Investors looking for stocks in the Computers - IT Services sector might want to consider either Leidos (LDOS) or Dynatrace (DT) . But which of these two stocks presents investors with the better value opportunity right now? Let's take a closer look.There are plenty of strategies for discovering value stocks, but we have found that pairing a strong Zacks Rank with an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system produces the best returns. The Zacks Rank favors stocks with strong earnings ...

Core Insights - Leidos Holdings Inc. (LDOS) has seen a year-to-date share price increase of 3.1%, outperforming the S&P 500's return of 0.1%, but underperforming the Zacks Aerospace-Defense industry's growth of 17.5% and the broader Zacks Aerospace sector's appreciation of 18.6% [1][2] Group 1: Stock Performance and Backlog - The company ended Q1 2025 with a backlog of $46.30 billion, up from $43.55 billion in the previous quarter, indicating strong demand for its products across various industries [4] - The improved backlog is expected to bolster future revenue generation prospects, enhancing investor confidence in the stock's profitability [5] Group 2: Financial Health - Leidos Holdings reported cash and cash equivalents of $0.84 billion and current debt of $0.12 billion at the end of Q1 2025, indicating a strong solvency position [6] - The current ratio of 1.54 as of April 4, 2025, suggests the company has sufficient capital to meet short-term debt obligations [6] Group 3: Growth Prospects - The macroeconomic and geopolitical environment is favorable for Leidos Holdings, with increased defense spending anticipated, including a proposed 13% increase in the defense budget to $1.01 trillion for fiscal 2026 [7] - The company is well-positioned to contribute to the "Golden Dome" missile defense initiative, which aligns with its advanced air and missile defense capabilities [9] Group 4: Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 and 2026 sales suggests improvements of 2.7% and 3.2% year-over-year, respectively [11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings per share for 2025 and 2026 has been revised upward by 1.8% and 1%, respectively, indicating growing analyst confidence in the stock's earnings growth capabilities [11] Group 5: Valuation - Leidos Holdings has a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 13.49X, which is a discount compared to the industry average of 26.42X, suggesting a lower price relative to expected earnings growth [16] - Other industry peers, such as RTX and Northrop Grumman, are also trading at discounts to the industry average [17] Group 6: Investment Consideration - Investors may consider adding LDOS to their portfolio due to its discounted valuation, long-term growth prospects, and upward revisions in earnings estimates [18] - The company holds a VGM Score of A and a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating strong performance potential [20]

Core Viewpoint - Leidos (LDOS) has experienced a bearish trend recently, losing 6.6% over the past two weeks, but the formation of a hammer chart pattern suggests a potential trend reversal as buying interest may be increasing [1][2]. Technical Analysis - The hammer chart pattern indicates a potential bottom in the stock price, characterized by a small candle body and a long lower wick, suggesting that bears may be losing control [4][5]. - This pattern typically forms during a downtrend when the stock opens lower, makes a new low, but then finds support and closes near its opening price, indicating a possible shift in momentum [4][5]. Fundamental Analysis - There is rising optimism among Wall Street analysts regarding the future earnings of Leidos, which supports the potential for a trend reversal [2][7]. - Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for the current year has increased by 1.6%, indicating that analysts expect better earnings than previously predicted [8]. - Leidos currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), placing it in the top 20% of over 4,000 ranked stocks, which historically correlates with outperformance in the market [9].

Group 1: Acquisition Details - Leidos Holdings, Inc. (LDOS) acquired Kudu Dynamics for approximately $300 million in cash, enhancing its focus on AI-powered offensive cyber operations and vulnerability research [1] - The acquisition is expected to improve LDOS's customer base and product offerings, particularly in AI-enabled cyber capabilities for defense, intelligence, and homeland security clients [2] Group 2: Strategic Alignment - The acquisition aligns with Leidos' strategy to expand its offensive cyber technology capabilities through AI-driven innovation, reinforcing its commitment to delivering advanced cyber tools [3] - Amid rising global cybersecurity threats, the acquisition positions Leidos to capitalize on increasing demand for advanced cyber defense solutions, potentially boosting sales [4] Group 3: Industry Context - The defense industry is experiencing a surge in mergers and acquisitions due to cost-reduction initiatives and the need to diversify portfolios amid intensifying competition [5] - Other defense companies, such as TransDigm Group, HEICO Corporation, and Teledyne Technologies, have also engaged in recent acquisitions to enhance their market positions [6][7][8] Group 4: Stock Performance - Over the past three months, Leidos shares have increased by 14.7%, outperforming the industry growth of 10.9% [9] - Leidos currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating positive market sentiment [10]

