Industry Overview - The Zacks Aerospace-Defense industry is characterized by companies that design and manufacture heavy-built products, including commercial and military jets, helicopters, combat vehicles, missiles, and military satellites [2][3] - The industry also encompasses cybersecurity firms providing IT services and C4ISR solutions, with revenue streams from defense contractors offering spare parts and maintenance services [3] Key Trends - Increasing Defense Budget: The proposed U.S. defense budget is set to rise to approximately $1.5 trillion in fiscal 2027 from $901 billion in fiscal 2026, which is expected to support long-term contract awards and production rates for defense companies [4] - Air Traffic Growth: Global air passenger traffic increased by 5.7% year over year in November 2025, with a revised full-year forecast of 5.2% for 2025, indicating strong demand in the aviation sector that benefits defense companies [5] - Supply-Chain Challenges: The industry faces significant supply-chain disruptions leading to delivery backlogs of over 17,000 aircraft, which is nearly 60% of the world's active fleet, impacting growth potential despite rising air travel demand [6][7] Market Performance - The Aerospace-Defense industry has outperformed the Zacks S&P 500 composite with a 36.6% increase over the past year, while the Zacks Aerospace sector rose by 40.5% [11] - The industry currently trades at an EV/Sales ratio of 3.39X, lower than the S&P 500's 5.84X and the sector's 3.82X, indicating potential valuation opportunities [14] Notable Companies - **Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII)**: Focuses on nuclear-powered ships and has announced an expansion of its unmanned facility in the U.K. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HII's 2026 sales indicates a 4.9% improvement year over year [17][18] - **Intuitive Machines (LUNR)**: A diversified space company that recently acquired Lanteris Space Systems for $800 million. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for LUNR's 2026 sales suggests a significant increase of 108.7% year over year [20][21] - **L3Harris Technologies (LHX)**: Engaged in advanced defense technologies and has proposed a partnership with the U.S. Department of War to expand solid rocket motor production. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for LHX's 2026 sales indicates a 6.4% increase year over year [23][24]

Core Insights - Lockheed Martin's shares have increased by 13.7% over the past month, outperforming the Zacks Aerospace-Defense industry's growth of 3.6% [1][7] - The company is one of the largest U.S. defense contractors, benefiting from a steady order flow from the Pentagon and U.S. allies [1][3] Performance of Other Defense Stocks - Boeing and Northrop Grumman have also shown strong performance, with shares rising by 16.6% and 9.2% respectively during the same period [2] Factors Supporting Lockheed Martin - Lockheed Martin's platform-centric focus ensures a steady inflow of follow-on orders across major U.S. military branches and IT programs [3][18] - The U.S. defense budget is expected to rise significantly, with military spending proposed to reach approximately $1.5 trillion by 2027, up from $901 billion in 2026 [3] - A historic deal in January 2026 for PAC-3 MSE production will enhance revenues through increased missile output to meet rising demand [4][18] - Record deliveries of 191 F-35 fighter jets in 2025 reflect sustained global demand and strengthen long-term production and maintenance contracts [5][18] - Lockheed Martin secured a contract for 18 space vehicles from the Space Development Agency, valued at over $1 billion, enhancing its role in space-based defense capabilities [8] Challenges Faced by Lockheed Martin - The company has encountered performance issues on a classified contract, resulting in significant losses, including $950 million in the first nine months of 2025 [9] - Additional losses were reported on various programs, including $570 million on the Canadian Maritime Helicopter Program and $95 million on the Turkish Utility Helicopter Program [9] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings per share indicates a slight decrease of 0.17% over the past 60 days, with a long-term earnings growth rate projected at 11.85% [10] - Lockheed Martin has consistently beaten earnings estimates in the past four quarters, with an average surprise of 13.29% [12] Valuation Metrics - Lockheed Martin's forward 12-month price-to-sales ratio is 1.64X, which is a discount compared to the industry's average of 2.72X, indicating a favorable valuation relative to expected sales growth [15]

