements, shall become fully vested in Company's matching contributions, and earnings thereon, upon completion of three years of service. RAC Participants fully vest in Company contributions, and earnings thereon, upon completion of three years of service.
Investment Options
Upon enrollment in the Plan, each participant directs their employee contributions and Company contributions in one percent increments, to be invested in any of the following investment funds. The investment funds are managed by professional investment managers appointed by the Plan’s Investment Committee.
Participants may change their investment elections daily. Existing account balances can be transferred daily between investment funds, subject to certain restrictions.
Contributions deposited into each investment fund are used to purchase units of that fund based on unit values that are updated daily prior to any Plan transactions, including contributions, withdrawals, distributions and transfers. The value of each participant’s account within each fund depends on two factors: (1) the number of units purchased to date and (2) the current value of each unit.
U.S. Equity Fund — The U.S. Equity Fund consists predominantly of holdings in large- and medium-sized U.S. company stocks. The fund’s objectives are to achieve a high total return through long-term growth of capital and the reinvestment of current income.
U.S. Fixed-Income Fund — The U.S. Fixed-Income Fund primarily consists of holdings in marketable, fixed-income securities rated within the three highest investment grades assigned by Moody’s Investor Services or Standard & Poor’s Corporation, U.S. Treasury or federal agency obligations, or cash equivalent instruments. The fund is diversified by investing in a range of fixed-income securities that mature, on average, in eight to 10 years.
Northrop Grumman Stable Value Fund — Investments in the Northrop Grumman Stable Value Fund ("Stable Value Fund") are diversified among U.S. government securities and obligations of government agencies, bonds, short-term investments, cash and investment contracts issued by insurance companies and banks (see Note 6).

5



Northrop Grumman Fund — The Northrop Grumman Fund (“NG Stock Fund”) invests primarily in Northrop Grumman Corporation common stock.
Balanced Fund — The Balanced Fund is designed to provide investors with a fully diversified portfolio consisting of targeted proportions of fixed-income securities (35 percent), U.S. equities (45 percent), and international equities (20 percent). The fund seeks to exceed the return of the bond market and approach the return of the stock market, but with less risk than an investment only in stocks.
International Equity Fund — The International Equity Fund consists of stocks of a diversified group of companies in developed countries outside the U.S.. The fund’s objectives are capital appreciation over the long term, along with current income (dividends).
Small Cap Fund — The Small Cap Fund consists of a diversified group of U.S. companies with lower market capitalization and higher revenue growth than the large, well-established companies that make up the S&P 500 Index. The objective is capital appreciation over the long term, rather than to provide current income.
Emerging Markets Fund — The Emerging Markets Fund consists of a diversified portfolio of stocks issued by companies based in developing countries. The fund’s objective is capital appreciation over the long term.
Retirement Path Portfolios — Each retirement path is a broadly diversified portfolio of funds consisting of equities, fixed-income securities, and other investments tailored to the investment time horizon of the investor. The name of each strategy reflects the year when the investor will most likely begin to draw interest and/or principal out of their portfolio. The portfolios are the Retirement Path, the 2020 Retirement Path, the 2030 Retirement Path, the 2040 Retirement Path, and the 2050 Retirement Path.
The plan also offers a self-directed brokerage account provided by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. The Schwab PCRA enables participants to invest among a selection of more than 6,000 available mutual funds and individual securities.
Participant Loans
Participants may borrow from their fund accounts with loans of a minimum of $1,000 up to a maximum equal to the lesser of $50,000 reduced by the highest outstanding loan balance over the past 12 months, or 50 percent of their vested account balance. A participant may not have more than two outstanding loans at any given time (except for those merged from other plans). Loans are prorated across the participants investment funds and secured by the balance in the participant’s account. The interest rate is fixed on the last business day of each month at the prime rate plus one percent. Repayments are made from payroll deductions (for active employees) or other form of payment (for former employees or employees on a leave of absence). The maximum loan period is five years, except that participants may obtain 15-year loans if used to acquire a dwelling that is the principal residence of the participant. In addition, loans transferred in as the result of a plan merger may have maximum loan periods greater than 15 years. Loans may be repaid early in full; partial early repayments are not permitted. As of December 31, 2012, participant loans have maturities through 2034 at interest rates ranging from 4.25 percent to 11.5 percent.
Payment of Benefits
On termination of employment with the Company (including termination due to death, disability, or retirement), a participant may receive a lump-sum payment of his or her entire account balance (net of any outstanding loan balances). A participant may also delay payment until age 70 1/2, if the account balance exceeds $1,000. Certain partial distributions after termination of employment and before age 70 1/2 are permitted by the Plan. Participants may rollover account balances to individual retirement accounts or another employer’s qualified retirement plan to postpone federal and most state income taxes. Participants with frozen account balances under a previous savings plan may be eligible to elect special distribution options under the previous plan.
Distributions from the NG Stock Fund may be paid in cash, stock, or a combination of both, depending on the participant’s election.
Withdrawals
A participant may withdraw all or a portion of his or her vested account (plus earnings) at any time, limited to one withdrawal per quarter. A participant may withdraw all or a portion of his or her before-tax contributions for any reason after reaching age 59 1/2, or prior to reaching age 59 1/2, in the case of hardship (as described in the Plan document). Withdrawals are limited to the amount of a participant’s account balance net of any loan balances outstanding and are subject to tax withholding as appropriate.

