Group 1 - Gabelli Funds, LLC is hosting the annual Aerospace & Defense Symposium on September 4, 2025, at The Harvard Club in New York City, focusing on strong demand outlook and high barriers to entry in the industry [1] - The symposium will feature top executives from over ten companies, discussing themes such as large aftermarket opportunities, growth exceeding GDP, defense spending, and M&A potential [1] - Attendees will have the opportunity for one-on-one meetings with management, enhancing networking and investment insights [1] Group 2 - Featured companies at the symposium include AIRO Group Holdings, Elbit Systems, Albany International, Graham Corporation, and several others, indicating a diverse representation within the Aerospace and Defense sector [2] - The event is set to start at 8:30 am, providing a structured schedule for discussions and networking [3]

Core Insights - The second-quarter 2025 reporting cycle for defense stocks has begun, with major S&P 500 defense contractors like Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Textron, and General Dynamics reporting better-than-expected earnings [1] - Optimism remains for the upcoming results of other defense majors due to escalating geopolitical tensions driving demand for defense products and services [2] - Companies like Archer Aviation and Heico Corp are anticipated to exceed earnings expectations in this reporting cycle [3] Industry Overview - Global defense spending is increasing amid geopolitical instability, particularly due to conflicts in the Middle East, with the U.S. government proposing a 13% increase in defense spending to $1.01 trillion for fiscal 2026 [4] - Increased budget allocations are expected to lead to higher order volumes from the Pentagon and allied governments, enhancing revenue prospects for U.S. defense contractors [5] - Ongoing conflicts, such as the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Iran wars, have contributed to revenue growth in the defense sector, with the U.S. providing $66.9 billion in military assistance to Ukraine since February 2022 [6] - The U.S. has 751 active Foreign Military Sales cases valued at $39.2 billion with Israel, which is expected to boost order growth for U.S. defense manufacturers [7] - Companies like General Dynamics are benefiting from growth in both defense and commercial aerospace sectors, with a reported 4.1% year-over-year growth in its Aerospace segment [8] Challenges - The defense sector faces challenges such as skilled labor shortages, supply-chain disruptions, and new import tariffs imposed by the U.S. government, which may impact production and delivery timelines [9] Earnings Projections - The Aerospace sector is projected to see a year-over-year earnings surge of 11.5% on 24.8% sales growth for the second quarter [12] - Archer Aviation is advancing its defense aircraft program and raised $301.8 million in February 2025, with an expected earnings loss of 19 cents per share, an improvement from the previous year's loss [16][17] - Heico, a U.S. Department of Defense Prime Contractor, is expected to show solid growth in its Defense and Space unit, with earnings projected at $1.12 per share, reflecting a 15.5% year-over-year improvement [18][19]

Momentum investing revolves around the idea of following a stock's recent trend in either direction. In "long context," investors will be essentially be "buying high, but hoping to sell even higher." With this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock's price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving that way. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades. While many investors like to look for momentum ...

Group 1 - Morgan Stanley analyst Kristine Liwag raised the target price for HEI.US from $305 to $330 while maintaining a "hold" rating, reflecting strong performance in the aerospace sector, which has reached historical high valuation multiples [1] - The expansion of valuation multiples indicates industry resilience, with a positive development trend expected to continue [1] - In Q2 FY2025, HEI.US achieved record combined operating profit and net sales, with year-over-year increases of 19% and 15%, respectively [1] Group 2 - Operating cash flow significantly increased by 45%, reaching $204.7 million [1] - By business segment, the Flight Support division saw net sales grow by 19% to $767.1 million, while the Electronic Technology division's net sales increased by 7% to $342.2 million [1] - The company is primarily engaged in the research, manufacturing, and sales of aerospace, defense, and electronic-related products and services, with operations in the U.S. and global markets [1]

