Investors didn't rush to buy Lockheed Martin stock this week. They might want to reconsider.Lockheed Martin (LMT 2.39%) reported earnings on Tuesday, and the crowd went mild.Seriously. Rarely has an earnings beat the size of the one Lockheed reported this week been met with such a gigantic collective shrug of dismissal as this one. Heading into earnings day, Wall Street analysts confidently predicted Lockheed would report a $6.31-per-share profit on $17.8 billion in sales. Instead, Lockheed reported $18 bil ...

Defense stocks are pulling back following Q1 reports from Lockheed Martin NYSE: LMT, Northrop Grumman NYSE: NOC, and RTX NYSE: RTX. The primary cause is uncertainty, followed by tepid guidance. Regarding uncertainty, companies face an unknown impact from tariffs that could affect their profitability. That is a risk that can’t be ignored. Each company reaffirmed its 2025 outlook, calling for growth and enough cash flow to maintain financial strength, reinvest in operations, and return capital to shareholders ...

We previously published an article on Lockheed Martin Corporation ( LMT ) in October 2021 when we observed that the share price reflected an unduly pessimistic view of their growth prospects. Our modelI am a CFA charterholder and a CIPM certificant. Professionally, I assist firms comply with the Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS). The GIPS Standards has to do with how investment performance is calculated and presented by asset managers, pension funds, endowments and foundations. Previous to my c ...

Industry leaders look to the future with multi-year deal STRATFORD, Conn. and HOUSTON, April 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company (NYSE: LMT), and Bristow Group Inc. (NYSE: VTOL), the global leader in innovative and sustainable vertical flight solutions, today announced a long-term agreement to provide enhanced support for Bristow's S-92® helicopter fleet. Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, and Bristow Group Inc. announced a long-term agreement to support Bristow's S-92® helicop ...

If you want full access to all our reports, data and investing ideas, join The Aerospace Forum , the #1 aerospace, defense and airline investment research service on Seeking Alpha, with access to evoX Data Analytics, our in-house developed data analytics platform.Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT ) stock has lost some of its momentum. Last year, the company had been coping with delivery issues on the F-35 program and saw a flurry of charges in Q4Dhierin runs the investing group The Aerospace Forum , whose goal is ...

Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT) delivered a robust performance in the first quarter of 2025, underscoring its resilience in the defense sector. The company reported earnings per share of $7.28, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 14.8%. Revenues grew 4.5% year over year to $17.96 billion. (Find the latest EPS estimates and surprises on Zacks Earnings Calendar.)This growth was primarily driven by sustained demand for its defense products, including missile systems and F-35 fighter jets. Segment-wise, all ...

Core Viewpoint - The stock market experienced an overcorrection due to tariff-induced fears, leading to a sell-off of fundamentally sound stocks that present deep value opportunities for investors as concerns subside [1][2]. Group 1: Snap-on - Snap-on reported mixed Q1 results but maintains a resilient business outlook, with expectations for stability in 2025 [2][4]. - The company has an attractive capital return strategy, with a dividend yield of 2.77% and share buybacks that enhance shareholder value [4]. - Balance sheet highlights include increased cash, inventory, and assets, with equity rising over 2% and low leverage [4]. Group 2: Whirlpool - Whirlpool's Q1 results showed a significant contraction in revenue and earnings, attributed to divestitures and repositioning efforts to capture the U.S. housing market recovery [5][6]. - The company is well insulated from tariff threats, with 80% of goods manufactured in the U.S., and its dividend yield stands at 9% [6]. - Q1 balance sheet highlights include reduced debt and a 13% increase in equity, indicating financial stability [6]. Group 3: Verizon - Verizon is not experiencing rapid growth but is leading the industry in size and scope, reaffirming its guidance for expanding free cash flow [9][10]. - The company has improved its free cash flow through debt reduction and strengthening its balance sheet, with a dividend payout expected to grow at a low single-digit pace [10]. Group 4: Cintas - Cintas' stock price pullback is linked to several factors, but the business remains strong with expected capital returns continuing [14][15]. - The company benefits from healthy labor markets, which support its growth trajectory [15]. Group 5: Lockheed Martin - Lockheed Martin's stock price decline is primarily due to the loss of a critical contract, but fundamentals remain strong with solid Q1 results and a robust outlook for U.S. government defense spending [18][19]. - The dividend yield is 2.85%, and share buybacks have reduced the share count by 2.6% year-over-year in Q1 [19].