Leidos' extensive current AI-enabled cyber offerings arm users with the rapid capability and scale needed to automate vulnerability detection, enhance novel defenses, neutralize attacker advantages and evade adversary defenses. Acquiring Kudu Dynamics will accelerate Leidos' strategy for AI-enabled offensive cyber, electromagnetic spectrum operations and vulnerability research. Founded in 2013, Kudu Dynamics rapidly has grown its work across the Department of Defense, leading the industry in automated targe ...

Industry Overview - The aerospace defense industry is experiencing growth despite supply-chain challenges, driven by increased defense budgets and positive projections for global air passenger numbers in the second half of 2025 [1][3] - A White House report indicates a proposed 13% increase in U.S. defense spending to $1.01 trillion for fiscal year 2026, which is expected to benefit defense-focused companies [4] - The Zacks-defined Aerospace – Defense Industry ranks in the top 16% of Zacks Industry Rank, suggesting it will outperform the market in the next three to six months [5] Company Summaries GE Aerospace - GE Aerospace is seeing strong demand for commercial engines and propulsion technologies, supported by rising defense budgets and geopolitical tensions [8] - The company raised its dividend by 28.6% to 36 cents per share in February 2025, with expected organic revenue growth in the low-double-digit range for 2025 [9] - GE Aerospace has an expected revenue growth rate of -6.8% and an earnings growth rate of 19.6% for the current year [9] Howmet Aerospace Inc. - Howmet Aerospace is benefiting from robust momentum in the commercial aerospace market and strength in its defense business due to rising defense budgets [10] - The company has a strong liquidity position and expects revenue and earnings growth rates of 8.5% and 28.6%, respectively, for the current year [11] Leidos Holdings Inc. - Leidos Holdings reported strong earnings and revenue growth, with increased contract wins from the Pentagon leading to a solid backlog of $46.30 billion [12][14] - The company is well-positioned to contribute to the development of a next-generation missile defense shield, with expected revenue and earnings growth rates of 2.7% and 4.3%, respectively, for the current year [14] Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc. - Huntington Ingalls is a leading U.S. shipbuilder with a solid order backlog, driven by strong demand for its nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines [15][16] - The company expects revenue and earnings growth rates of 3.3% and 2.5%, respectively, for the current year [17] Vertical Aerospace Ltd. - Vertical Aerospace is focused on designing and manufacturing zero-emission electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, with significant growth potential in the advanced air mobility market [18] - The company has an expected revenue growth rate of 1% and an earnings growth rate of over 100% for the current year [19]

Group 1 - Leidos and Saudi Arabia's National Security Services Company (SAFE) have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on security screening technology for airports and other ports of entry in Saudi Arabia [1][2] - The agreement aims to modernize Saudi Arabia's security screening infrastructure, enhancing threat detection capabilities including people and baggage scanners, explosive detection devices, and rapid screening of cargo and vehicles [1] - The partnership was announced during the U.S-Saudi Investment Forum, coinciding with U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia [2] Group 2 - Leidos is a leader in the industry and technology sector, serving government and commercial customers, with reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025 [4]

