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Fresh Russia-Ukraine Feud Brings Spotlight on Lockheed
ZACKSยท 2025-07-08 15:11
Core Insights - The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has intensified, particularly after the halt in ceasefire talks, creating a favorable environment for defense contractors like Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT) [1] - Lockheed's Patriot missile system is crucial for Ukraine's defense against Russian attacks, with significant demand for these systems driven by the conflict [2][3] - The company has ramped up production of its PAC-3 missiles and HIMARS systems to meet the increasing demand from Ukraine [4][5][10] Production and Demand - Lockheed Martin won a contract to increase PAC-3 missile production to 650 units per year, reflecting the growing global demand, particularly from Ukraine [3] - The company has increased PAC-3 output by 30% in 2024 and plans a further 20% increase in 2025 [4][10] - HIMARS production capacity has been raised from 48 to 60 units, with a target of 96 units by the end of 2025 [5][10] Market Position and Financials - Lockheed Martin's shares have increased by 1.9% over the past year, underperforming the industry average growth of 17.8% [9] - The company's forward 12-month Price/Earnings ratio is 16.43X, which is lower than the industry average of 26.72X, indicating a relative discount [11] - Recent earnings estimates for 2025 and 2026 have been revised downward, reflecting potential challenges ahead [12][13] Competitive Landscape - Other defense companies like RTX Corp. and General Dynamics are also expected to benefit from the heightened demand for military supplies to Ukraine [7][8] - RTX supplies the NASAMS system, while General Dynamics provides Abrams tanks and is involved in upgrading tanks for Ukraine [7][8]