6



Forfeited Accounts
At December 31, 2012 and 2011, forfeited nonvested employer contributions and accounts in the RAC totaled $4,978,000 and $5,155,000 respectively. Any amounts forfeited may be used to reduce the Company's obligation to make Company matching contributions under the Plan or to offset Plan expenses. During the year ended December 31, 2012, employer contributions were reduced by $4,978,000 from forfeited nonvested accounts.
Plan Merger
One savings plan was merged into the Plan during 2012. In connection with the merger, net assets available for plan benefit of $505,000 was transferred into the Plan related to the merged savings plan’s participant accounts.
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Accounting
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP).
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and changes therein, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Risks and Uncertainties
The Plan invests in various securities, including U.S. and foreign government securities, corporate debt instruments, corporate stocks, asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities, registered investment companies, common/collective trust funds and a stable value fund. Investment securities, in general, are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, credit, U.S. and foreign government, and overall market volatility. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is reasonably possible that changes in the values of investment securities may occur in the near term, and those changes could materially affect the amounts reported in the financial statements.
Investment Valuation and Income Recognition
The Plan’s investments are stated at fair value as determined by the Trustee pursuant to the DC Master Trust Agreement as directed and overseen by the Investment Committee. Fair value of a financial instrument is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Plan’s investments, including the underlying investments in the DC Master Trust and PCRA, are valued as follows:
Investments in common and preferred stock are valued at the last reported sales price of the stock on the active market on which the securities are traded on the last business day of the plan year. The shares of registered investment companies are valued at quoted market prices that represent the net asset values of shares held by the Plan at year-end. Investments in common/collective trust funds and short-term investments funds are valued based on the redemption price of units owned by the Plan, which is based on the current fair value of each funds’ underlying net assets. Unit values are determined by the financial institution sponsoring such funds by dividing each funds’ net assets at fair value by its units outstanding at the valuation dates. Fair values for other securities, including U.S. government, corporate debt, mortgage-backed, asset-backed and other fixed-income securities, which are not exchange-traded, are valued using third-party pricing services. These pricing services use, for example, recent broker-dealer quotations or model-based pricing methods that use significant observable inputs such as relevant yield curves, credit information of the underlying security, prepayment projections, cash flows and other security characteristics, to determine fair value as of the last trading day of the year. If market values are not available from the above sources, the fair value is provided to the Trustee by the party with authority to trade in such securities (investment managers or the Investment Committee, as applicable).
The fair value of guaranteed investment contracts (GICs) held by the Plan through the Stable Value Fund of the DC Master Trust equals the total fair value of the underlying assets, plus the total contract rebid value, which is calculated by discounting the excess annual rebid fee over the duration of the contract assets. The GICs are considered to be fully benefit-responsive and therefore their carrying value is adjusted from fair market value to contract value in the statements of net assets available for benefits.
All securities and cash or cash equivalents are quoted in the local currency and then converted into U.S. dollars using the appropriate exchange rate obtained by the Trustee. Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on a trade-date basis. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Broker commissions, transfer taxes, and other charges and expenses incurred in connection with the purchase, sale, or other disposition of securities or other investments are added to the cost of such securities or other investments, or

