The Motley Foolยท2025-04-29 08:10Core Viewpoint - Lockheed Martin stands out as a strong investment opportunity in the defense sector, particularly for passive income, due to its robust order backlog, reliable cash flows, and consistent capital return program [2][14][15] Group 1: Financial Performance and Outlook - Lockheed Martin reaffirmed its full-year 2025 adjusted revenue growth at a midpoint of 4.3%, with a 9.4% increase in free cash flow (FCF), and a 3% decrease in diluted earnings per share (EPS) [6][7] - The company reported a $173 billion order backlog, which is more than double its annual sales, with the F-35 backlog alone valued at approximately $33.2 billion [4][5] Group 2: Capital Return Program - Lockheed Martin has a strong capital return program, planning to return $18 billion to shareholders through dividends and stock buybacks by 2027, with $1.5 billion returned in the recent quarter [9][10] - The recent quarter's capital return included $796 million in dividends and $750 million in buybacks, resulting in a dividend yield of 2.9% [10][11] - The capital return program is fully funded by FCF, with guidance for 2025 FCF between $6.6 billion and $6.8 billion, ensuring no reliance on debt [11][12] Group 3: Investment Appeal - Lockheed Martin has raised its dividend for 22 consecutive years, showcasing a reliable track record for dividend growth [12] - The company has reduced its share count by 24.2% over the last decade, allowing for faster EPS growth compared to net income, which helps maintain an inexpensive price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 17.1 based on 2025 guidance [13] - Lockheed's business model is insulated from economic cycles and tariffs, making it an ideal stock for risk-averse investors [14][15]