tiprankstipranks
Trending News
More News >
Leonardo DRS (DRS)
NASDAQ:DRS

Leonardo Drs (DRS) AI Stock Analysis

Compare
1,082 Followers

Top Page

DRS

Leonardo Drs

(NASDAQ:DRS)

Select Model
Select Model
Select Model
Outperform 73 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:73Outperform
Price Target:
$49.00
▲(11.82% Upside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:02/25/26
The score is driven primarily by solid fundamentals (growth and conservative leverage) and favorable technical trend signals. Earnings call commentary and 2026 guidance are supportive, but the overall rating is held back by a high P/E and ongoing risks around margin/cash-flow consistency and supply-chain/material cost pressures.
Positive Factors
Revenue & Backlog Growth
Sustained double‑digit organic growth and multi‑year backlog (book‑to‑bill ≥1.2x, $8.7B backlog) provide durable revenue visibility, supporting production planning, reinvestment and multi‑year contract capture that underpins predictable top‑line expansion.
Conservative Balance Sheet
Marked deleveraging and rising equity alongside net cash and a new $500M revolving facility increase financial flexibility, lowering refinancing risk and enabling funding of CapEx, R&D and M&A without stressing liquidity over the medium term.
Program Wins & Tech Expansion
Strategic wins in space sensing and satellite communications broaden addressable markets and deepen technological differentiation, creating durable competitive advantages across defense systems that support higher‑margin, longer‑duration contracts.
Negative Factors
Raw Material & Supply Risk
Dependence on scarce inputs like germanium creates persistent cost and delivery risk; ongoing price volatility and supplier constraints can compress margins, require contract repricing or capitalized supplier investments, and slow program execution over months.
Margin & Profitability Volatility
Uneven operating profits and swings in net margin reduce earnings quality and predictability; this makes cash conversion and return projections less reliable, complicating capital allocation and investor visibility into sustainable margin levels.
Elevated CapEx & R&D Intensity
Material step‑up in company‑funded R&D and higher CapEx supports future growth but exerts near‑term pressure on margins and free cash flow; sustained high investment rates prolong payback periods and raise execution and funding risk if revenue ramps lag.

Leonardo Drs (DRS) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Leonardo Drs Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionLeonardo DRS, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides defense products and technologies in the land, air, sea, space, cyber and security, and commercial domains for military applications. It operates in two segments, Advanced Sensing and Computing, and Integrated Mission Systems. The company offers advanced sensor technologies, including infrared systems and sensors for threat detection and situational awareness; uncooled infrared systems and brownout solutions; airborne, ground vehicle mounted, and dismounted soldier electronic warfare (EW) systems; and EW software and training systems, and intelligence solutions. It also provides computing systems for ground vehicles, ships, and submarines; network and data distribution applications; sensor systems; and networked computing infrastructure on military platform. In addition, the company offers force protection systems, such as solutions for counter-unmanned aerial systems, short-range air defense systems, and active protection systems; and power control, distribution, conversion, and propulsion systems, as well as hybrid electric drive propulsion systems, energy storage, gas turbine packages, nuclear instrumentation and controls, and thermal management and refrigeration equipment. It serves the U.S. military, aerospace and defense prime contractors, government intelligence agencies, and international military customers. The company was founded in 1969 and is based in Arlington, Virginia.
How the Company Makes MoneyLeonardo DRS generates revenue through multiple key streams, primarily from the sale of defense electronics and systems to government and military organizations. The company earns money by securing contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense and various allied nations, often through competitive bidding processes. Additionally, revenue is generated from long-term support and maintenance contracts for their products, which provide ongoing income. Strategic partnerships with other defense contractors and technology firms also contribute to revenue growth, allowing DRS to offer integrated solutions and access new markets. Furthermore, the company invests in research and development to innovate and expand its product offerings, positioning itself favorably within the defense technology landscape.