Group 1: Defense Spending and Market Impact - President Trump's proposal for a $500 billion increase in annual defense spending has led to a rally in defense stocks globally, with European defense stocks rising by as much as 3.8% on January 8, 2026, and a weekly advance of approximately 13% [1][2] - Global military spending reached a record $2.718 trillion in 2024, marking the 10th consecutive year of growth, with a 37% increase since 2015 and a 9.4% rise in 2024, the largest annual increase since at least 1988 [4] - Following geopolitical tensions, all 32 NATO members increased their defense budgets in 2024, with 18 countries meeting or exceeding the 2% of GDP target set by the bloc [5] Group 2: Executive Actions and Industry Outlook - An executive order signed by Trump mandates major U.S. defense contractors to suspend stock buybacks, halt dividend payments, and cap executive pay at $5 million annually, directing more capital towards factory expansion and weapon development [6] - The S&P 500 earnings for the December quarter are projected to rise by 62.3% year-over-year, with the aerospace sector expected to show the highest earnings growth among 16 sectors [7] Group 3: Valuation and Performance Metrics - The Zacks Aerospace-Defense industry ranks 95, placing it in the top 39% of over 250 Zacks industries, while the aerospace sector holds a strong Zacks Sector Rank of 3 [8] - The aerospace sector's debt-to-equity ratio stands at 0.19X, significantly lower than the S&P 500 average of 0.57X, indicating a more conservative financial structure [9] - The iShares US Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA) has increased by about 55% over the past year, compared to a 17% rise in the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY), although the industry now trades at a forward P/E of 22.97X, higher than the S&P 500's 18.58X [12]

Core Insights - Boeing Company's shares have increased by 2.6% over the past three months, outperforming the Zacks Aerospace-Defense industry's growth of 1.1% [1][8] - The company is experiencing growth across its commercial, defense, and services sectors, driven by strong aircraft demand, significant contract awards, and a solid backlog [1][4] Company Performance - Boeing has secured its largest-ever airplane order from Alaska Airlines, which will enhance its order backlog and long-term revenue visibility [5] - The company was awarded a $2 billion contract from the U.S. Air Force for the B-52 Commercial Engine Replacement Program, reinforcing its position as a key defense contractor [6] - Boeing's forward price-to-sales (P/S) ratio is 1.84X, which is lower than the aerospace-defense industry's average of 2.71X, indicating a potential undervaluation [8][18] Challenges - Despite strong growth potential, Boeing faces challenges such as supply-chain disruptions, including shortages of engines and critical components, which have delayed aircraft deliveries and increased production costs [10][11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Boeing's 2026 earnings per share (EPS) has decreased by 21.83% in the past 60 days, indicating a decline in earnings expectations [12] Investment Considerations - Boeing's trailing 12-month return on invested capital (ROIC) is negative and lags behind the peer group's average, suggesting insufficient returns on investments [16] - The company has beaten earnings estimates in two of the last four quarters, but has a negative average surprise of 22.4% [14]

Core Insights - RTX Corporation (RTX) stock has increased by 9.8% over the past month, outperforming the Zacks Aerospace-Defense industry's growth of 3.7% and the broader Zacks Aerospace sector's gain of 4.5%, as well as the S&P 500's return of 0.2% [1] Group 1: Recent Performance - Other industry players, such as Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) and General Dynamics (GD), have also shown strong performance, with HII shares rising by 15% and GD by 5.9% in the same period [3] - RTX's recent stock gains are attributed to notable contract wins, which have bolstered investor optimism [5] Group 2: Contract Wins - In January 2026, RTX secured a $438 million contract from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the Radar System Replacement program, aimed at modernizing the U.S. National Airspace System [5] - In December 2025, RTX won a $1.7 billion contract to provide Spain with four Patriot air and missile defense systems, including radars and command systems [6] - Additionally, RTX received a $168 million contract to supply Romania with equipment for the Patriot air and missile defense system [8] Group 3: Financial Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RTX's 2026 sales indicates a year-over-year growth of 6.6%, while the earnings estimate suggests an increase of 8.6% [9] - Current estimates for RTX's sales in the current year (2025) are $87.07 billion, with a projected increase to $92.82 billion in 2026 [10] - The earnings per share (EPS) for the current year is estimated at $6.19, with a projected increase to $6.72 in 2026, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 8.60% [11] Group 4: Valuation and Liquidity - RTX's forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is 27.95X, which is lower than the industry average of 31.12X, indicating a potentially attractive valuation [12] - The current ratio for RTX is 1.07, suggesting that the company has sufficient capital to meet its short-term debt obligations [14]

