Summary of Curtiss Wright's Presentation at the William Blair Growth Stock Conference Company Overview - **Company**: Curtiss Wright - **Industry**: Aerospace and Defense - **Key Personnel**: CEO Lynn Bamford, CFO Chris Farkas, Head of Investor Relations Jim Ryan - **Milestone**: Celebrated 95 years on the New York Stock Exchange [8][9] Core Messages - **Pivot to Growth Strategy**: Launched four years ago, focusing on growth and operational excellence [6][12] - **Financial Performance**: Strong financial results with a track record of achieving financial targets set during Investor Days [7][12] - **Engineering Workforce**: Approximately 9,000 employees, with 2,000 engineers, emphasizing collaboration and talent development [11] Operational Strategies - **Operational Growth Platform**: Focus on maximizing profitability through commercial and operational excellence [12] - **R&D Investments**: Increased R&D investments above sales growth, contributing to margin expansion and earnings growth in the mid-teens [12][26] - **Cost Efficiency**: Ongoing consolidation programs to drive efficiencies and reinvest in the business [13] End Markets and Growth Opportunities - **Navy Footprint**: Significant supplier for U.S. Navy platforms, targeting increased content for future generation platforms [19][20] - **Defense Electronics**: Partnership with NVIDIA to enhance electronics capabilities for battlefield technology [20] - **Nuclear Industry**: Focus on aftermarket services, life extensions, and new reactor builds, including small modular reactors (SMRs) [18][22][24] Market Trends - **Commercial Aerospace**: Anticipated multiyear ramp in growth, heavily focused on OEM [31] - **Foreign Military Spending**: Increased spending contributing to growth in defense markets [31] - **Nuclear Energy Expansion**: Targeting significant growth in nuclear energy, with potential for $1.5 billion in market share from Eastern Europe and additional opportunities from U.S. reactor builds [28][39][40] Financial Targets and Performance - **Sales Growth**: Targeting over 5% organic sales growth, with mid to high single-digit growth in defense markets [31] - **Operating Margins**: Expected operating margin expansion, with a current target of 18.4% [34] - **Free Cash Flow**: Projecting $1.3 billion in free cash flow over three years, with a strong focus on capital allocation [35][36] Future Outlook - **Nuclear Reactor Opportunities**: Anticipating orders for AP1000 reactors in 2026, with significant growth potential in the nuclear sector [43] - **Strategic Partnerships**: Collaborations with major players in the nuclear industry to enhance market position [40][41] Conclusion - **Investment Proposition**: Curtiss Wright's pivot to growth strategy is yielding positive results, with strong market positioning and a focus on delivering value to shareholders [28][29]

Investment Rating - The report provides an "Overweight" (OW) rating for several companies, indicating a positive outlook for their performance in the market [9][13]. Core Insights - The report highlights opportunities arising from the trade war and China's stimulus measures in the near term [5]. - Medium-term growth is expected to be driven by the "China+1" strategy, post-war reconstruction, and advancements in robotics [6]. - Long-term stability is supported by structural growth drivers within the industry [7]. Company Summaries - Shenzhen Inovance is positioned to benefit from the industrial automation (IA) cycle inflection [9]. - Weichai Power is anticipated to experience growth as China's heavy-duty truck (HDT) market enters an upcycle [9]. - Evergreen Marine is expected to gain from supply chain adjustments [9]. - SANY and XCMG are set to benefit from increasing demand for construction machinery [9]. - Sanhua and Leader Drive are identified as key players in the humanoid robot sector [9]. - C SF Holdings and ICT are likely to benefit from further supply chain adjustments [9]. - Weichai's market share in large-bore engines is projected to grow significantly [9]. - TTI is sustaining growth through innovation and a shift towards cordless tools [9]. - CRRC is benefiting from high-speed train demand and the phase-out of diesel engines [9]. - ST Engineering is expanding internationally amid geopolitical tensions [9].

Noah Poponak, CFA +1(212)357-0954 | 28 May 2025 | 8:44AM EDT Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc. (HII): Management meeting takeaways: substantially increased support of US Navy shipbuilding is We hosted a group investor meeting with Huntington Ingalls management, including CEO Christopher Kastner, CFO Thomas Stiehle, and VP Investor Relations Christie Thomas. Investor conversation focused on the proposed defense reconciliation legislation and recent Navy contract modifications, how HII is navigating labor an ...

