Lockheed Martin Just Raised Its Dividend by 5%. Should You Buy LMT Stock Here?

Core Insights - Lockheed Martin reported third-quarter revenue of $18.6 billion and net earnings of $1.6 billion, with a 5% dividend increase to $3.45 per share, marking the 23rd consecutive year of dividend hikes [1][4] - Global defense spending is projected to reach $2.69 trillion by 2025, reflecting a 4.9% increase from the previous year, positioning Lockheed Martin favorably as demand for military technology rises [2] - The company's stock is currently trading around $490, with a year-to-date increase of 1% but a 14% decline over the past 52 weeks [5] Financial Performance - The third-quarter sales of $18.6 billion represent an increase from $17.1 billion in the same quarter last year, while net earnings per share rose to $6.95 from $6.80 [7] - Cash from operations reached $3.7 billion, significantly higher than the previous quarter's $2.4 billion [7] Market Position - Lockheed Martin's market capitalization is $118.1 billion, with a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.03x, below the sector median of 21.54x, and a forward P/E ratio of 17.89x compared to the sector's 21.26x [6] - The price-to-earnings-to-growth ratio stands at 1.74x, slightly lower than the sector average of 1.85x [6]