Sector Spotlight: Demand, backlog expansion drive Q2 results in defense sector

Welcome to the latest edition of “Sector Spotlight,” where The Fly looks at a new industry every week and highlights its happenings.

DEFENSE SECTOR NEWS: Booz Allen (BAH) was awarded a $315M contract with a maximum performance period of up to five years to deliver the Advanced Battle Management System Distributed Battle Management Node Phase II Tactical Operations Center-Light prototype for the Department of the Air Force Program Executive Office for Command, Control, Communications, and Battle Management. Booz Allen is partnering with L3Harris Technologies (LHX) for this rapid prototyping effort aimed at enabling Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control.

Lockheed Martin was awarded a $999M indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Joint Air to Surface Standoff Missile and Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile production support. This contract provides for lifecycle support for all efforts related to JASSM, LRASM and all their variants in the areas of system upgrades, integration, production, sustainment, management and logistical support. Work will be performed at Orlando, Florida, and is expected to be complete by July 17, 2030. This contract was a sole source acquisition. No funds are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center is the contracting activity.

EARNINGS RECAP: L3Harris Technologies delivered a beat and raise quarter in Q2, posting a record book to bill ratio. “We delivered impressive second-quarter results, led by a record book-to-bill of 1.5x, solid organic growth, and year-over-year adjusted segment operating margin expansion for the seventh consecutive quarter. This marks a clear inflection point, with our strongest top-line growth in six quarters and meaningful progress towards our 2026 Financial Framework. Our Trusted Disruptor strategy continues to drive differentiated, mission-critical solutions that meet our customers’ evolving needs while creating value for shareholders,” said Christopher Kubasik, Chair and CEO. Kubasik added, “Defense is entering a generational investment cycle, as U.S. and allied budgets grow rapidly. Demand is accelerating, and our portfolio is aligned with key growth areas – Golden Dome, space, missiles, shipbuilding, autonomy, and resilient communications. With the flexibility of our business-model agnostic approach – able to win as a prime, sub, or merchant supplier – a focused national security portfolio, and competitive momentum from LHX NeXt, we’re confident in our path to sustained profitable growth and long-term value creation.” Susquehanna raised the firm’s price target on L3Harris to $320 from $300 and maintained a Positive rating on the shares. The firm updated its model following the Q2 results while noting concurrent with earnings, certain 2025 guidance items and 2026 target items were increased. Susquehanna believes the company is well positioned to benefit from domestic defense spending priorities, including Golden Dome, missile capabilities, and resilient communications.

Textron (TXT) also beat expectations in the second quarter and maintained its full-year 2025 EPS guidance. “In the quarter, we saw revenue growth in both our commercial aircraft and helicopter businesses, as well as in Bell’s FLRAA program, now known as the MV-75,” said CEO Scott Donnelly. “At Textron Aviation, operations continued to improve as production ramped.” Susquehanna increased its price target on Textron to $95 from $90 and reiterated a Positive rating on the shares. The firm said 2Q25 results beat estimates with revenue of $3.72bn and EPS of $1.55 and noted the company continues to see broad-based demand across the Aviation portfolio.

General Dynamics (GD) noted that Q2 results exceeded their expectations, The company surpassed analyst expectations as well. “During the first half of the year, each of our four segments achieved growth in revenue and earnings, with margins on a companywide basis expanding 50 basis points over the same period last year,” said Phebe Novakovic, chairman and chief executive officer. “Our strong cash flow and healthy backlog position us well to have a good second half.” Wolfe Research upgraded General Dynamics to Outperform from Perform with a $360 price target. The firm cited the company’s Q2 beat with an improved free cash flow and order outlook for the upgrade. The quarter “should be the beginning and not the end,” the analyst told investors in a research note. Wolfe sees an additional 14% upside in the shares.

Lockheed Martin (LMT), on the other hand, fell short of consensus in Q2, citing the negative impact of pre-tax losses on programs of $1.6B and other charges of $169M. While the company did cut FY25 EPS guidance, it maintained its FY25 revenue outlook. Lockheed Martin chairman, president and CEO Jim Taiclet commented, “Based in part on this record of performance as well as the promise of several advanced technologies in development, our U.S. and allied customers are asking us to elevate and accelerate many key programs. For example, several allied nations have recently announced additional F-35 purchases, the U.S. Army has awarded more than $1 billion in missile-related contracts so far, and the U.S. Space Force is ordering additional GPS IIIF satellites. At the same time, our ongoing program review process identified new developments that caused us to re-evaluate the financial position on a set of major legacy programs. As a result, we are taking a number of charges this quarter to address these newly identified risks. We remain committed to delivering these critical capabilities that our customers are counting on and are fully focused on the growth inflection we expect as the result of heightened interest and demand for Lockheed Martin’s products and technologies.” RBC Capital lowered the firm’s price target on Lockheed Martin to $440 from $480 and kept a Sector Perform rating on the shares. Lockheed Martin’s Q2 results were “soft,” with $1.6B of program losses driving a 78% miss in EPS, the analyst noted. The path to free cash flow growth over the next few years is challenged, the firm said.

RTX (RTX) beat Q2 expectations, cut its FY25 EPS view and raised its FY25 revenue outlook. “We continued our momentum in the second quarter with organic sales and profit growth* across all three segments, including 16 percent commercial aftermarket growth,” said RTX chairman and CEO Chris Calio. “Our backlog grew to $236 billion, up 15 percent versus prior year, and we secured major awards for our geared turbofan engines and integrated air and missile defense capabilities in the quarter.” Morgan Stanley elevated its price target on RTX to $180 from $165 and keeps an Overweight rating on the shares. The firm named the stock its “Top Pick in Aerospace” after the company reported a Q2 beat. Given its strong underlying fundamentals and demand across its end markets, RTX should be able to narrow the valuation gap to premium peers, the analyst argued.

Northrop Grumman (NOC) exceeded street expectations in Q2, noting its EPS included a $1.04 benefit from the training services divestiture completed in the quarter. “The Northrop Grumman team delivered a strong second quarter, with increased sales and outstanding operating performance,” said Kathy Warden, chair, chief executive officer and president. “We continue to see growing demand globally for our broad range of product offerings, which resulted in 18% international sales growth in the quarter. With confidence in our team and our ability to deliver for our customers, we are increasing our full-year guidance for segment operating income, EPS and free cash flow.” BTIG boosted the firm’s price target on Northrop Grumman to $630 from $575 and backed a Buy rating on the shares following the quarterly results. Northrop Grumman remains one of the best ways to play the growth in international defense spending at the large-cap level, the analyst contended.