Core Insights - Aerospace-Defense Equipment stocks are expected to benefit from strategic mergers and acquisitions, enhancing operational scale and market presence, despite ongoing supply-chain challenges affecting aircraft deliveries and profitability [1][3][5]. Industry Overview - The Zacks Aerospace-Defense Equipment industry includes firms manufacturing essential components for aerospace and defense, such as aerostructures, propulsion systems, and defense electronics, while also providing aftermarket support services [2]. Trends Shaping the Industry - Recent mergers and acquisitions, such as TransDigm's $110 million acquisition of Servotronics and Teledyne's acquisition of Maretron assets, are expected to improve economies of scale and revenue growth [3]. - Global air passenger traffic is projected to grow by 5.8% year-over-year in 2025, indicating strong growth potential for aerospace-defense equipment stocks, particularly in commercial aviation [4]. Supply Chain Challenges - Supply-chain disruptions are impacting aircraft deliveries, with current deliveries 30% below peak levels, contributing to a backlog of 17,000 aircraft, which represents an 18% shortfall of the active global fleet [5]. Industry Performance - The Zacks Aerospace-Defense Equipment industry has outperformed both the S&P 500 composite and its sector, with a collective stock surge of 46.2% over the past year compared to 27.1% for the Aerospace sector and 10.9% for the S&P 500 [8]. Valuation Metrics - The industry is currently trading at an EV/Sales ratio of 11.14X, significantly higher than the S&P 500's 5.41X and the sector's 3.27X, indicating a premium valuation for capital-intensive aerospace-defense stocks [11]. Notable Companies - **Heico Corp.**: Expected to see a 13.3% sales improvement in fiscal 2025, with a long-term earnings growth rate of 17.6% [15][16]. - **AAR Corp.**: Anticipated 17.2% sales growth in fiscal 2025, with a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [17][18]. - **Curtiss-Wright**: Projected 8.8% sales growth in fiscal 2025, recently awarded an $80 million contract by the USAF [20][22].

Group 1 - The European Commission has proposed a retaliatory tariff list against U.S. goods valued at €72 billion (approximately $84 billion), including Boeing aircraft, automobiles, bourbon whiskey, and various industrial and agricultural products [1] - The proposed tariffs are a response to U.S. President Trump's threat to raise tariffs on EU goods to 30% starting August 1, which could significantly impact transatlantic trade relations [1] - The tariff list focuses on industrial products, with over €65 billion in value, including nearly €11 billion in aircraft-related products, over €9.4 billion in machinery, €8 billion in automobiles, and €6 billion in agricultural products [1] Group 2 - Affected automotive manufacturers include major U.S. and European companies such as General Motors, Ford, Stellantis, Tesla, Volkswagen, and Toyota, with concerns that tariffs will increase costs, reduce sales, and potentially lead to layoffs [2] - The automotive industry is one of the most severely impacted sectors, with European manufacturers like Volkswagen and BMW facing potential losses in sales amounting to billions of euros due to tariffs [2] - The scale and scope of the tariff measures highlight the escalation of trade tensions between the U.S. and EU, with the EU emphasizing compliance with World Trade Organization rules while warning of the deep economic impacts of a tit-for-tat tariff war [2] Group 3 - The World Trade Organization (WTO) has warned that U.S. tariff policies may lead to a decline in global trade volumes, negatively affecting the global economy [3] - WTO Director-General Iweala stated that U.S. tariff policies violate core WTO principles and are detrimental to the global economy [3]

Market Overview - Wall Street reached record-high levels despite a turbulent first half of 2025, with the second quarter being the best for U.S. stocks in the past year, driven by expectations of key trade deals and reduced recession fears [1] - The Federal Reserve indicated two more cuts in the benchmark lending rate for the second half of the year, contributing to the ongoing bull run in U.S. stock markets, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite hitting all-time highs [2] Company Highlights HEICO Corp. (HEI) - HEICO is experiencing increased orders for aftermarket replacement parts and repair services, supported by rising air travel and solid U.S. defense funding, which is expected to enhance order flows for its defense products [6][7] - The company has an expected revenue growth rate of 13.3% and earnings growth rate of 24.5% for the current year, with a 0.7% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings over the last week [8] Howmet Aerospace Inc. (HWM) - Howmet Aerospace is benefiting from strong momentum in the commercial aerospace market and robust defense aerospace activity, particularly from the F-35 program [11][12] - The expected revenue growth rate for HWM is 8.6% and earnings growth rate is 29% for the current year, with a 0.2% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings over the last 30 days [12] Interactive Brokers Group Inc. (IBKR) - Interactive Brokers is a global automated electronic broker focusing on proprietary software development and expanding its global footprint, with projected total net revenues seeing a CAGR of 6.5% by 2027 [13] - The expected revenue growth rate for IBKR is 2.9% and earnings growth rate is 4.6% for the current year, with a 4% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings over the last week [15]

