Northrop 4Q report

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Northrop Grumman, hurt by a $3.06 billion charge connected to past acquisitions says it posted a fourth-quarter loss of $2.54 billion, or $7.76 per share, in the latest quarter. It earned $457 million, or $1.32 per share, in the same period last year. Excluding the charge, Northrop says it earned $524 million, or $1.57 per share. (Source: Northrop Grumman, 02/03/09) Gulf Coast note: Northrop Grumman has multiple operations in the Gulf Coast, including an unmanned systems center in Moss Point, Miss.