Strength in Aerospace Market Drives Howmet: Will the Momentum Last?

Core Insights - Howmet Aerospace Inc.'s defense aerospace market is a significant driver of overall growth, with a 19% year-over-year revenue increase in Q1 2025, accounting for 17% of total sales [1][8] - The Engineered Structures segment reported an 8% year-over-year revenue increase, bolstered by a 36% rise in defense aerospace sales [2][8] - The U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations approved a fiscal 2025 Defense Appropriations Act with a total funding of $852.2 billion, a 3.3% increase from fiscal 2024, which is favorable for Howmet's defense aerospace market [3][4][8] Industry Context - Increased military funding enhances Howmet's ability to secure new contracts, particularly with strong momentum in the F-35 program [4] - Competitors like Textron Inc. and GE Aerospace are also experiencing growth in their defense segments, with Textron securing a U.S. Navy contract worth up to $100 million and GE Aerospace benefiting from rising demand for advanced propulsion systems [5][6] Financial Performance - Howmet's shares have surged 127.7% over the past year, significantly outperforming the industry's growth of 20.1% [7] - The company is currently trading at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 46.77X, above the industry average of 27.53X, indicating a premium valuation [10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Howmet's earnings has been on the rise, with current estimates for Q2 2025 at $0.87 and for the current year at $3.47 [12][13]