Leonardo Drs Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Feb 24, 2026
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:May 06, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call conveyed a broadly positive outlook: the company posted double-digit organic revenue growth (13% FY), record bookings, improving profitability (adjusted EBITDA and EPS growth) and strong free cash flow while investing heavily in R&D and capacity to capture future demand. Notable operational strengths include a key space program win, expanded infrared and radar demand, and Columbia Class execution. Offsetting risks include germanium shortages and material cost pressure, a one‑off legacy program loss that dented segment results, and elevated CapEx and R&D that compressed near‑term margins. Management provided solid 2026 guidance (6%–8% revenue growth, margin improvement) and described mitigation actions for supply constraints.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Revenue Growth
Full year 2025 revenue of $3.6 billion, representing 13% organic growth versus 2024; Q4 2025 revenue of $1.1 billion, up 8% year-over-year.
Record Bookings and Backlog Visibility
Fourth consecutive year with book-to-bill of 1.2x or better and year-end backlog of $8.7 billion, providing clear multi‑period revenue visibility.
Robust Profitability and EPS Expansion
Full year adjusted EBITDA of $453 million (up 13% YoY) with adjusted diluted EPS up 24% for the full year; Q4 adjusted EBITDA $158 million (up 7% YoY) and Q4 adjusted diluted EPS up 11%.
Exceptional Free Cash Flow and Strong Balance Sheet
Q4 free cash flow of $376 million and full year free cash flow of $227 million (19% growth in 2025); ended year with net cash and subsequently secured a new $500 million revolving credit facility.
Significant Strategic Investments
Internal R&D increased 40% in 2025 and capital expenditures rose more than 60% year-over-year; 2026 CapEx expected to trend toward ~5% of revenue to expand capacity (Charleston naval power facility, tactical radar and infrared capacity, demo assets).
Major Program Wins and Technology Demonstrations
Landmark position on SDA Tranche 3 tracking layer (space infrared sensing) and successful demonstration of secure multichannel software-defined radio for satellite communications, strengthening space market presence.
Segment Strengths and Broad-Based Demand
Broad-based growth across Advanced Sensing & Computing and Integrated Mission Systems (ASC delivered 9% Q4 / 11% FY growth; IMS delivered 5% Q4 / 15% FY growth), driven by tactical radars, electric power & propulsion, counter-UAS and advanced infrared sensing.
Improving Program Profitability
Columbia Class naval program executing well and contributing to improved profitability and margin tailwinds within IMS.
Commercial Monetization of Non-Core IP
Executed a 10-year, $100 million license agreement for laser IP with a quantum technology company, monetizing non-core commercial opportunity while keeping strategic focus on defense markets.
2026 Growth Guidance
2026 revenue guidance of $3.85–$3.95 billion (implying 6%–8% organic growth) and adjusted EBITDA guidance of $505–$525 million (implying a 70–90 bp margin improvement); adjusted diluted EPS guidance of $1.20–$1.26.
Negative Updates
Material Shortages and Raw Material Cost Pressure
Supply chain complexity related to critical raw materials—most notably germanium—drove material cost growth and less efficient program execution; management noted price volatility may persist and will require contract repricing and supplier investments.
Legacy Program Loss Impacting Results
Conclusion of a legacy foreign ground surveillance program due to obsolescence resulted in a non-anticipated loss that negatively impacted IMS adjusted EBITDA in both Q4 and full year 2025.
R&D Investment Pressure on Margins
Substantially higher company-funded R&D created a ~70 basis point year-over-year headwind to full year margins as R&D was increased 40% to accelerate capability development.
Flat Full-Year Margins Despite Higher Volume
Full year adjusted EBITDA margin was flat at 12.4% as higher volume and Columbia Class profitability were offset by R&D increases and material cost inflation; ASC margins benefited from one-time laser license, masking underlying pressure.
CapEx Intensity Increased
CapEx rose more than 60% in 2025 and is expected to approach ~5% of revenue in 2026, increasing near-term cash deployment (management expects improved working capital efficiency to partially offset).
Program Execution Sensitivity
Management noted elongated conversion cycles in parts of the portfolio and that revenue execution is sensitive to pace of material receipts and labor execution; Q1 guidance implies modestly lower near-term margins (low-11% adjusted EBITDA margin expected).
Company Guidance
The company guided 2026 revenue of $3.85–$3.95 billion (implying 6%–8% organic growth) with adjusted EBITDA of $505–$525 million (a 70–90 bps margin improvement versus 2025) and adjusted diluted EPS of $1.20–$1.26 per share (assuming an 18.5% tax rate and ~269 million fully diluted shares); they expect amortization roughly flat, depreciation modestly higher with D&A together ~3% of revenue, company-funded R&D to remain at a comparable percentage to 2025 (mid‑3% range), CapEx to rise to just under ~5% of revenue, free cash flow conversion of ~80% of adjusted net earnings, Q1 revenue in the low $800 millions with an adjusted EBITDA margin in the low‑11% range, revenue and EBITDA linearity similar to recent years with the back half of 2026 contributing slightly more than half of revenue and more than half of adjusted EBITDA, and modest improvements in free cash flow linearity.