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry or specific companies involved in the US-Japan tariff negotiations Core Insights - The third round of US-Japan tariff negotiations did not result in significant changes, with Japan continuing to advocate for the removal of reciprocal tariffs on autos, steel, and aluminum [2] - Economic security emerged as a key theme in the discussions, reflecting its importance in both the US-Japan negotiations and the recent US-UK trade agreement [4] - The Japanese government is exploring the establishment of a "Japan-US fund for reviving the shipbuilding industry," indicating a focus on enhancing cooperation in sectors deemed critical for national security [6] Summary by Sections Trade Negotiations - The third round of negotiations on May 23 saw no major shifts in Japan's position, with a focus on achieving an agreement during the upcoming G7 summit [2] - A telephone conversation between Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and President Donald Trump prior to the negotiations covered various topics, including tariff negotiations and economic security [3] Economic Security - Economic security was highlighted as a significant factor in the negotiations, with implications for tariffs on key imports [4] - The discussions included Japan's interest in securing rare earth supplies and cooperation on alternative technologies, further emphasizing the strategic nature of the negotiations [3] Shipbuilding Industry - The potential establishment of a Japan-US fund for the shipbuilding industry could lead to deeper collaboration in this sector, which is viewed as vital for national security [6] - The report suggests that government initiatives aimed at enhancing economic security will impact a wide range of Japanese companies beyond just shipbuilding [6] Investment Opportunities - The trade talks are expected to encourage further investment in the US, particularly in shipbuilding and other sectors related to economic security [5] - President Trump's recent announcements regarding commercial deals in the Middle East, totaling around $2 trillion, may also serve to attract more Japanese investment in the US manufacturing sector [7]

Core Insights - HII hosted members of the UK House of Commons Defence Committee to support the AUKUS partnership, focusing on providing Australia with nuclear-powered submarines and advanced capabilities [2][3][6] Group 1: AUKUS Partnership - The visit by the Defence Committee was aimed at reinforcing the trilateral AUKUS partnership, which involves Australia, the UK, and the US [2][3] - HII is committed to supporting AUKUS objectives, including the construction of nuclear-powered submarines and enhancing industrial capacity across the involved nations [6][7] Group 2: Workforce Development - HII showcased its workforce development expertise during the visit, emphasizing the importance of skilled labor in supporting AUKUS initiatives [3][6] - The company is a founding member of the AUKUS Workforce Alliance, aimed at preparing a skilled workforce for Australia's nuclear-powered submarine program [7] Group 3: Industrial Capabilities - HII's Newport News Shipbuilding division is one of only two shipyards capable of designing and building nuclear-powered submarines for the US Navy [7] - The integration of submarine and shipbuilding capabilities among the US, UK, and Australia is crucial for aligned defense production and supply chain collaboration [6][7]

General Dynamics Corp.’s (GD) business unit, NASSCO, recently clinched a contract for the maintenance, modernization and repair of USS America (LHA 6) warship. The award has been offered by the Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C.Valued at $199 million, this contract includes options that, if exercised, will bring the total contract value to $209.2 million. The contract is expected to be completed by July 2027. The work related to this deal will be carried out in San Diego, CA.What’s Favoring GD Stoc ...

Company Overview - HII is a global, all-domain defense provider focused on delivering powerful ships and solutions to protect peace and freedom worldwide [2] - As the largest military shipbuilder in the U.S., HII has a history of over 135 years in advancing national security [3] - The company employs a workforce of 44,000 [3] Upcoming Events - HII will participate in Bernstein's Strategic Decisions Conference on May 28, with a conversation featuring President and CEO Chris Kastner scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Eastern time [1]

