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3 Dirt-Cheap Value Stocks to Invest $1,000 in This July
The Motley Fool· 2025-07-11 10:15
Core Viewpoint - The current stock market is at all-time highs, making it challenging to find undervalued stocks, but there are still opportunities in dividend-paying stocks like utilities, airlines, and industrial companies [1][2]. Group 1: NextEra Energy - NextEra Energy is recognized for its focus on renewable energy sources, particularly solar and wind, but also has significant investments in natural gas and nuclear energy [4][7]. - The company has a forward dividend yield of 3.1% and is considered a good buy due to its current stock price being at a discount compared to its five-year average cash flow multiple [5][10]. - In 2024, natural gas and nuclear energy accounted for 69% and 10% of Florida Power and Light's net generating capacity, respectively, contributing significantly to NextEra's earnings [7]. Group 2: United Airlines - United Airlines trades at a low earnings multiple of just over eight times its estimated 2025 earnings, reflecting historical concerns about the airline industry [11]. - The company has diversified its revenue streams through loyalty programs and premium offerings, reducing reliance on main-cabin ticket sales [12]. - United Airlines is positioned to better absorb rising costs compared to low-cost carriers, making it a potentially strong long-term investment [13][14]. Group 3: Lockheed Martin - Lockheed Martin's stock has decreased by 24% from its all-time high, presenting a potential buying opportunity for dividend investors [15]. - The company has a strong backlog that exceeds a year's worth of sales, allowing for stable free cash flow and consistent capital returns to shareholders [16][17]. - With a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.3 and a forward yield of 2.9%, Lockheed Martin is seen as a reliable dividend stock at a favorable value [18].
LVM Capital Management Loads Up on NOC, Buys 6,237 Shares in Q2 2025
The Motley Fool· 2025-07-08 15:18
Company Overview - Northrop Grumman is a leading global defense contractor with a diversified portfolio that includes aeronautics, mission systems, defense, and space [5] - The company serves government agencies worldwide, primarily the U.S. Department of Defense and allied defense organizations [8] Financial Performance - Northrop Grumman's market capitalization is $72.6 billion, with a revenue of $40.37 billion and a net income of $3.71 billion for the trailing twelve months (TTM) [3] - The company reported a decline in sales and profits in Q1, primarily due to challenges in its space business, but has maintained its sales guidance of $42 billion to $42.5 billion for the full year, indicating a potential growth of approximately 2% [6][9] - Free cash flow (FCF) guidance for the year is set between $2.85 billion and $3.25 billion, suggesting a growth of around 10% at the lower end of the range [9] Investment Activity - LVM Capital Management increased its stake in Northrop Grumman by 6,237 shares during Q2 2025, bringing its total holding to 39,485 shares valued at $19.74 million [2] - The recent purchase totaled $3.16 million, adjusting the fund's allocation in Northrop Grumman to 2.05% of its reportable assets [2] Stock Performance - Northrop Grumman shares closed at $504.20 on July 7, 2025, reflecting a 15.3% increase over the past year and outperforming the S&P 500 by 3.4 percentage points [7] - The stock is currently trading 7% below its 52-week high, with a dividend yield of 1.84% and a forward price/earnings ratio of 19.9 [7] Backlog and Future Outlook - The company's backlog reached a record $92.8 billion, supported by net awards worth $10.8 billion in Q1, indicating strong demand in the defense sector [10] - Northrop Grumman anticipates its annual free cash flow to exceed $3.3 billion by 2027, with a significant portion expected to be returned to shareholders as dividends [10]
President Trump's "Big, Beautiful Bill" Advances in Senate: 3 Stocks I'm Buying Right Now
The Motley Fool· 2025-07-02 09:30
Group 1: Legislative Impact - The Senate passed an amended version of President Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" with a 51 to 50 vote, which includes a $150 billion military spending boost and $46.5 billion for border infrastructure [1] - The bill is expected to add $3.3 trillion to the national debt, raising concerns among some stakeholders, including Elon Musk [1] Group 2: Defense Sector - Lockheed Martin is a primary beneficiary of the military spending increase, with a $176 billion backlog indicating strong global demand for its advanced systems [4][5] - Despite facing $2 billion in classified program losses, Lockheed's stock offers an investment opportunity at 14.5 times projected 2027 earnings, below historical multiples [4][5] - The company generated $71 billion in revenue in 2024 with a 9.8% operating margin, positioning it well for increased Pentagon budgets [5][6] Group 3: E-commerce Sector - Amazon stands to benefit from tax breaks that enhance discretionary spending for service and hourly workers, which constitutes its core customer base [7] - The company reported a 19% growth in advertising revenue to $13.9 billion in Q1 2025, showcasing its pricing power [8] - Amazon Web Services (AWS) generated $29.3 billion in quarterly revenue, providing substantial cash flow to support retail operations [8][9] - Analysts project Amazon's revenue to grow from $665 billion in 2025 to over $1 trillion by 2030, making current valuations appear reasonable [10] Group 4: Infrastructure Sector - Caterpillar is positioned to benefit from the $46.5 billion allocation for border-wall construction, as its equipment is essential for such projects [11] - Despite a 10% revenue decline to $14.2 billion in Q1 2025, Caterpillar maintained an 18.3% operating margin, indicating strong pricing power [11][12] - The company generated $1.3 billion in operating cash flow in Q1 2025, positioning it well for future infrastructure demand [13] - Trading at 16.5 times projected 2027 earnings, Caterpillar offers a reasonable valuation amid anticipated government-funded projects [14]
Leidos Holdings' Backlog Grows: What Does it Mean for Future Revenues?