7



are deducted from the proceeds of the sale or other disposition thereof, as appropriate. Taxes, if any, on fund assets, or on any gain resulting from the sale or other disposition of such assets, or on the earnings of the funds, are apportioned among the participants whose interests in the Plan are affected, and the share of such taxes is apportioned to each such person is charged against his or her account in the Plan.
The Trustee relies on the prices provided by pricing sources, the investment managers, the Investment Committee or the participant’s broker as a certification as to value in performing any valuations or calculations required of the Trustee.
The DC Master Trust allocates investment income, realized gains and losses, and unrealized appreciation and depreciation on the underlying securities to the participating plans daily based upon the market value of each plan’s investment. The unrealized appreciation or depreciation amount is the aggregate difference between the current fair market value and the cost of investments. The realized gain or loss on investments is the difference between the proceeds received and the average cost of investments sold.
Participant Loans
Participant loans are measured at their outstanding balances, plus accrued interest.
Expenses
Plan expenses are paid by either the Plan or the Plan’s sponsor as provided in the Plan document.
Payment of Benefits
Benefit payments to participants are recorded upon distribution. Amounts allocated to accounts of participants who have elected to withdraw from the Plan but have not yet been paid were $3,140,000 and $2,161,000 at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and such amounts continue to accrue investment earnings (losses) until paid.
Accounting Standards Updates
Accounting standards updates effective after December 31, 2012, are not expected to have a material effect on the Plan's statement of net assets available for benefits or statement of changes in net assets available for benefits.
3. INVESTMENTS
The Plan’s investments consist of a proportionate interest in certain investments held by the DC Master Trust. Those investments are stated at fair values determined and reported by the Trustee, in accordance with the DC Master Trust Agreement established by the Company.
Proportionate interests of each participating plan are determined based on the standard trust method of accounting for master trust arrangements. Plan assets represent 96 percent of total net assets reported by the Trustee of the DC Master Trust as of December 31, 2012 and 2011.

8



The net assets of the DC Master Trust as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, are as follows:
$ in thousands

2012
Assets


Cash equivalents and short-term investment funds

     $
171,030

Equities



Common and preferred stock

1,058,806

Common/collective trust funds

7,489,593

Fixed income



U.S. and foreign government securities

321,957

Corporate debt instruments

213,974

Asset- and mortgage-backed securities

330,141

Common/collective trust funds

942,660

Guaranteed investment contracts

2,849,065

Collateral held under securities lending agreements

1,152,626

Assets on loan to third-party borrowers

1,129,452

Total investments

15,659,304

Receivable from broker for investments sold

721

Dividends, interest, taxes and other receivables

6,905

Total assets

15,666,930




Liabilities


Collateral held under securities lending agreements

1,152,626

Due to broker for securities purchased

44,316

Total liabilities

1,196,942

Net assets of the DC Master Trust — at fair value

14,469,988

Adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts

(248,674
)
Net assets of the DC Master Trust

     $
14,221,314



9



$ in thousands

2011
Assets


Common/collective trust funds

    $ 7,021,143
Guaranteed investment contracts

2,675,795

Common and preferred stock

1,190,071

Asset- and mortgage-backed securities

339,798

Cash equivalents and short-term investment funds

301,346

U.S. and foreign government securities

198,131

Corporate debt instruments

192,015

Assets on loan to third-party borrowers

1,285,714

Collateral held under securities lending agreements

1,312,231

Total investments

14,516,244

Receivable from broker for investments sold

2,366

Dividends, interest, taxes and other receivables

7,637

Total assets

    $14,526,247



Liabilities


Collateral held under securities lending agreements

1,312,231

Due to broker for securities purchased

27,684

Total liabilities

1,339,915

Net assets of the DC Master Trust — at fair value

13,186,332

Adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts

(203,733
)
Net assets of the DC Master Trust

    $12,982,599
Investment income for the DC Master Trust for the Plan year ended December 31, 2012, is as follows:
$ in thousands
2012
Investment income