Core Insights - The drone technology sector is experiencing significant growth, with advancements making drones essential across various industries [1] Company Summaries Jabil Inc. (JBL) - Jabil holds a Zacks Rank 1 and has seen substantial benefits from strong momentum in capital equipment, AI-powered data center infrastructure, cloud, and digital commerce [5] - The company emphasizes product diversification, aiming for no single product or family to exceed 5% of operating income or cash flows in any fiscal year [5] - Jabil's expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the next year are 5.8% and 17.8%, respectively, with a recent 8.4% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for next-year earnings [7] HEICO Corp. (HEI) - HEICO also holds a Zacks Rank 1, benefiting from increased orders for aftermarket replacement parts and repair services due to rising air travel [8] - The company anticipates strong order flows for its defense products, supported by a projected 13% increase in the U.S. defense budget to $1.01 trillion for fiscal 2026 [9] - HEICO's expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are 13.2% and 23.7%, respectively, with a slight 0.2% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings [10] L3Harris Technologies Inc. (LHX) - L3Harris has a Zacks Rank 2 and benefits from solid U.S. budget funding, which is expected to enhance its revenues [11] - The company is experiencing strong demand for its defensive solutions from various regions, including Asia-Pacific and Latin America, and is involved in the U.S. administration's Golden Dome initiative [11] - L3Harris's expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are 1% and -20%, respectively, with a 0.1% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings [12]

Core Viewpoint - Momentum investing focuses on following a stock's recent price trends, aiming to buy high and sell higher, with the expectation that established trends will continue [1] Company Overview: Heico Corporation (HEI) - Heico Corporation currently holds a Momentum Style Score of B, indicating a favorable momentum characteristic [2] - The company has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy), suggesting strong potential for outperformance in the market [3] Performance Metrics - Over the past week, HEI shares increased by 3.24%, while the Zacks Aerospace - Defense Equipment industry rose by 4% [5] - In a longer timeframe, HEI's monthly price change is 7.03%, outperforming the industry's 4.74% [5] - Over the last quarter, HEI shares have risen by 29.88%, and by 42.86% over the past year, compared to the S&P 500's increases of 24.12% and 14.76%, respectively [6] Trading Volume - HEI's average 20-day trading volume is 418,817 shares, which serves as a bullish indicator when combined with rising stock prices [7] Earnings Outlook - In the past two months, 7 earnings estimates for HEI have been revised upwards, with no downward revisions, leading to an increase in the consensus estimate from $4.42 to $4.54 [9] - For the next fiscal year, 7 estimates have also moved upwards without any downward revisions [9] Conclusion - Given the positive momentum indicators and earnings outlook, HEI is positioned as a 1 (Strong Buy) stock with a Momentum Score of B, making it a strong candidate for near-term investment [11]

Market Overview - Wall Street reached record-high levels, with the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite increasing by 5%, 10.6%, and 17.8% respectively in Q2 2025, marking it as the best quarter for U.S. stocks in the past year [1] - The small-cap benchmark, Russell 2000, also saw an 8.3% gain [1] - Positive market sentiment was driven by expectations of key trade deals and reduced fears of a near-term recession in the U.S. economy [2] Investment Opportunities - Recommended stocks with favorable Zacks Rank and momentum for Q3 include Jabil Inc. (JBL), Newmont Corp. (NEM), HEICO Corp. (HEI), Rockwell Automation Inc. (ROK), and The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (EL), all holding a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) [3] Jabil Inc. (JBL) - Jabil is experiencing strong momentum in capital equipment, AI-powered data centers, cloud, and digital commerce sectors, with a focus on product diversification [6] - The company has a high free cash flow, indicating efficient financial management and operational efficiency [7] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the next year are 5.9% and 18.5% respectively, with a 9% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for next-year earnings over the last 30 days [8] Newmont Corp. (NEM) - Newmont is progressing with growth projects, including the Tanami expansion and the Ahafo North project, with a commitment of $950 million to $1,050 million in development capital [10][11] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are 2% and 24.1% respectively, with a 3.3% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings over the last 30 days [11] HEICO Corp. (HEI) - HEICO is benefiting from increased orders for aftermarket replacement parts and repair services due to rising air travel and solid U.S. defense funding [12][13] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are 13.2% and 23.4% respectively, with a 1.1% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings over the last 30 days [14] Rockwell Automation Inc. (ROK) - Rockwell Automation is expanding its portfolio of hardware and software products, with investments in cloud technology supporting future growth [15] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the next year are 6.7% and 16.1% respectively, with a 0.3% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for next-year earnings over the last seven days [17] The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (EL) - The Estée Lauder Companies is focused on profitability through its Profit Recovery and Growth Plan, emphasizing innovation and digital expansion [18] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are 1.2% and 45.4% respectively, with a 0.5% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings over the last 30 days [20]