oonal/iStock via Getty Images Listen here or on the go via Apple Podcasts and Spotify Sifting the World's Chris DeMuth Jr. discusses value investing and his top thoughts for the new year (0:25). 2 stocks: Willis Lease and FTAI Aviation (3:00). Relevant risks and metrics (6:50). California First Leasing possibly misunderstood (9:15). Gambling and activist investing (12:20). Healthcare and AI (35:50). Transcript Rena Sherbill: Chris Demuth Jr., who funnily enough, it's been exactly two years since we'v ...

Key Takeaways RYCEY has climbed about 12.9% YTD in 2026, reaching fresh record highs in every trading session.RYCEY's rally reflects strong civil aerospace demand and expanding defense programs and contracts.ETFs like NATO, EUAD and WCMI hold meaningful RYCEY stakes, offering diversified exposure to the surge.Rolls-Royce (RYCEY) has started 2026 with strong momentum, up nearly 12.9% year to date and reaching new record highs in each trading session so far (as reported by CNBC).  For investors watching the u ...

Core Insights - The global aviation industry is experiencing growth driven by increased aircraft deliveries, expanding airline fleets, and rising demand for fuel-efficient jet engines [1][3] - Rolls-Royce and Boeing are leading players in the aerospace sector, focusing on propulsion technologies, sustainable aviation, and aftermarket services [1][2] Company Overview: Rolls-Royce - Rolls-Royce is transforming to enhance efficiency and develop hybrid-electric propulsion systems [2] - The company reported a 17% year-over-year increase in sales from its Civil Aerospace segment in the first half of 2025 [6] - Rolls-Royce ended June 2025 with cash and cash equivalents of approximately $7.95 billion and gross debt of $4.64 billion, indicating a solid solvency position [4] Company Overview: Boeing - Boeing is advancing its leadership through innovations in aircraft design, engineering, and maintenance solutions [2] - The Boeing Commercial Airplanes division reported a 63% year-over-year rise in revenues for the second quarter of 2025 [6] - As of June 30, 2025, Boeing had cash and cash equivalents of $22.97 billion, with long-term debt totaling $44.60 billion [5] Growth Drivers - The recovery in global air passenger traffic has fueled demand for jet engines and related services, benefiting both companies [6] - Rising global demand for defense equipment has also supported revenue growth, with Rolls-Royce reporting a 1% increase in defense revenues and Boeing's defense segment seeing a 10% rise [7] Competitive Positioning - Rolls-Royce benefits from a strong position in widebody aircraft engines and a diversified portfolio, including marine propulsion technologies [8] - Boeing holds a dominant position in the global commercial aircraft market, excelling in advanced aerostructures and digital flight systems [8] Financial Performance and Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Rolls-Royce's 2025 sales and EPS implies improvements of 27.8% and 50%, respectively [13] - Boeing's 2025 sales estimate suggests a year-over-year growth of 29.5, but its near-term estimates have declined over the past 60 days [14] Stock Performance - Rolls-Royce has outperformed Boeing over the past year, with a stock increase of 105.8% compared to Boeing's 38.8% [16] - Rolls-Royce is trading at a premium with a forward price/sales ratio of 4.49X, while Boeing's is 1.80X [17] Final Assessment - Both companies are well-positioned for long-term growth in the aerospace industry, but Rolls-Royce appears better positioned for stronger performance in 2025 [19][20] - Rolls-Royce's focus on widebody aircraft engines and sustainable technologies enhances its growth prospects, while Boeing faces challenges related to supply-chain disruptions [20][21]

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Core Viewpoint - General Electric has transformed into GE Aerospace, a promising business focused on jet engines and services, following a significant corporate restructuring after the Great Recession [1] Group 1: Business Model - GE Aerospace operates a recurring revenue business model, where maintenance services for jet engines contribute significantly to revenue [2] - Approximately 70% of GE Aerospace's overall revenue comes from services, with nearly three-quarters from commercial sales and just over half from military sales [3][4] Group 2: Current Performance - In Q2 2025, GE Aerospace reported a 23% increase in adjusted revenue, a 38% rise in adjusted earnings, and a remarkable 92% growth in free cash flow [5] - The company has raised its full-year guidance for 2025 and extended its outlook through 2028, indicating stronger fundamental business health than previously anticipated [7] Group 3: Future Prospects - GE Aerospace has a substantial backlog of $175 billion, representing contracted work yet to be completed, which includes both jet engine sales and services [8]

Core Insights - Increasing defense spending by the United States and allied nations is driving demand for advanced military technology, benefiting major defense primes like RTX Corp. and General Dynamics [1][3] - Both companies are positioned to capitalize on the expanding U.S. defense budget, with significant allocations for missile defense and naval shipbuilding [8][9] - The commercial aerospace sector is also a growth driver for both companies, with improving air traffic trends supporting their revenue [10][12] Financial Stability & Growth Drivers - As of Q2 2025, RTX has cash and cash equivalents of $4.78 billion and a current debt of $3.72 billion, indicating a solid liquidity position [5] - RTX's cash flow from operating activities is $1.76 billion, allowing for shareholder-friendly actions such as share repurchases and dividends totaling $1.8 billion in H1 2025 [6] - General Dynamics has cash and cash equivalents of $1.52 billion, with long-term debt of $7.51 billion, reflecting a strong liquidity position [7] - GD's cash flow from operations improved by 170.5% year-over-year in H1 2025, enabling share repurchases and dividends of $785 million [7] - Both companies will benefit from a proposed 13% increase in the U.S. defense budget to $1.01 trillion for fiscal 2026, with specific allocations favoring their respective strengths [8][9] Stock Performance & Valuation - Over the past three months, RTX's stock has increased by 13.6%, while GD's has risen by 13% [18] - In the past year, RTX has outperformed GD with a 32.8% increase compared to GD's 7.1% [18] - General Dynamics has a more attractive forward earnings multiple of 19.51 compared to RTX's 24.94 [19] Efficiency & Profitability - General Dynamics exhibits a higher return on equity (ROE), indicating more efficient profit generation from equity compared to RTX [21][23] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for General Dynamics shows a projected sales increase of 7.2% and earnings growth of 11.5% for 2025, while RTX's estimates imply a 6.1% sales increase and 3.5% earnings growth [15][16]