Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bullish stance on Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT).And retail traders should know.We noticed this today when the trades showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga.Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with LMT, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.So how do we know what these investors just did? Today, Benzinga's options scanner spot ...

Core Viewpoint - Lockheed Martin's recent earnings report shows a positive trend in earnings and sales, despite a slight decline in share price over the past month, leading to questions about future performance leading up to the next earnings release [1][2]. Financial Performance - Lockheed Martin reported Q3 2025 adjusted earnings of $6.95 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.33 by 9.8%, and up 2.2% from $6.80 in the same quarter last year [2]. - Net sales reached $18.61 billion, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $18.56 billion by 0.3%, and increased 8.8% from $17.10 billion year-over-year [3]. Operational Highlights - The backlog as of September 28, 2025, was $179.07 billion, up from $176.04 billion at the end of 2024, with significant contributions from various segments: Aeronautics ($47.51 billion), Missiles and Fire Control ($45.91 billion), Rotary and Mission Systems ($47.27 billion), and Space ($38.39 billion) [4]. - Segment performance included: - Aeronautics: Sales increased 11.9% to $7.26 billion, driven by the F-35 program, with an operating profit of $682 million [5]. - Missiles and Fire Control: Sales improved 14.1% to $3.62 billion, with an operating profit of $510 million [6]. - Space: Sales rose 9.1% to $3.36 billion, with an operating profit of $331 million [7]. - Rotary and Mission Systems: Revenues increased 0.1% to $4.37 billion, with an operating profit of $506 million [7]. Financial Condition - Cash and cash equivalents totaled $3.47 billion as of September 28, 2025, up from $2.48 billion at the end of 2024, while cash from operating activities was $5.34 billion compared to $5.95 billion a year ago [8]. - Long-term debt decreased to $20.52 billion from $19.63 billion as of December 31, 2024 [8]. Guidance and Estimates - Lockheed expects 2025 sales in the range of $74.25-$74.75 billion, slightly narrower than the previous estimate, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate at $74.20 billion [9]. - Adjusted EPS guidance has been raised to a range of $22.15-$22.35, compared to the earlier guidance of $21.70-$22.00, with the consensus estimate at $21.86 [10]. - The company anticipates generating approximately $8.50 billion in cash from operations and a free cash flow of about $6.60 billion [11]. Market Sentiment - Estimates for Lockheed Martin have trended downward over the past month, indicating a potential shift in market sentiment [12]. - The company holds a VGM Score of B, with a Growth Score of B, a Momentum Score of F, and a Value Score of B, placing it in the second quintile for value investors [13]. - Lockheed has a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), suggesting an expectation of an in-line return from the stock in the coming months [14].

Core Insights - Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT) reported third-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of $6.95 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.33 by 9.8% and reflecting a 2.2% increase from the previous year's $6.80 [1][8] - The company's net sales reached $18.61 billion, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $18.56 billion by 0.3% and marking an 8.8% increase from $17.10 billion in the same quarter last year [2][8] Operational Highlights - LMT's backlog as of September 28, 2025, was $179.07 billion, up from $176.04 billion at the end of 2024, with significant contributions from various segments: Aeronautics ($47.51 billion), Missiles and Fire Control ($45.91 billion), Rotary and Mission Systems ($47.27 billion), and Space ($38.39 billion) [3] - Segment performance showed notable growth: - Aeronautics sales increased 11.9% year over year to $7.26 billion, driven by the F-35 program, with an operating profit of $682 million [4] - Missiles and Fire Control sales rose 14.1% to $3.62 billion, with an operating profit of $510 million [5] - Space segment sales improved 9.1% to $3.36 billion, with an operating profit of $331 million [6] - Rotary and Mission Systems revenues increased slightly by 0.1% to $4.37 billion, with an operating profit of $506 million [6] Financial Condition - Cash and cash equivalents totaled $3.47 billion as of September 28, 2025, compared to $2.48 billion at the end of 2024, while cash from operating activities was $5.34 billion, down from $5.95 billion a year ago [9] - Long-term debt decreased to $20.52 billion from $19.63 billion at the end of 2024 [9] 2025 Guidance - Lockheed Martin raised its 2025 sales guidance to a range of $74.25-$74.75 billion, compared to the previous estimate of $73.75-$74.75 billion, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate at $74.20 billion [10] - The adjusted EPS guidance was also raised to $22.15-$22.35 from $21.70-$22.00, with the consensus estimate at $21.86 per share [11] - The company expects to generate approximately $8.50 billion in cash from operations and a free cash flow of about $6.60 billion [12]