Net appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of investments

Equities


Common and preferred stock
       $
189,451

Common/collective trust funds
1,013,601

Fixed income


U.S. and foreign government securities
84

Corporate debt instruments
10,808

Asset- and mortgage-backed securities
(3,194
)
Common/collective trust funds
31,581

Net appreciation
1,242,331

Interest
146,612

Dividends
46,595

Other income
2,165

Stock loan income
484

Investment manager fees
(3,716
)
Other expenses
(9,973
)
Total investment income
       $
1,424,498


10



Investments, other than the Plan’s investment in the DC Master Trust, that represent five percent or more of the Plan’s net assets available for benefits are as follows:
 
 
December 31
$ in thousands
 
2012
 
2011
Schwab Personal Choice Retirement Account
 
             $
1,206,860

 
           $
1,081,872

The DC Master Trust participates in a securities lending program with the Trustee. The program allows the Trustee to loan securities, which are assets of the DC Master Trust, to approved borrowers. The Trustee requires borrowers, pursuant to a security loan agreement, to deliver collateral to secure each loan. The collateral required is 102 percent of the fair value of U.S. securities borrowed and 105 percent for foreign securities borrowed. The DC Master Trust bears the risk of loss with respect to any unfavorable change in fair value of the invested cash collateral. However, the borrower bears the risk of loss related to the decrease in the fair value of the securities collateral and, therefore, may have to deliver additional cash or securities to maintain the required collateral. In the event of default by the borrower, the Trustee shall indemnify the DC Master Trust against any loss of the amount loaned.
DC Master Trust Assets on loan to third-party borrowers under security lending agreements are as follows:


December 31
$ in thousands

2012

2011
Underlying securities of guaranteed investment contracts

             $
973,336


             $
1,040,296

Fixed income
 
 
 
 
U.S. and foreign government securities

123,228


214,415

Corporate debt instruments

32,888


31,003

DC Master Trust Assets on loan to third-party borrowers

             $
1,129,452


             $
1,285,714

Such assets could be subject to sale restrictions in the event security lending agreements are terminated and the securities have not been returned to the DC Master Trust. The DC Master Trust held approximately $1,152,626,000 consisting of cash, U.S. Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities, and $1,312,231,000 consisting primarily of cash equivalents of collateral for securities on loan as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
4. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Derivative financial instruments may be used by the investment managers of the DC Master Trust as part of their respective strategies. These strategies include the use of credit default swaps, futures contracts, and interest rate swaps. Notional amounts disclosed below do not quantify risk or represent assets or liabilities of the DC Master Trust, but are used in the calculation of the cash settlements under the contracts.
Derivative financial instruments are recorded as assets or liabilities of the DC Master Trust and measured at fair value primarily as part of the GICs. Changes in the fair value of the derivative instruments are reflected in investment income as appreciation (depreciation) in the DC Master Trust. During 2012 and 2011, these derivative financial instruments were not entered into for hedging purposes and do not qualify for hedge accounting. The volume of derivative activity during 2012 was comparable to that which is held at year-end.
The notional amounts and fair values, by primary risk exposure, are presented as gross assets and liabilities as follows:


December 31
$ in thousands

2012

2011
 

Credit Contracts

Interest Rate Contracts

Credit Contracts

Interest Rate  Contracts
 

Credit
Default
Swaps

U.S.
Treasury
Futures

Credit
Default
Swaps

U.S.
Treasury
Futures
Fair value of asset

$


               $
1,129


                 $
12


               $
289

Fair value of liability



(7
)

(667
)

(917
)
Notional amount



(107,979
)

38,535


(94,020
)
Net gain / (loss) for credit default swaps and U.S. treasury futures for the year ended December 31, 2012, were $433,000 and $(2,866,000), respectively.