Leonardo Drs Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Steady revenue growth through 2025 and a notably stronger, low-leverage balance sheet support the score. Offsetting factors are uneven operating profitability and inconsistent cash conversion, including a 2025 free-cash-flow decline versus 2024.
Income Statement
72
Positive
Revenue has expanded steadily since 2022 (about $2.69B to $3.65B in 2025), indicating solid demand and execution. Profitability is positive but mixed: gross margin has improved versus earlier years, while net margin is moderate in 2024–2025 after an unusually strong 2022. A key weakness is volatility in operating profitability (large step-down from 2022 and an inconsistent operating profit picture across periods), suggesting earnings quality and margin durability should be watched.
Balance Sheet
83
Very Positive
The balance sheet looks conservatively levered, with debt-to-equity improving meaningfully over time (about 0.37 in 2020 down to ~0.13 in 2025) alongside rising equity. Returns on equity are solid and generally improving from 2023 to 2025, supporting the view that capital is being used effectively. Main watch item: profitability swings (seen in the income statement) can still translate into variability in returns despite the strong capitalization.
Cash Flow
64
Positive
Cash generation is generally positive, with operating cash flow and free cash flow improving strongly from the 2022 trough (when free cash flow was negative) to healthy positive levels in 2023–2025. However, free cash flow declined in 2025 (down ~14%), and cash conversion is not consistently strong versus earnings (free cash flow runs well below net income in recent years). Overall, cash flow is improving but shows volatility and less-than-ideal consistency.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue3.65B3.23B2.83B2.69B2.88B
Gross Profit847.00M736.00M648.00M575.00M547.00M
EBITDA441.00M376.00M313.00M624.00M293.00M
Net Income278.00M213.00M168.00M405.00M154.00M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets4.49B4.18B3.92B3.68B3.07B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments647.00M598.00M467.00M306.00M240.00M
Total Debt347.00M458.00M497.00M487.00M490.00M
Total Liabilities1.76B1.63B1.60B1.55B1.48B
Stockholders Equity2.73B2.56B2.33B2.13B1.59B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow227.00M186.00M145.00M-32.00M118.00M
Operating Cash Flow366.00M271.00M205.00M33.00M178.00M
Investing Cash Flow-154.00M-84.00M-59.00M436.00M39.00M
Financing Cash Flow-163.00M-56.00M15.00M-403.00M-38.00M

Leonardo Drs Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price43.82
Price Trends
50DMA
38.32
Positive
100DMA
37.98
Positive
200DMA
40.61
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.42
Negative
RSI
62.40
Neutral
STOCH
54.77
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For DRS, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 43.82 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 39.95, above the 50-day MA of 38.32, and above the 200-day MA of 40.61, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.42 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 62.40 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 54.77 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for DRS.

