Will Increased Military Spending Fuel Howmet's Defense Aerospace Gains?

Core Insights - Howmet Aerospace Inc. (HWM) is experiencing growth due to an expanding defense budget, which serves as a key growth catalyst for the company [1] Financial Performance - In Q1 2025, revenues from the defense aerospace market increased by 19% year over year, accounting for 17% of HWM's total sales, driven by strong demand for engine spares, particularly for the F-35 program [2] - The Engineered Structures segment reported an 8% year-over-year revenue increase, supported by a 36% rise in defense aerospace sales [2][8] - HWM's shares surged by 114.6% over the past year, significantly outperforming the industry growth of 13.7% [7] Market Environment - The U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations approved a fiscal 2025 Defense Appropriations Act, allocating $852.2 billion, reflecting a 3.3% increase from fiscal 2024 [3][8] - The increase in military funding positions HWM to secure more contracts, particularly with strong momentum in the F-35 program [4] Competitive Landscape - Textron Inc. (TXT) is gaining momentum in its defense business, securing a U.S. Navy contract worth up to $100 million in Q1 2025 [5] - GE Aerospace's Defense & Propulsion Technologies business is benefiting from rising demand for advanced propulsion systems, securing a U.S. Army IDIQ contract for F110 engines [6] Valuation and Estimates - HWM is trading at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 45.70X, above the industry average of 26.22X, and carries a Value Score of F [10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HWM's earnings has been on the rise over the past 60 days, with current estimates for the current year at $3.46 and next year at $4.10 [12][13]