11



Credit Default Swaps
The DC Master Trust enters into credit default swap contracts in the normal course of its investing activities to manage exposure to credit risk by either reducing risk exposure to a default of corporate and sovereign issuers, or to increase exposure to corporate and sovereign issuers to which it is not otherwise exposed. The credit risk associated with these contracts is minimal as they are entered into with a limited number of highly rated counterparties.
Futures Contracts 
The DC Master Trust enters into futures contracts in the normal course of investing activities to manage market risk associated with equity and fixed-income investments and to achieve overall investment portfolio objectives. These contracts involve elements of market risk in excess of amounts recognized in the statements of net assets available for benefits. The credit risk associated with these contracts is minimal as they are traded on organized exchanges and settled daily. The terms of these contracts typically do not exceed one year. Notional amounts related to these contracts in the table above are stated as a net buy (sell) position.

12



5. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The Plan utilizes fair value measurement guidelines prescribed by GAAP to value financial instruments. The guidance includes a definition of fair value, prescribes methods for measuring fair value, establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value and expands disclosures about the use of fair value measurements.
The valuation techniques utilized are based upon observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect internal market assumptions. Assets are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
These two types of inputs create the following fair value hierarchy:
Level 1 - Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets. Level 1 investments of the DC Master Trust and the Plan primarily include common stock, preferred stock, open-end mutual funds, closed-end mutual funds based on pricing, frequency of trading and other market considerations.
Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable. Level 2 investments of the DC Master Trust and the Plan primarily include short-term investment funds and common/collective trust funds based on the use of net asset valuations derived by investment managers and fixed-income securities based on broker quotes or model-derived valuations. There are no unfunded commitments, redemption notice periods or other redemption restrictions for the common/collective trust funds or short-term investments funds.
Level 3 - Significant inputs to the valuation model are unobservable. There were no Level 3 investments in the Plan during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.
There have been no transfers of investments between Level 1 and Level 2 during 2012 and 2011.
The table below sets forth the fair value hierarchy of the investments, by level, on a recurring basis, held by the DC Master Trust as of December 31, 2012:

13



 
 
2012
($ in thousands)

Level 1

Level 2

Total
DC Master Trust






Cash equivalents

        $
5,774


       $
165,256


       $
171,030

Equities






Domestic

1,058,806




1,058,806

Common/collective trust funds






Domestic



4,276,748


4,276,748

International



1,743,590


1,743,590

Retirement Path Funds (Note 1)



1,469,255


1,469,255

Total equities

1,058,806


7,489,593


8,548,399

Fixed income






U.S. Treasuries



369,716


369,716

Corporate debt



246,862


246,862

Asset- and mortgage-backed securities



330,141


330,141

Common/collective trust funds



942,660


942,660

U.S. government agency



57,520


57,520

Non-U.S. government



17,949


17,949

Total fixed income



1,964,848


1,964,848

Guaranteed investment contracts






Separate insurance contract



647,315


647,315

Synthetic guaranteed investment contracts






U.S. Treasuries



1,474,948


1,474,948

Corporate debt



901,788


901,788

Asset- and mortgage-backed securities



545,321


545,321

U.S. government agency



155,404


155,404

Non-U.S. government



6,614


6,614

Cash equivalents



89,907


89,907

Other



1,104


1,104

Total guaranteed investment contracts



3,822,401


3,822,401

Collateral held under securities lending agreements






Cash and cash equivalents



759,176


759,176

Other



393,450


393,450

Total DC Master Trust

        $
1,064,580


       $
14,594,724


       $
15,659,304

The table below sets forth the fair value hierarchy, by level, of the investments, on a recurring basis, held by the Plan as of December 31, 2012:
 
 
2012
($ in thousands)
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Total
Other Plan investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
PCRA
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
        $
254,848

 
             $
4,744

 
        $
259,592

Fixed income
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. treasuries
 

 
1,212

 
1,212

Corporate debt
 

 
4,493

 
4,493

U.S. government agency
 

 
1,022

 
1,022

Total fixed income
 

 
6,727

 
6,727

Mutual funds
 
542,586

 