Core Viewpoint - Lockheed Martin's recent earnings report shows a mixed performance, with adjusted earnings beating estimates but a decline in GAAP earnings, leading to a downward revision in future EPS guidance. Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings for Q2 2025 were $7.29 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.49 by 12.3% and up 2.5% from $7.11 in the prior year [2] - GAAP earnings were reported at $1.46 per share, significantly lower than $6.85 in the same quarter last year [2] - Net sales reached $18.16 billion, missing the consensus estimate of $18.56 billion by 2.2%, but slightly up 0.2% from $18.12 billion year-over-year [4] Operational Highlights - The decline in earnings was attributed to lower consolidated operating profit compared to the previous year [3] - Backlog as of June 29, 2025, was $166.53 billion, down from $172.97 billion as of March 30, 2024, and below the projected $174.48 billion [5] - Aeronautics segment sales increased 2% to $7.42 billion, driven by the F-35 program, but incurred an operating loss of $98 million [6] - Missiles and Fire Control segment saw a 10.7% increase in sales to $3.43 billion, with operating profit rising 6.4% to $479 million [7] - Space segment revenues improved 3.5% to $3.31 billion, with operating profit increasing 4.6% to $362 million [8] - Rotary and Mission Systems segment revenues declined 12.2% to $4 billion, resulting in an operating loss of $172 million [9][10] Financial Condition - Cash and cash equivalents totaled $1.29 billion, down from $2.48 billion at the end of 2024 [11] - Cash from operating activities was $1.61 billion, compared to $3.51 billion a year ago [11] - Long-term debt decreased to $18.52 billion from $19.63 billion as of December 31, 2024 [11] Guidance and Estimates - The company expects 2025 sales in the range of $73.75-$74.75 billion, with a consensus estimate of $74.32 billion [12] - Adjusted EPS guidance was lowered to $21.70-$22.00 from the previous $27.00-$27.30, with the consensus estimate at $27.21 [13] - Free cash flow is expected to be in the range of $6.60-$6.80 billion [14] Market Outlook - Estimates for Lockheed Martin have been trending downward since the earnings release, indicating a potential in-line return in the coming months [15][17] - The company currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) [17] Industry Comparison - Lockheed Martin is part of the Zacks Aerospace - Defense industry, where GE Aerospace reported a 23.4% year-over-year revenue increase to $10.15 billion [19] - GE's EPS for the same period was $1.66, up from $1.20 a year ago, and it holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) [20]