Core Viewpoint - Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) has shown strong stock market performance in 2025, delivering a 21% return to shareholders year to date [1] Group 1: Company Overview - Huntington Ingalls Industries is the largest military shipbuilder in the United States, poised to benefit from increased funding for domestic shipbuilding programs proposed by the new Trump administration [2] - The company has a significant order backlog of $48 billion and anticipates over $50 billion in additional awards in the next 20 months, enhancing its earnings potential [9] Group 2: National Security Role - The company plays a critical role in national security by constructing advanced naval vessels, including the only U.S. facility capable of building Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers [4] - Huntington Ingalls also produces Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and develops uncrewed undersea vehicles, showcasing its diverse defense capabilities [5][6] Group 3: Impact of Trump's Defense Agenda - The Trump administration's focus on revitalizing U.S. military strength and enhancing domestic shipbuilding capabilities is expected to benefit Huntington Ingalls [7][8] Group 4: Financial Performance and Growth Outlook - In Q1, Huntington Ingalls reported revenue of $2.7 billion, a 2.5% decline year over year, but earnings per share (EPS) of $3.97 exceeded expectations [10] - The company projects full-year shipbuilding revenue between $8.9 billion and $9.1 billion, indicating a 3% increase from 2024 [10] - A new production site near Charleston, South Carolina, is expected to increase capacity by 20%, supporting future growth [11] Group 5: Dividend and Valuation - Huntington Ingalls has a quarterly dividend of $1.35 per share, yielding 2.31%, and has increased its annual dividend for the past 13 years, indicating potential for future growth [11] - The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 16, which is lower than the average of 19 for its defense sector peers, suggesting it may be undervalued [13][14] Group 6: Investment Perspective - The overall outlook for Huntington Ingalls is positive, with strong fundamentals and strategic positioning in the defense sector making it an attractive option for investors [16]

Core Viewpoint - General Dynamics Corp.'s Bath Iron Works has secured a $216.5 million contract for planning yard support for DDG 51 warships, expected to be completed by July 31, 2026, indicating strong demand for naval capabilities amid rising geopolitical tensions [1][2]. Group 1: Company Developments - The contract awarded to Bath Iron Works is a testament to the increasing demand for modern naval ships, driven by heightened geopolitical tensions and the need for enhanced maritime security [2]. - Bath Iron Works specializes in building the DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, which are in high demand due to their advanced warfighting capabilities [3]. - The Marine Systems segment of General Dynamics is noted for its expertise in designing and building surface combatant and auxiliary ships, positioning the company favorably for future contracts [5]. Group 2: Market Outlook - The global naval combat vessels market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6.5% from 2025 to 2030, driven by the rising demand for efficient naval security systems [4]. - This growth in the naval ship market presents significant revenue opportunities for General Dynamics, enhancing its potential for securing additional contracts [5]. Group 3: Peer Opportunities - Other defense companies, such as Lockheed Martin, Huntington Ingalls Industries, and BAE Systems, are also positioned to benefit from the expanding naval combat vessels market, with respective long-term earnings growth rates of 10.5%, 11%, and 11.9% [6][7][8][9]. Group 4: Price Performance - General Dynamics shares have increased by 11.9% over the past three months, outperforming the industry average growth of 7.6% [10].

Group 1: Deere (DE) - Deere's stock has increased over 16% year-to-date, driven by optimism regarding easing trade tensions [3] - The company reported a first-quarter net income of $869 million, with a full-year forecast of $5 billion to $5.5 billion, but faced a 30% revenue decline and a 50% drop in net income compared to the previous year [5] - Deere's supply chain is relatively protected against tariffs due to domestic manufacturing, and the company is expected to address supply chain adjustments in its upcoming earnings call [9] Group 2: Energy Transfer (ET) - Energy Transfer has a distribution yield of 7.5% and plans to invest $5 billion in growth capital expenditures in 2025, significantly higher than its maintenance capital expenditures of $1.1 billion [12] - The company is in discussions to develop a large LNG export facility in Lake Charles, Louisiana, which could enhance its position in the energy market [13] - The current administration's business-friendly policies are expected to support the development of U.S. energy assets, benefiting companies like Energy Transfer [11] Group 3: Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) - Huntington Ingalls' shares have risen over 20% in 2025, contrasting with a nearly 4% dip in the S&P 500, and the company offers a forward yield of 2.3% [14] - The company reported first-quarter revenue of $2.7 billion, below expectations, but exceeded earnings estimates with an EPS of $3.79 [15] - Management reaffirmed a 2025 forecast of shipbuilding revenue between $8.9 billion and $9.1 billion, alongside a free cash flow projection of $300 million to $500 million [16]