 
542,586

Common stock
 
394,419

 

 
394,419

Preferred stock
 
2,014

 

 
2,014

Other
 
1,522

 

 
1,522

Total PCRA
 
1,195,389

 
11,471

 
1,206,860

State Street Bank and Trust Company cash or short-term investment accounts
 

 
24,069

 
24,069

Total other Plan investments
 
        $
1,195,389

 
             $
35,540

 
        $
1,230,929


14



The table below sets forth the fair value hierarchy of the investments, by level, on a recurring basis, held by the DC Master Trust as of December 31, 2011:
 
 
2011
($ in thousands)
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Total
DC Master Trust
 

 

 

Cash equivalents
 
$

 
       $
301,347

 
       $
301,347

Equities
 

 

 

Domestic
 
1,189,671

 

 
1,189,671

Common/collective trust funds:
 

 

 

Domestic
 

 
3,800,724

 
3,800,724

International
 

 
1,426,583

 
1,426,583

Retirement Path Funds (Note 1)
 

 
1,035,347

 
1,035,347

Total equities
 
1,189,671

 
6,262,654

 
7,452,325

Fixed income
 

 

 

U.S. Treasuries
 

 
340,752

 
340,752

Corporate debt
 

 
221,799

 
221,799

Asset- and mortgage-backed securities
 

 
339,798

 
339,798

Common/collective trust funds
 

 
758,488

 
758,488

U.S. government agency
 

 
56,906

 
56,906

Non-U.S. government
 

 
16,507

 
16,507

Total fixed income
 

 
1,734,250

 
1,734,250

Guaranteed investment contracts
 

 

 

Separate insurance contract
 

 
620,153

 
620,153

Synthetic guaranteed investment contracts
 

 

 

U.S. Treasuries
 

 
1,175,545

 
1,175,545

Corporate debt
 

 
1,057,021

 
1,057,021

Asset- and mortgage-backed securities
 

 
553,089

 
553,089

U.S. government agency
 

 
173,513

 
173,513

Non-U.S. government
 

 
15,204

 
15,204

Cash equivalents
 

 
122,196

 
122,196

Other
 

 
(630
)
 
(630
)
Total guaranteed investment contracts
 

 
3,716,091

 
3,716,091

Collateral held under securities lending agreements
 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents
 

 
1,053,748

 
1,053,748

Other
 

 
258,483

 
258,483

Total DC Master Trust
 
         $
1,189,671

 
       $
13,326,573

 
       $
14,516,244


15



The table below sets forth the fair value hierarchy, by level, of the investments, on a recurring basis, held by the Plan as of December 31, 2011:
 
 
2011
($ in thousands)
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Total
Other Plan investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
PCRA
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
         $
223,489

 
             $
4,964

 
         $
228,453

Fixed income
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. treasuries
 

 
1,151

 
1,151

Corporate debt
 

 
4,104

 
4,104

U.S. government agency
 

 
980

 
980

Total fixed income
 

 
6,235

 
6,235

Mutual funds
 
507,278

 

 
507,278

Common stock
 
335,907

 

 
335,907

Preferred stock
 
1,565

 

 
1,565

Other
 
2,434

 

 
2,434

Total PCRA
 
1,070,673

 
11,199

 
1,081,872

State Street Bank and Trust Company cash or short-term investment accounts
 

 
19,021

 
19,021

Total other Plan investments
 
         $
1,070,673

 
             $
30,220

 
         $
1,100,893

6. INTEREST IN NORTHROP GRUMMAN STABLE VALUE FUND
The DC Master Trust includes amounts in the Stable Value Fund, which was established for the investment of assets of certain savings plans sponsored by the Company and its affiliates. Each participating savings plan has an undivided interest in the Stable Value Fund. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Plan’s interest in the net assets of the Stable Value Fund was approximately 97 percent of the total fund value. Investment income and administrative expenses relating to the Stable Value Fund are allocated among the participating plans on a daily basis.
Investments held in the Stable Value Fund are as follows:


December 31
$ in thousands

2012

2011
Guaranteed investment contracts (at contract value)

              $
3,573,728


              $
3,512,358

Cash and cash equivalents

117,584


267,813

Total

              $
3,691,312


              $
3,780,171

Investment income of the Stable Value Fund totaled $111,678,000 for the year ended December 31, 2012.
The DC Master Trust has an arrangement with the investment manager of the Stable Value Fund whereby the investment manager has the ability to borrow amounts from third parties to satisfy liquidity needs of the Stable Value Fund, if necessary. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, no borrowings under this arrangement were outstanding.
The Stable Value Fund holds wrapper contracts in order to manage the market risk and return of certain securities held by the Stable Value Fund. The wrapper contracts generally modify the investment characteristics of certain underlying securities such that they perform in a manner similar to guaranteed investment contracts. These contracts, known as synthetic guaranteed investment contracts (SICs), provide that realized and unrealized gains and losses on the underlying assets are not reflected immediately in the net assets of the Stable Value Fund, but rather are amortized, at a maximum over the duration of the underlying assets, through adjustments to the future interest-crediting rate. Primary variables affecting the future crediting rate of the wrap contracts include current yield of the underlying assets within the wrap contract, duration of the underlying assets covered by the wrap contract, and the existing difference between market value and contract value of the underlying assets within the wrap contract. Each wrapper contract and the related underlying assets comprise the SICs, which are recorded at contract value. Contract value represents contributions made under the contract, plus interest at the contract rate, less withdrawals and contract administrative expenses.

16



The fair value of the underlying assets related to the GICs which includes a separate insurance contract and SICs, was $3,822,401,000 and $3,716,091,000 as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and the fair value of the wrapper contracts was zero and $389,000 at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The weighted-average yield (excluding administrative expenses) for all investment contracts was 1.08 percent and 1.67 percent at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Average duration for all investment contracts was 3.24 years and 3.06 years at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The crediting interest rate for all investment contracts was 2.65 percent and 3.06 percent at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Crediting interest rates are reset on a monthly basis and guaranteed by the wrapper contracts to be not less than zero. Resets are determined based upon the market-to-book ratio, along with the yield and duration of the underlying investments.
In certain circumstances, the amounts withdrawn from a wrapper contract would be payable at fair value rather than at contract value. These events include termination of the Plan, a material adverse change to the provisions of the Plan, a withdrawal from a wrapper contract in order to switch to a different investment provider, or adoption of a successor plan (in the event of the spin-off or sale of a division) that does not meet the wrapper contract issuer’s underwriting criteria for issuance of a clone wrapper contract. Plan management believes that the events described above that could result in the payment of benefits at fair value rather than contract value are not probable of occurring in the foreseeable future.

17



7. EXEMPT PARTY-IN-INTEREST TRANSACTIONS
Party-in-interest transactions through the DC Master Trust include the purchase and sale of investments managed by affiliates of the Plan's Trustee, transactions involving Northrop Grumman Corporation common stock, and payments made to the Company for certain Plan administrative costs. The NG Stock Fund within the DC Master Trust held 15,667,446 and 18,860,833 shares of common stock of the Company with a fair value of $1,058,806,000 and $1,102,982,000 at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Plan’s interest in the net assets of the NG Stock Fund was approximately 99.8 percent and 99.7 percent at December 31, 2012, and 2011, respectively. During 2012, the NG Stock Fund earned dividends of $37,804,226 from its investment in Northrop Grumman Corporation common stock. A significant decline in the market value of the Company’s common stock would significantly affect the net assets available for benefits.
State Street affiliates managed $24,069,000 and $19,021,000 of Plan assets held in the short-term investment fund as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Plan paid $791,000 to the Trustee in fees for the year ended December 31, 2012. The Plan had transactions with the Trustee’s short-term investment fund, a liquidity pooled fund in which participation commences and terminates on a daily basis. In Plan management’s opinion, fees paid during the year for services rendered by parties-in-interest were based upon customary and reasonable rates for such services.
The DC Master Trust utilized various investment managers to manage its net assets. These net assets may be invested into funds also managed by the investment managers. Therefore, these transactions qualify as party-in-interest transactions.
8. PLAN TERMINATION
Although it has not expressed any intention to do so, the Company has the right under the Plan to discontinue its contributions at any time and to terminate the Plan subject to ERISA provisions. In the event of the Plan’s termination, the interests of all participants in their accounts are 100 percent vested.
9. FEDERAL INCOME TAX STATUS
The Plan obtained its latest determination letter dated November 5, 2012, in which the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) determined that the Plan’s terms at the time of the determination letter application were in compliance with applicable sections of the Code and, therefore, the related trust is exempt from taxation. Management believes the Plan and related trust are currently designed and operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Code. Therefore, no provision for income taxes has been included in the Plan’s financial statements. GAAP requires Plan management to evaluate tax positions taken by the Plan and recognize a tax liability (or asset) if the Plan has taken an uncertain position that more likely than not would not be sustained upon examination by the IRS. The Plan is subject to routine audits by taxing jurisdictions and is currently under audit by the IRS for the 2008 tax year. No matters that would impact the financial statements have been noted to date. The Plan administrator believes it is no longer subject to income tax examinations for years prior to 2008. Based on information available to date, Plan management does not believe that the outcome of the matter is likely to have a material adverse effect on the Plan’s financial position as of December 31, 2012.