ZACKS· 2025-06-24 15:01
Core Insights - For defense contractors like Leidos Holdings Inc. (LDOS), an increasing backlog count is a primary revenue growth driver, supported by a steady flow of contracts from the Pentagon and U.S. allies amid rising geopolitical tensions [1][3] - A growing backlog strengthens future order deliveries, converting into notable sales, ensuring a steady revenue stream and predictable cash flow, thus enhancing the company's financial outlook [2] Backlog and Revenue Growth - LDOS recorded a first-quarter 2025 backlog of $46.30 billion, up from $43.56 billion at the end of fourth-quarter 2024, which itself improved from $40.56 billion in third-quarter 2024 and $36.49 billion in second-quarter 2024 [3][12] - The company's revenues improved by 6.9% year-over-year in third-quarter 2024, 9.7% in fourth-quarter 2024, and 6.8% in first-quarter 2025, indicating a positive correlation with the rising backlog [3][12] - Future revenue growth is anticipated, with Zacks Consensus Estimates suggesting a year-over-year improvement of 2.7% for 2025 and 3.2% for 2026 [4] Industry Comparisons - Other defense contractors like RTX Corp. and Lockheed Martin are also experiencing solid backlog growth, with RTX reporting a backlog of $92 billion and Lockheed Martin at $173 million as of March 31, 2025 [5][6][7] - RTX's first-quarter sales improved by 5.2% to $20.31 billion, while Lockheed's sales increased by 4.5% to $17.20 billion, reflecting similar trends in revenue growth across the industry [6][7] Stock Performance and Valuation - Shares of LDOS have gained 1.5% over the past year, compared to the industry's growth of 5.2% [10] - The company's shares are currently trading at a forward 12-month Price/Earnings ratio of 13.66X, significantly lower than the industry's average of 28.48X, indicating a potential undervaluation [11]
Israel-Iran Feud on the Rise: What Does This Mean for Lockheed?
ZACKS· 2025-06-16 15:16
Core Insights - The conflict between Israel and Iran has escalated, leading to missile and drone exchanges that may impact global commodity prices and create uncertainty in the oil market, while benefiting defense contractors like Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT) [1] Company Insights - Lockheed Martin's stock rose 3.6% on June 13 following news of Israel's strike on Iran, indicating increased demand for defense products amid rising war concerns [2][8] - Lockheed has a strong relationship with Israel, supplying various defense products including the F-35 stealth fighter and Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), which positions the company to receive new orders due to the renewed conflict [2][3] - Analysts have set a high price target of $670 for Lockheed, suggesting a potential upside of 43% over the average Zacks price target [4][8] - Lockheed's shares have gained 2.8% over the past month, outperforming the industry average return of 2.5% [12] Industry Insights - Other defense stocks, such as Leidos Holdings Inc. (LDOS) and RTX Corp. (RTX), are also expected to benefit from the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran [5] - Leidos has partnerships with key defense companies in Israel and is an authorized supplier for the Israel Ministry of Defense, with its shares rising 0.8% on June 13 [6] - RTX's Raytheon unit collaborates with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems to support Israel's defense, with its shares increasing by 3.3% on June 13 [9]
Why Lockheed Martin Rallied on a Bad Day for the Markets on Friday
The Motley Fool· 2025-06-13 21:02
Group 1 - Lockheed Martin's shares increased by 3.5% despite a 1.1% decline in the S&P 500, driven by geopolitical tensions following Israel's strike on Iran, which raised the possibility of increased defense spending [1] - The U.S. Defense Department may reduce its orders for Lockheed's F-35s from 48 to 24 planes in fiscal 2026, potentially impacting about 5% of Lockheed's revenue [2] - The escalation of conflict could lead to a reversal or reduction of the anticipated F-35 order cuts, as Israel is a significant buyer of Lockheed's defense equipment [3][4] Group 2 - Defense stocks, including Lockheed Martin, have faced pressure this year due to skepticism around defense spending and government efficiency efforts, but they can provide stability during geopolitical tensions [6][7] - In times of rising geopolitical tensions, defense, oil, and gold stocks can act as a hedge, offering a form of insurance for diversified portfolios, while Lockheed also provides dividends [8]
Does Rising Book-to-Bill Ratio Aid Astronics Stock's Revenue Momentum?