Core Insights - Lockheed Martin's shares have declined by 6% over the past six months, underperforming the Aerospace-Defense industry's growth of 3.3% [1] - The company is facing challenges due to a shortage of skilled labor and significant losses in various fixed-price and classified programs [1][10] - Despite these challenges, Lockheed Martin's substantial contract wins and a robust backlog of $179.1 billion indicate a strong long-term revenue and growth outlook [3][4][21] Company Performance - Lockheed Martin secured major defense contracts in Q3 2025, including a $10.9 billion CH-53K helicopter deal and a $9.8 billion PAC-3 MSE interceptor order [3] - The company's backlog is expected to see approximately 36% recognized over the next 12 months and about 61% over the next 24 months, supporting long-term revenue prospects [4] - The company has a strong order flow with several programs entering growth phases, such as F-35 sustainment and increased PAC-3 production [5] Challenges - Lockheed Martin is experiencing operational and financial pressures due to workforce shortages and substantial program losses, with $950 million in losses recorded on a classified fixed-price incentive fee contract [10][11] - The aerospace-defense industry is facing an aging workforce and high attrition rates, complicating talent retention [10] Investment Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Lockheed Martin's earnings per share (EPS) indicates a slight increase of 1.6% for 2025 and 0.88% for 2026 over the past 60 days [12] - The company has consistently beaten earnings estimates in the past four quarters, with an average surprise of 13.29% [14] Valuation Metrics - Lockheed Martin's trailing 12-month return on invested capital (ROIC) exceeds the peer group's average, indicating effective investment returns [16] - The stock trades at a forward 12-month price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 1.35X, which is a discount compared to the industry's average of 2.41X [18]

Core Insights - Archer Aviation Inc. (ACHR) has seen a share price increase of 44.7% over the past year, outperforming the Zacks Aerospace-Defense industry's growth of 22.9% and the broader Zacks Aerospace sector's gain of 20.6% [1] - Other industry players like RTX Corporation and Huntington Ingalls have also performed well, with share price increases of 47.6% and 61.8%, respectively [2] Group 1: Company Performance - ACHR's strong performance may attract investors, but it is essential to evaluate whether the company's fundamentals can sustain long-term growth or if the recent surge is temporary [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a year-over-year improvement in ACHR's losses for 2025 and 2026 [11] - ACHR's stock is currently trading at a discount, with a trailing 12-month Price/Book (P/B TTM) ratio of 2.92X compared to the industry average of 6.29X [13] Group 2: Strategic Developments - In November 2025, Archer Aviation signed an agreement to supply Anduril Industries and EDGE Group with its electric powertrain technology to support the development of Anduril's Omen Autonomous Air Vehicle system [4] - The company has acquired Hawthorne Airport in Los Angeles for $126 million, which will support its planned LA air taxi network and serve as a testbed for AI-powered technologies [5] - Archer Aviation has entered into an agreement with Korean Air to launch its Midnight eVTOL aircraft in Korea, with plans for Korean Air to purchase up to 100 aircraft [6] Group 3: Market Trends and Challenges - The global eVTOL market is expected to grow steadily due to rising demand for urban air mobility and advancements in sustainable transportation [7] - Despite short-term prospects, ACHR faces long-term uncertainties, including certification hurdles, supply-chain issues, and fluctuating demand for eVTOL travel [9][15] - The company's future growth will depend on its ability to design, build, and certify its aircraft, as well as public perception regarding safety, noise, and cost [16]

Core Insights - Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT) shares have increased by 4.6% over the past three months, underperforming the Zacks Aerospace-Defense industry's growth of 4.9% but outperforming the broader aerospace sector's gain of 3.8% [1][8] - Other industry players like Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) and General Dynamics (GD) have shown stronger performance, with HII shares rising by 18.8% and GD by 10.6% in the same period [2] - LMT's recent stock performance is supported by strong quarterly results, strategic partnerships, and notable contract wins, which have bolstered investor confidence [4][10] Financial Performance - In Q3 2025, LMT reported an 8.8% increase in revenue and a 2.2% rise in net earnings compared to the same period last year [4][8] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for LMT's 2025 sales indicates a year-over-year growth of 4.6%, while the estimate for 2026 sales suggests an improvement of 4.4% [11] - The consensus estimate for 2025 earnings implies a year-over-year decline of 22.3%, but for 2026, it indicates a recovery with an improvement of 33.8% [11] Strategic Developments - In November 2025, LMT formed a strategic collaboration with PsiQuantum to advance quantum computing research for aerospace and defense applications [5] - LMT's Sikorsky unit received a contract for two S-70i FIREHAWK helicopters to enhance wildfire suppression and emergency services in Los Angeles [6] - A partnership with Google Public Sector aims to integrate advanced AI technology into Lockheed Martin's operations, enhancing its capabilities [9] Valuation Metrics - LMT's forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is 15.55X, which is lower than the industry average of 29.21X, indicating a potentially attractive valuation [14] - In comparison, HII and GD have higher forward P/E ratios of 18.98X and 20.61X, respectively [15] Market Outlook - The steady flow of contract wins from the Pentagon and U.S. allies for LMT's defense products serves as a significant growth catalyst [10] - Recent upward revisions in earnings estimates over the past 60 days reflect increasing investor confidence in LMT's earnings generation capabilities [13]