18



10. RECONCILIATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO FORM 5500
A reconciliation of net assets available for benefits per the financial statements to Form 5500 is as follows:
 
 
December 31
$ in thousands
 
2012
 
2011
Net assets available for benefits per the financial statements
 
                $
15,107,304

 
                $
13,744,675

Less amounts allocated to withdrawing participants
 
(3,140
)
 
(2,161
)
Net assets available for benefits per Form 5500
 
                $
15,104,164

 
                $
13,742,514

A reconciliation of benefits paid to participants per the financial statements to Form 5500 for the year ended December 31, 2012, is as follows:
$ in thousands
 
Benefits paid to participants per the financial statements
                  $
1,199,640

Add amounts allocated to withdrawing participants at December 31, 2012
3,140

Less amounts allocated to withdrawing participants at December 31, 2011
(2,161
)
Benefits paid to participants per Form 5500
                  $
1,200,619

Amounts allocated to withdrawing participants are recorded on Form 5500 for benefit claims that have been processed and approved for payment prior to December 31, 2012 and 2011, but not yet paid as of that date.
* * * * * *






NORTHROP GRUMMAN SAVINGS PLAN

FORM 5500, SCHEDULE H, PART IV, LINE 4i,
SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR)
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2012

$ in thousands
(a)
 
(b)
 
(c)
 
(d)
 
(e)
 
 
 
 
Identity of Issuer, Borrower,
Lessor, or Similar Party
 
Description of Investment,
Including Maturity Date, Rate of
Interest, Collateral, and Par or
Maturity Value
 
Cost    
 
Current
Value
 
 
*
 
Northrop Grumman Defined Contribution Plans Master Trust
 
Participation in Northrop Grumman Defined Contribution Plans Master Trust
 
**
 
      $
13,895,349

 
*** 
*
 
Charles Schwab
 
Schwab Personal Choice Retirement Account
 
**
 
1,206,860

 
  
*
 
Plan Participants
 
Participant loans (maturing 2012 to 2034 at interest rates ranging from 4.25 percent to 11.5 percent)
 
**
 
225,599

 
  
*
 
State Street Bank and Trust Company
 
Participation in the Short-Term Investment Fund Accounts
 
**
 
24,069

 
  
 
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
      $
15,351,877

 
  

 
 
 
*
 
Party-in-interest
**
 
Cost information is not required for participant-directed investments and loans, and therefore is not included.
***
 
Excludes adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts.


20



SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the trustees (or other persons who administer the employee benefit plan) have duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NORTHROP GRUMMAN SAVINGS PLAN
 
 
 
 
Dated: June 25, 2013
 
 
 
By:
 
/s/ Denise Peppard
 
 
 
 
 
 
Denise Peppard
Chairman, Benefit Plans Administrative Committees


21




EXHIBIT INDEX
*23
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
 
*
Filed with this report


22