NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Dec. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HII (NYSE: HII) hosted an Australian delegation led by Richard Marles MP, deputy prime minister and minister for defence, at its Newport News Shipbuilding division Tuesday. The visit was held in support of the trilateral Australia, United Kingdom and United States (AUKUS) partnership. HII continues its commitment to supporting AUKUS, which set in motion tasking across all three countries to determine the optimal pathway to provide Australia with conventio ...

Core Points - HII and Babcock International Group have signed a contract to enhance their strategic partnership, focusing on Virginia-class submarine construction at HII's Newport News Shipbuilding division [1][2] - This contract marks the first outsourced agreement for Virginia-class submarines, allowing Babcock to manufacture complex submarine assemblies in Scotland for Block VI fast-attack submarines [2] - The partnership aims to improve supplier capabilities and production resilience, benefiting both U.S. and U.K. defense programs [3][6] Company Overview - HII is a leading global defense provider, recognized as the largest military shipbuilder in the U.S., with a workforce of 44,000 and a history of over 135 years in advancing national security [10][11] - Babcock International Group specializes in defense solutions, focusing on technology integration, engineering, and infrastructure management to enhance defense capabilities globally [11] Strategic Collaboration - The partnership will leverage Babcock's manufacturing expertise to optimize capabilities for the AUKUS security partnership, which includes the U.S., U.K., and Australia [6][3] - Previous collaborations have included initiatives like the Australian Submarine Supplier Qualification program, aimed at integrating Australian suppliers into the U.S. submarine industrial base [7] - A memorandum of understanding was signed to combine HII's unmanned underwater vehicles with Babcock's submarine weapon systems, enhancing the operational capabilities of allied navies [8]

Core Insights - HII is a leading global defense provider focused on enhancing U.S. national security through a range of solutions including ships, unmanned systems, and cyber capabilities [1] - The partnership with Westley Group is a strategic move to strengthen the U.S. Navy's submarine industrial base as part of the AUKUS trilateral partnership [2][3] Company Overview - HII employs a workforce of 44,000 and is based in Virginia, specializing in defense solutions [1] - The company is committed to fostering industrial integration among AUKUS nations, enhancing the resilience of the submarine supply chain [3] Strategic Partnerships - Westley Group will supply critical components for U.S. Navy platforms, addressing the increasing demand for submarines [2] - This collaboration is essential for collective readiness within the AUKUS framework [3] Financial Performance - HII's stock price was approximately $319.87 as of October 31, 2025, with price targets set at $350 by TD Cowen and $356 by Goldman Sachs [4] - The company has a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of around 21.23, indicating strong investor confidence [4][6] - Financial metrics show a price-to-sales ratio of about 1.00, an enterprise value to sales ratio of approximately 1.22, and a debt-to-equity ratio of about 0.59, reflecting a balanced financial approach [5] - HII's current ratio is approximately 1.14, demonstrating its capability to meet short-term liabilities [5][6]

Core Insights - The meeting between Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and former U.S. President Donald Trump focused on critical minerals and reaffirmed the AUKUS partnership, resulting in a new critical minerals deal valued at up to US$8.5 billion [3]. Market Reactions - Following the meeting, the ASX saw a positive shift, climbing +0.5% in futures, while Wall Street indices (Dow, S&P, Nasdaq) experienced gains between +1% and +1.4% [4]. Companies to Watch - Arafura Rare Earths (ASX:ARU) and Lynas Rare Earths (ASX:LYC) are highlighted as key companies to monitor due to their involvement in the Trump-Albo rare earths deal [5]. - Other notable companies in the rare earths sector include Iluka Resources (ASX:ILU), Meeka Metals (ASX:MEK), and Caprice Resources (ASX:CRS) [5]. Additional Developments - Yari Minerals (ASX:YAR) has commenced its first drilling at the Rolleston South Coal Project [6]. - Super Retail (ASX:SUL) appointed Paul Bradshaw as the new managing director for BCF, marking a significant leadership change [6]. Commodity Prices - The Australian dollar is trading at 65.1 U.S. cents, while iron ore prices have slightly decreased by -0.1% to $103.80 per tonne [7]. - Brent crude oil is down -0.7% at $60.93 per barrel, and gold prices have increased to $4,366 per ounce [7].