Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) stock rose an astonishing 31.1% in January according to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence, as the company and the U.S. defense sector were bolstered by President Trump's call for a $1.5 trillion defense budget in 2027. It's a figure equivalent to more than the GDP of the Netherlands and a massive ramp from the $900 billion approved for 2026. In addition, Lockheed released a positive set of full-year earnings and guidance that contained a strategic game-changer for t ...

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NRG) today announced that Sanjay Kapoor has been appointed to its Board of Directors, effective February 3, 2026. Mr. Kapoor also will serve on the Board's Audit Committee. "Sanjay brings decades of financial insight and seasoned leadership to our Board, and we are pleased to have him join NRG,†said Larry Coben, Chair and Chief Executive Officer. "His demonstrated judgment and extensive experience overseeing complex public companies will further strengthen o ...

Core Viewpoint - South Korea's stock market has experienced significant gains in 2026, with the Kospi Composite rising 27% year-to-date, driven by strong performances in memory chip and defense stocks [1] Group 1: Market Performance - The Kospi Composite index increased by 1.6% on a recent Wednesday, contributing to a total gain of 27% for the year [1] - The iShares MSCI South Korean ETF (EWY), which is U.S.-listed, has surged by 28% in 2026 [1] Group 2: Volatility Trends - Despite the stock market rally, volatility in South Korea's market has also risen unusually [1]

450 drones and over 70 missiles hit Ukraine overnight, just as U.S.-brokered talks are set to resume in Abu Dhabi this week. Yet, prediction market traders see a near coin-flip chance of an official ceasefire before the end of 2026.Ukrainian officials argue Russia used an energy-strike pause to stockpile for a bigger hit, while Moscow says the moratorium expired, Reuters reported on Tuesday.That setup supports a common negotiating posture: increase pressure to try to extract concessions at the table.Meanwhi ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a strong start to fiscal Q1 2026, with revenue guidance raised by $90 million and EBITDA guidance increased by $60 million, reflecting solid performance [8][17] - EBITDA margin for the quarter was 52.4%, slightly better than expected, with strong operating cash flow generation of over $830 million [10][11] - The company ended the quarter with a cash balance of over $2.5 billion and a net debt to EBITDA ratio of 5.7 times, down from 5.8 times [33][34] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total commercial OEM revenue increased approximately 17% year-over-year, driven by higher build rates from Boeing and Airbus [22][23] - Commercial aftermarket revenue grew by approximately 7%, with all submarkets experiencing positive growth, particularly in commercial transport [25][26] - Defense market revenue grew by approximately 7%, supported by new business wins and increased defense spending globally [26][27] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Commercial OEM bookings were up significantly, indicating a recovery from previous disruptions, with growth in the high teens percentage [23][24] - The commercial aftermarket is expected to grow in the high single-digit percentage range, supported by strong bookings and positive indicators [25][26] - Defense bookings were robust, significantly surpassing sales for the period, indicating a strong backlog in the defense segment [27] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company maintains a consistent long-term strategy focused on proprietary aerospace businesses with significant aftermarket content, aiming for private equity-like returns [7][8] - Recent acquisitions, including Stellant Systems, Jet Parts Engineering, and Victor Sierra Aviation, align with the company's strategy to enhance its aftermarket revenue and strengthen partnerships with airlines [12][14] - The capital allocation priorities remain focused on reinvesting in businesses, disciplined M&A, and returning capital to shareholders [15][16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the fiscal year, noting that underlying market fundamentals have not changed significantly, and they are encouraged by the current trends in commercial aerospace [17][18] - The company anticipates continued growth in commercial OEM and aftermarket segments, with guidance reflecting a conservative approach due to potential risks in production rates [18][19] - Management remains focused on operational excellence and value drivers, with a commitment to closely monitor market developments [19][20] Other Important Information - The company has signed agreements for three new acquisitions, with a total expected revenue contribution of approximately $580 million for the 2025 calendar year [11][12] - The company has significant M&A firepower remaining, approaching $10 billion, providing flexibility for future opportunities [16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Profitability in the quarter - Management noted that the EBITDA margin of 52.4% was better than expected, driven by strong growth in commercial OEM and effective cost management [40] Question: Distributor POS and aftermarket growth - Management confirmed that distributor POS growth has been strong, but there has been some headwind from inventory changes, which should turn into a tailwind as the year progresses [44][46] Question: Aftermarket bookings growth - Management indicated that aftermarket bookings grew faster than revenue, but specific numbers were not disclosed, emphasizing a rolling 12-month average for bookings [60][62] Question: Acquisitions and market trends - Management acknowledged that acquisition prices reflect current market trends but believe they paid fair prices that align with their targeted IRR [81][82] Question: Material share loss from PMAs - Management stated that there has been no material share loss from PMAs, and operational teams are effectively meeting customer demand [86] Question: Margin structure of acquired businesses - Management indicated that while the acquired businesses have growth potential, they do not expect their margins to reach the company's average levels [99]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a strong start to fiscal Q1 2026, with revenue guidance raised by $90 million and EBITDA guidance increased by $60 million, reflecting solid performance [14][15] - EBITDA margin for the quarter was 52.4%, slightly diluted by recent acquisitions, but overall margin performance improved compared to expectations [8][17] - Free cash flow for the quarter was just under $900 million, higher than average due to timing of interest and tax payments, with a full-year guidance of approximately $2.4 billion [30][31] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Commercial OEM revenue increased approximately 17% year-over-year, driven by higher build rates from Boeing and Airbus [19][20] - Commercial aftermarket revenue grew by approximately 7%, with all submarkets experiencing positive growth, particularly in commercial transport [23] - Defense market revenue grew by approximately 7%, supported by new business wins and increased defense spending globally [25] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The commercial OEM market is expected to see revenue growth in the high single digits to mid-teens percentage range, contingent on production rates from Boeing and Airbus [16][22] - Commercial aftermarket growth is anticipated to be in the high single-digit percentage range, with strong bookings supporting this outlook [24] - Defense revenue growth is projected in the mid-single-digit to high single-digit percentage range, with robust bookings indicating a healthy backlog [25] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company maintains a consistent long-term strategy focused on proprietary aerospace businesses with significant aftermarket content, aiming for private equity-like returns [5][6] - Recent acquisitions, including Stellent Systems, Jet Parts Engineering, and Victor Sierra Aviation, align with the company's strategy to enhance its aftermarket revenue and strengthen partnerships with airlines [10][11] - The capital allocation priorities remain focused on reinvesting in businesses, pursuing disciplined M&A, and returning capital to shareholders [12][13] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the current fiscal year, noting favorable commercial aerospace trends and stable airline schedules [6][15] - The company is closely monitoring the aerospace and capital markets, with a focus on operational excellence and value drivers [17][28] - Despite potential risks, management believes the company is well-positioned for the remainder of fiscal 2026 [17] Other Important Information - The company ended the quarter with a cash balance of over $2.5 billion, providing significant liquidity for future capital requirements [31][33] - The net debt to EBITDA ratio improved to 5.7 times, down from 5.8, indicating a stronger financial position [31][32] Q&A Session Summary Question: How is the company thinking about profitability cadence through the year? - Management noted a stronger than expected margin performance in Q1, attributing it to a favorable mix and cost management efforts, with a conservative outlook for the remainder of the year [37][39] Question: Can you comment on distributor POS and aftermarket growth? - Management confirmed that distributor POS growth has been strong, but noted that inventory changes have created some headwinds, which are expected to turn into tailwinds as the year progresses [42][44] Question: What is the expected impact of the Jet Parts Engineering and Victor Sierra acquisitions? - Management emphasized that the acquisitions were made based on their strong business fundamentals and potential for a 20% IRR, rather than as a defensive strategy against competitors [73][74] Question: How does the company view the current M&A environment? - Management acknowledged that while acquisition prices are reflective of broader market trends, they believe the prices paid for recent acquisitions are fair and aligned with their return targets [80][81] Question: What is the outlook for the commercial OEM segment? - Management indicated that they believe they are through the destocking phase and are encouraged by the production rates from Boeing and Airbus, although risks remain in the supply chain [106][107]

