MARKET TALK: Chance To Check Out Shipyard's Curb Appeal

14th Jul 2010 14:06

9:06 (Dow Jones) Defense industry executives joining Michelle Obama next week at the christening of a Coast Guard cutter built by Northrop Grumman (NOC) might want to nose around while visiting the Louisiana shipyard. NOC's new CEO Wes Bush sees few synergies between shipbuilding and its aerospace and electronics arms, and is looking at options for the unit that remains one of the largest suppliers to the US Navy. Its sensitive role in building nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines will limit the list of potential buyers. BAE Systems (BA.LN) is one of the few interested in the naval space and recently snapped up a US ship-repair business, though declines to comment on NOC's assets. Bush is due to brief analysts later today. ([email protected]) Call us at (212) 416-2181 or email [email protected] Visit the Market Talk blog at www.djnmarkettalk.com. (END) Dow Jones Newswires July 14, 2010 09:06 ET (13:06 GMT)