Financial Performance - First quarter sales reached $18 billion[8], reflecting a 4% increase[5] - Segment operating profit was $21 billion[8], with a margin of 116%[8] - Earnings per share (EPS) amounted to $728[8] - Free cash flow delivered was $1 billion[8] - The company spent $08 billion on share repurchases and $08 billion on dividends[8] - Independent Research & Development and Capital Expenditures totaled $09 billion[8] Segment Results - Aeronautics sales increased by 3% to $7057 million[11, 12], with operating profit up 6% to $720 million[13, 15] - Missiles & Fire Control (MFC) saw a 13% sales increase to $3373 million[18, 19], and a 50% rise in operating profit to $465 million[22] - Rotary & Mission Systems (RMS) experienced a 6% sales growth to $4328 million[25, 27], with operating profit increasing by 21% to $521 million[28] - Space sales decreased by 2% to $3205 million[31, 32], but operating profit increased by 17% to $379 million[32] 2025 Outlook - The company reaffirmed its full-year guidance, projecting sales between $73750 million and $74750 million[34, 35] - Segment operating profit is expected to be between $81 billion and $82 billion[34] - Diluted EPS is projected to be between $2700 and $2730[34] - Free cash flow is anticipated to be between $66 billion and $68 billion[34] - Share repurchases are planned at approximately $3 billion[34]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Lockheed Martin reported a 4% year-over-year increase in sales for Q1 2025, reaching $15.5 billion, with a GAAP earnings per share of $7.28, reflecting a 14% increase [7][29] - The company generated $955 million in free cash flow after investing nearly $850 million in R&D and capital expenditures [30] - The segment operating margin was reported at 11.6%, with all four business areas generating double-digit returns [28][29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Aeronautics sales increased by 3% year-over-year to $7.1 billion, primarily due to higher volumes on F-35 production contracts [32] - Missiles and Fire Control (MFC) sales rose by 13% from the prior year, driven by higher volumes on multiple tactical and strike missile programs, with segment operating profit improving by 50% [34] - Rotary and Mission Systems (RMS) sales increased by 6% to $4.3 billion, with operating profit up 21% year-over-year [38] - Space sales decreased by 2% year-over-year, primarily due to lower volume at national security space, but operating profit increased by 17% [39] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The backlog remains healthy at approximately $173 billion, with significant awards in Q1 coming from MFC and RMS [29] - The company anticipates between 170 to 190 F-35 deliveries for the year, with a backlog of approximately 360 jets at the end of Q1 [45] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Lockheed Martin's strategy focuses on integrating existing and new technologies to enhance capabilities, particularly in missile systems and air dominance [11][17] - The company is committed to operational execution, driving cost competitiveness, quality, and schedule adherence, with a focus on delivering on time and on budget [22] - The management emphasizes the importance of digital technologies and AI in enhancing operational capabilities and customer value [20][131] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving full-year guidance of mid-single-digit sales growth and double-digit growth in free cash flow, despite known tariff headwinds [8][44] - The company is optimistic about the impact of recent executive orders aimed at reducing bureaucratic red tape in defense procurement, which could enhance operational efficiency [62][64] Other Important Information - Lockheed Martin's advanced air and missile systems secured several large missile program awards in Q1, comprising up to $10 billion in future work [11] - The company is actively engaged in the Golden Dome initiative, which aims to enhance national defense capabilities through integrated systems [91][94] Q&A Session Summary Question: Feedback on NGAD decision and potential protest - Management received a classified debrief from the U.S. Air Force regarding the NGAD decision and has decided not to protest it, focusing instead on applying developed technologies to existing platforms like the F-35 [54][56] Question: Impact of executive orders from the White House - Management welcomed the executive orders aimed at reducing red tape, which could speed up acquisition processes and enhance opportunities for both traditional and new defense contractors [62][66] Question: Tariff risks and CFO priorities - Management acknowledged certain protections in the defense industry against tariffs and expressed confidence in mitigating impacts, with a focus on maintaining momentum in operational initiatives [70][76] Question: F-35 Lot 19 timing and international demand - The company is looking at the second half of the year for Lot 19 and is confident in maintaining production rates due to strong international demand [81][82] Question: Discussion on Golden Dome funding and production ramp - Management outlined a three-segment approach for the Golden Dome initiative, emphasizing readiness to deploy existing systems and integrate new technologies [88][94] Question: Availability impact of new tariff regime on rare earth metals - Management confirmed that they are constrained from using Chinese inputs and have alternative sources for materials, ensuring that supply chain disruptions will not impact current delivery commitments [104][108] Question: Production increase plans in missiles and fire control - Management highlighted strong domestic and international demand for MFC products, with several programs ramping up production [111][112] Question: Integration of NGAD technologies into F-35 - Management clarified that the integration of NGAD technologies into the F-35 will involve co-investment from the U.S. government and Lockheed Martin, aiming for significant enhancements at reduced costs [123][130]

Core Insights - Lockheed Martin's earnings results exceeded expectations, with earnings of $7.28 per share on revenue of $18 billion, surpassing Wall Street estimates of $6.31 per share on $17.8 billion [3] - The company maintained its full-year earnings and cash projections, alleviating investor concerns regarding potential guidance cuts due to recent challenges [4] Financial Performance - Lockheed Martin's revenue growth was driven by strong performance in its missile and aerospace units, while operating margins in the space division exceeded expectations [3] - The company reported a book-to-bill ratio of 0.8, indicating a lack of new business momentum compared to existing work [5] Strategic Outlook - Lockheed Martin is focusing on maximizing existing programs, particularly the F-35, while awaiting new opportunities [5] - The company has significant exposure to various Pentagon priorities, including aviation, missile defense, and hypersonics, which could present future growth opportunities [6] - Lockheed Martin currently offers a dividend yield of nearly 3%, appealing to investors seeking reliable income and modest growth potential [6]