Leonardo Drs Risk Analysis

Leonardo Drs disclosed 55 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Leonardo Drs reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Leonardo Drs Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
74
Outperform
$11.07B42.6413.33%0.46%7.11%13.43%
73
Outperform
$11.66B36.8710.52%1.04%12.27%33.16%
68
Neutral
$17.24B19.3412.24%0.09%1.83%-0.73%
67
Neutral
$17.57B28.4512.42%1.53%2.60%-18.22%
64
Neutral
$18.68B55.4028.44%0.56%14.01%10.92%
63
Neutral
$10.79B15.437.44%2.01%2.89%-14.66%
55
Neutral
$15.45B689.061.31%14.00%23.78%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
DRS
Leonardo Drs
42.36
12.76
43.09%
HII
Huntington Ingalls
435.58
266.35
157.39%
KTOS
Kratos Defense
88.23
63.27
253.49%
MOG.A
Moog
346.08
177.30
105.05%
TXT
Textron
96.64
23.64
32.39%
BWXT
BWX Technologies
208.27
102.45
96.82%

Leonardo Drs Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Leonardo DRS Posts Strong Q4 and 2025 Revenue Growth
Positive
Feb 24, 2026

On February 24, 2026, Leonardo DRS reported that fourth‑quarter 2025 revenue rose to $1.1 billion and full‑year revenue to $3.6 billion, up 8% and 13% respectively, with net earnings of $102 million for the quarter and $278 million for the year and a stable adjusted EBITDA margin of 12.4%. Bookings reached $4.2 billion for 2025, producing a 1.2x book‑to‑bill ratio and lifting backlog 3% to $8.7 billion, as strong demand for tactical radars, power and propulsion and infrared sensing, plus a net $6 million non‑routine revenue benefit from a quantum laser IP license and conclusion of a legacy foreign ground surveillance program, underpinned double‑digit growth and a confident initial outlook for 2026.

The most recent analyst rating on (DRS) stock is a Buy with a $50.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Leonardo Drs stock, see the DRS Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyPrivate Placements and Financing
Leonardo DRS Secures New Five-Year $500 Million Credit Facility
Positive
Jan 28, 2026

On January 28, 2026, Leonardo DRS, Inc. and certain U.S. subsidiaries entered into a new five-year senior unsecured $500 million revolving credit facility with a syndicate of lenders led by JPMorgan Chase Bank, replacing the company’s prior credit agreement from November 29, 2022. The facility, which can be drawn for working capital and other general corporate purposes, features variable interest based on base rate or Term SOFR plus leverage-linked margins, commitment fees on undrawn amounts, and joint and several guarantees from most U.S. subsidiaries, while imposing customary financial covenants, including maximum total net leverage and minimum interest coverage ratios, and standard restrictions on additional debt, liens, dividends, investments, and major transactions; the prior facility was terminated with no outstanding borrowings and no early termination penalties.

The most recent analyst rating on (DRS) stock is a Buy with a $45.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Leonardo Drs stock, see the DRS Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board Changes
Leonardo DRS Names Sally Wallace Executive Vice President COO
Positive
Jan 6, 2026

On January 6, 2026, Leonardo DRS appointed longtime executive Sally Wallace as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, with immediate effect, continuing her direct reporting line to President and CEO John Baylouny. A 20-year veteran of the company with prior roles including Executive Vice President of Business Operations and President of the C4ISR Group, Wallace’s promotion underscores Leonardo DRS’s bid to strengthen its leadership bench and operational execution as it seeks sustained growth and to capitalize on strong market positions and expanding opportunities in advanced defense technologies for national security customers.

The most recent analyst rating on (DRS) stock is a Buy with a $50.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Leonardo Drs stock, see the DRS Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Feb 25, 2026