ZACKS· 2025-06-11 16:01
Core Insights - The article highlights the positive momentum for Astronics Corporation (ATRO) driven by rising order volumes and an improved book-to-bill ratio, indicating potential revenue acceleration in upcoming quarters [1][2][9] Group 1: Company Performance - ATRO has achieved year-over-year bookings growth exceeding 5% for the past four quarters, with a notable 37% increase in bookings for the first quarter of 2025 [1][9] - The book-to-bill ratio for ATRO improved to 1.36X in Q1 2025 from 1.10X in Q4 2024 and 1.11X a year ago, signaling robust demand and a healthy sales pipeline [1][2][9] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates continued year-over-year sales growth for ATRO, with projected sales of $846.29 million for the current year and $918.33 million for the next year, reflecting growth rates of 6.39% and 8.51% respectively [4] Group 2: Industry Context - Increased government defense spending due to rising geopolitical tensions and modernization initiatives is boosting order growth for defense contractors, including ATRO [5] - Other defense companies like Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc. (KTOS) and Esco Technologies (ESE) are also showing strong book-to-bill ratios and revenue growth prospects, with KTOS reporting a ratio of 1.2 and ESE's Aerospace & Defense segment at 1.06X [6][7] Group 3: Stock Performance and Valuation - ATRO shares have surged 109.6% year-to-date, significantly outperforming the industry average gain of 19.9% [8][9] - The company is currently trading at a forward 12-month earnings multiple of 20.05X, which is approximately 57% lower than the industry average of 46.84X, indicating a potential undervaluation [10]
LMT's Rotary and Mission Systems Sales to Rise on Key Defense Deals
ZACKS· 2025-06-09 14:56
Core Insights - Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT) is a leading player in the global defense sector, particularly as the largest defense contractor in the United States [1] - The Rotary and Mission Systems (RMS) segment is crucial for LMT, contributing to various defense operations including missile defense and aerial support [1] Group 1: Financial Performance - The RMS unit reported significant year-over-year sales growth: 5.9% in Q1 2025, 6% in Q3 2024, 16.7% in Q2 2024, and 16.5% in Q1 2024 [2][7] - LMT shares have increased by 3% over the past year, while the industry average growth is 13.7% [6] - LMT trades at a forward P/E ratio of 16.98X, which is below the industry average of 26.81X, indicating a relative discount [8] Group 2: Contract Wins and Market Position - LMT has secured several defense contracts, including the TPY-4 radar system for Sweden and a $25 million contract for Sentinel A4 engineering services [3][7] - Other U.S. defense contractors like Northrop Grumman and RTX are also experiencing strong contract flows, contributing to their revenue stability [4][5] Group 3: Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for LMT's earnings for 2025 and 2026 has improved over the past 60 days, although estimates for the second quarter of 2025 have declined [9]
Northrop Grumman Vs. Lockheed Martin: Which Defense Prime Is The Better Buy?
Seeking Alpha· 2025-06-05 20:38
Group 1 - The current administration is facing various conflicts and threats, indicating a turbulent political environment [1] - PropNotes specializes in identifying high-yield investment opportunities for individual investors, leveraging professional Prop Trading expertise [2] - The analysis provided by PropNotes aims to simplify complex investment concepts and offer actionable insights for better market returns [2] Group 2 - The article emphasizes the importance of expert research in making informed investment decisions [2] - There is a beneficial long position in shares of companies like NOC and LMT, indicating potential investment interest [3] - The article does not provide specific investment recommendations or advice, highlighting the need for individual assessment [4]
RTX's Missile Sales Soar With Key Wins in U.S. Defense Contracts
ZACKS· 2025-06-03 15:21
Core Insights - RTX Corporation is a leading defense contractor specializing in missile systems, with a strong portfolio that includes various advanced missile technologies and systems [1] - The Raytheon business segment of RTX has shown significant organic sales growth, indicating robust demand for its combat-proven missile systems [2][7] - Recent major defense contracts secured by RTX are expected to enhance its performance and revenue growth in the near future [3] Group 1: Company Performance - RTX's Raytheon unit reported organic sales growth of 2% year over year in Q1 2025 and 10% in Q4 2024, reflecting strong market demand [2][7] - The company has secured several significant contracts, including a $1.10 billion modification for AIM-9X missiles and a $2.13 billion contract for SM-3 variants, which will contribute to future revenue [3][7] Group 2: Industry Context - The defense industry is experiencing a surge in contract flows as nations modernize their defense systems, benefiting major contractors like RTX, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman [4][5] - RTX shares have outperformed the industry, gaining 27.1% over the past year compared to the industry's 13.9% growth [6][7] Group 3: Valuation Metrics - RTX shares are currently trading at a forward P/E of 21.86X, which is lower than the industry average of 26.51X, indicating a relative discount [8][7] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RTX's near-term earnings has declined over the past 60 days, suggesting potential challenges ahead [9]