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: KTOS), a technology company in Defense, National Security and Global Markets, today announced that Kratos has been awarded contracts valued in total at approximately $65 million to design, develop and deliver simulators and other solutions for warfighter training supporting operations and maintenance of key aircraft and other platforms. The Kratos-built training systems support a wide variety of knowledge sets ac ...

AI-Powered Technique for Rendering 3D Environments Enables Rapid Creation of Photorealistic Virtual Worlds for Defense, Enterprise and Immersive Gaming Applications Walk the terrain before you fight on it! With Virtuix's Virtual Terrain Walk (VTW), warfighters can physically walk high-fidelity, geo-specific virtual terrain in 360 degrees to familiarize themselves with the battlespace for immersive mission planning, terrain reconnaissance, and leader rehearsals at echelon. More info: https://virtuix.co ...

We came across a bullish thesis on General Dynamics Corporation on The Boring Finance Guy’s Substack. In this article, we will summarize the bulls’ thesis on GD. General Dynamics Corporation's share was trading at $349.95 as of January 29th. GD’s trailing and forward P/E were 23.09 and 20.75 respectively according to Yahoo Finance. Photo by NASA on Unsplash General Dynamics Corporation operates as an aerospace and defense company worldwide. GD enters 2026 with exceptional operational momentum, supported ...

Modern aircraft hangar with a stealth fighter jet beside a large aircraft fuselage section, aerospace defense setting. Key Points Defense stocks soared in 2025, and many of the industry's biggest players just reported their year-end results. Northrop Grumman and RTX gained positive reactions from their releases, with shares and price targets rising. Despite shares falling, analysts are still optimistic on General Dynamics. Interested in Northrop Grumman Corporation? Here are five stocks we like better ...