Core Insights - RTX Corporation (RTX) shares have increased by 15.1% over the past three months, outperforming the Zacks Aerospace-Defense industry's growth of 3.7% and the broader Zacks Aerospace sector's gain of 3% [1][8] - Other industry players like Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) and General Dynamics (GD) have also shown strong performance, with HII shares rising by 18.9% and GD by 11.3% in the same period [3] - RTX's recent gains are attributed to strong quarterly results, strategic collaborations, and notable contract wins, contributing to investor optimism [5][8] Financial Performance - RTX reported a solid revenue growth of 11.9% in its third-quarter 2025 results, with a bottom line improvement of 17.2% compared to the same quarter last year [5] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RTX's 2025 sales indicates a year-over-year growth of 7.8%, while the estimate for 2026 sales suggests an improvement of 6.4% [10] - The consensus estimate for RTX's earnings in 2025 and 2026 implies year-over-year growth of 7.9% and 9%, respectively [10] Strategic Developments - In November 2025, RTX signed a Memorandum of Understanding to assist Avio in establishing a solid rocket motor facility in the U.S., enhancing its vertical integration [6] - RTX's Raytheon business secured a contract to support the UK's Space Domain Awareness mission, utilizing NORSSTrack software for satellite tracking and debris monitoring [7] - The company delivered its first PhantomStrike radar to Korea Aerospace Industries for the FA-50 Light Combat Aircraft fleet in October [7] Valuation Metrics - RTX's forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio stands at 26.91X, which is below the industry average of 28.93X, indicating a potentially attractive valuation [14] - Comparatively, HII and GD have lower forward P/E ratios of 19.02X and 20.62X, respectively [15] Market Outlook - The steady flow of contract wins from the Pentagon and U.S. allies for RTX's defense products serves as a significant growth catalyst [9] - Recent upward revisions in RTX's earnings estimates over the past 60 days reflect increasing investor confidence in the company's earnings generation capabilities [12]

Core Insights - Boeing Company's shares have increased by 9.9% year-to-date, underperforming the Zacks Aerospace-Defense industry's growth of 32.5% [1][8] - The company is facing challenges such as labor shortages and ongoing supply-chain issues [1][3] Group 1: Challenges Faced by Boeing - Boeing is experiencing supply-chain disruptions, including shortages of engines and critical components, which are delaying aircraft deliveries and increasing production costs [3][4] - Geopolitical tensions and logistical challenges may prolong these supply constraints until the end of 2025 [4] - According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), aircraft deliveries are currently about 30% below their previous peak, resulting in a record global aircraft backlog of 17,000 units, which negatively impacts Boeing's near-term revenue prospects [5][23] Group 2: Factors Supporting Boeing - Boeing remains a leading aircraft manufacturer in the U.S., with a 38% year-over-year growth in aircraft deliveries for Q3 2025, leading to a 49% increase in revenues for its Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA) segment [10][8] - The company secured 161 net commercial airplane orders in the third quarter, which is expected to enhance long-term revenue performance [11] - A new contract-and-delivery mechanism called Rapid Delivery Release (RDR) is anticipated to improve delivery times to military customers, benefiting Boeing's operational efficiency [12] Group 3: Financial Performance and Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Boeing's earnings per share (EPS) indicates a significant decrease of 310.48% for 2025 and 34.86% for 2026 over the past 60 days [13] - Boeing's trailing 12-month return on invested capital (ROIC) is negative and below the peer group's average, indicating insufficient returns on investments [17] - Boeing's forward 12-month price-to-sales (P/S) ratio is 1.57X, which is lower than the industry's average of 2.35X, suggesting a discount in valuation compared to peers [18][19]