Core Insights - Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT) reported second-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of $7.29 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.49 by 12.3% and showing a 2.5% increase from the previous year's figure of $7.11 [1][2][8] - The company’s GAAP earnings were reported at $1.46 per share, significantly lower than the prior year's $6.85 [1] Financial Performance - Net sales for the quarter were $18.16 billion, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $18.56 billion by 2.2%, but reflecting a slight increase of 0.2% from $18.12 billion in the same quarter last year [3] - The year-over-year sales growth was primarily driven by increases in various business segments, except for Rotary and Mission Systems [3] Backlog and Segment Performance - As of June 29, 2025, LMT's backlog was $166.53 billion, down from $172.97 billion as of March 30, 2024, and below the projected $174.48 billion [4] - The Aeronautics segment accounted for $52.17 billion of the backlog, while Missiles and Fire Control contributed $40.25 billion, Rotary and Mission Systems $38.58 billion, and Space $35.53 billion [4] Segment Highlights - **Aeronautics**: Sales increased by 2% year over year to $7.42 billion, driven by the F-35 program, but the segment incurred an operating loss of $98 million compared to a profit of $751 million in the previous year [5] - **Missiles and Fire Control**: Sales rose 10.7% year over year to $3.43 billion, with operating profit increasing 6.4% to $479 million, although the operating margin contracted by 50 basis points to 14% [6] - **Space**: Revenue improved by 3.5% year over year to $3.31 billion, with operating profit rising 4.6% to $362 million and an operating margin expansion of 10 basis points to 10.9% [7] - **Rotary and Mission Systems**: Revenues declined 12.2% year over year to $4 billion, with an operating loss of $172 million compared to a profit of $495 million in the prior year [9][10] Financial Condition - Cash and cash equivalents totaled $1.29 billion as of June 29, 2025, down from $2.48 billion at the end of 2024, with cash from operating activities amounting to $1.61 billion compared to $3.51 billion a year ago [11] - Long-term debt decreased to $18.52 billion from $19.63 billion as of December 31, 2024 [11] 2025 Guidance - Lockheed Martin updated its 2025 guidance, expecting sales in the range of $73.75-$74.75 billion, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate at $74.32 billion [12] - The adjusted EPS guidance was lowered to $21.70-$22.00 from the previous $27.00-$27.30, with the consensus estimate at $27.21 per share [13] - The company continues to expect cash from operations between $8.50-$8.70 billion and capital expenditure of approximately $1.90 billion [13][14]

Core Insights - Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT) reported first-quarter 2025 earnings of $7.28 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.34 by 14.8% and reflecting a 15% increase from the previous year's $6.33 per share [1] - The company's net sales reached $17.96 billion, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $17.76 billion by 1.1% and showing a 4.5% year-over-year growth from $17.20 billion [2] Operational Highlights - The year-over-year sales growth was driven by increased performance across most business segments, with the exception of Space [2] - LMT's backlog as of March 30, 2025, was $172.97 billion, down from $176.04 billion at the end of 2024, and below the projected $178.46 billion [3] Segment Performance - **Aeronautics**: Sales increased 3.1% year over year to $7.06 billion, attributed to higher sales volume from the F-35 program. Operating profit rose 6% to $720 million, with an operating margin of 10.2% [4] - **Missiles and Fire Control**: Sales improved 12.7% year over year to $3.37 billion, driven by tactical and strike missile programs. Operating profit surged 49.5% to $465 million, with an operating margin of 13.8% [4][5] - **Space**: Sales decreased 2% year over year to $3.21 billion due to lower sales from national security space programs. Operating profit increased 16.6% to $379 million, with an operating margin of 11.8% [5] - **Rotary and Mission Systems**: Revenues rose 5.9% to $4.33 billion, primarily from integrated warfare systems and Sikorsky helicopter programs. Operating profit increased 21.2% to $521 million, with an operating margin of 12% [6] Financial Condition - Cash and cash equivalents totaled $1.80 billion as of March 30, 2025, down from $2.48 billion at the end of 2024. Cash from operating activities was $1.41 billion, compared to $1.64 billion a year ago [8] - Long-term debt decreased to $18.66 billion from $19.63 billion as of December 31, 2024 [8] 2025 Guidance - Lockheed Martin reiterated its 2025 sales guidance, expecting to generate between $73.75 billion and $74.75 billion, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate at $74.23 billion [9] - The company projects adjusted earnings per share in the range of $27.00 to $27.30, with the consensus estimate at $27.17 per share [9] - Expected cash from operations is projected to be between $8.50 billion and $8.70 billion, with capital expenditure around $1.90 billion and free cash flow between $6.60 billion and $6.80 billion [10]