Core Viewpoint - Leidos Holdings, Inc. (LDOS) presents a strong investment opportunity in the Aerospace Defense industry due to rising earnings estimates, robust return on equity (ROE), a solid backlog, and shareholder-friendly initiatives [1] Growth Forecast & Surprise History - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for LDOS' 2025 earnings per share (EPS) has increased by 1.5%, while the estimate for 2026 EPS has risen by 0.7% over the past 30 days [2] - The total revenue estimate for 2025 is $17.11 billion, indicating a growth of 2.7% from 2024, and for 2026, the revenue estimate is $17.66 billion, suggesting a year-over-year increase of 3.3% [2] - LDOS has a long-term earnings growth rate of 7.4% and has surpassed expectations in the last four quarters with an average earnings surprise of 23.71% [3] Rising Backlog - Contract wins from the Pentagon and other U.S. allies for cost-effective military technologies are key revenue sources for Leidos, enhancing its bookings and backlog [4] - The backlog at the end of March 2025 was $46.30 billion, up from $43.55 billion in the prior quarter, indicating improved revenue-generating potential [4] Return on Equity - LDOS has a return on equity (ROE) of 32.62%, significantly higher than the industry average of 9.66%, indicating effective fund utilization [5] Solvency & Liquidity - The times interest earned (TIE) ratio for Leidos at the end of Q1 2025 was 10.1, suggesting the company can meet its interest payment obligations without difficulty [6] - The current ratio was 1.54, indicating the company can meet its short-term liabilities effectively [6] Shareholder-Friendly Initiatives - Leidos has consistently paid dividends, with a current quarterly dividend of 40 cents per share, leading to an annualized dividend of $1.60 [7] - In Q1 2025, the company paid dividends totaling $53 million, with a current dividend yield of 1.05%, surpassing the sector average of 0.95% [7] - The company repurchased $528 million worth of its shares in Q1, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 188.5% [8] Stock Price Performance - Over the past three months, LDOS shares have increased by 15.8%, outperforming the industry's rise of 7.6% [10]

Industry Overview - The Zacks Aerospace-Defense industry includes companies that design and manufacture military and commercial aircraft, combat vehicles, missiles, and space transportation vehicles [2] - It also encompasses cybersecurity firms providing IT services and C4ISR solutions, along with defense contractors offering spare parts and maintenance services [3] Key Trends - Improved air traffic outlook is boosting growth prospects, with global air passenger traffic revenue per kilometer increasing by 3.3% year over year to 738.8 billion [4] - The U.S. defense budget is projected to increase by 13% to $1.01 trillion for fiscal year 2026, which will benefit defense-focused companies [5] - Supply-chain disruptions continue to pose challenges, particularly affecting smaller suppliers in the commercial aerospace sector, with a projected drop in aircraft deliveries from 2,293 to 1,802 in 2025 due to these bottlenecks [6][7] Industry Performance - The Aerospace-Defense industry has underperformed compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite and its own sector, with a collective gain of 7.2% over the past year, while the Aerospace sector grew by 11.9% and the S&P 500 by 8.3% [12] - The industry currently holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 92, placing it in the top 37% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating positive near-term prospects [9] Valuation Metrics - The industry is trading at a trailing 12-month EV/Sales ratio of 2.82, compared to the S&P 500's 4.86 and the sector's 2.51 [15] Company Highlights - **Airbus Group**: Revenues improved by 6% year over year, with earnings per share increasing by 33%. The 2025 sales estimate is $82.57 billion, reflecting a 10.4% increase from the previous year [18][19] - **Leidos Holdings**: Revenues grew by 7% year over year to $4.25 billion, with adjusted earnings up by 30%. The 2025 sales estimate indicates a 2.7% improvement from 2024 [22][23] - **Huntington Ingalls Industries**: Received orders worth $2.1 billion in the first quarter, with a total backlog of $48 billion as of March 31, 2025. The 2025 sales estimate shows a 3.5% increase from 2024 [26][27]

It's a dangerous world, and this is driving up defense stock prices. For new investors looking to buy, this is not a good thing.It's not always fun being right -- especially when you write about defense stocks, and you have to tell people that defense stocks are too expensive to invest in right now.After reviewing the skyrocketing prices of large defense aerospace and contractors last year, I concluded that defense stocks cost too much. Checking back on valuations after prices had fallen in January, I had t ...