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Leidos Holdings (LDOS)
NYSE:LDOS

Leidos Holdings (LDOS) AI Stock Analysis

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LDOS

Leidos Holdings

(NYSE:LDOS)

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Outperform 72 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:72Outperform
Price Target:
$196.00
▲(15.37% Upside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:02/18/26
The score is driven primarily by improving profitability and strong cash generation, reinforced by constructive 2026 guidance and robust bookings/backlog. These positives are partly offset by weak current technical momentum (below key moving averages), near-term timing and cash-flow headwinds (award slippage and higher capex), and some uncertainty in reported recent revenue growth and debt changes.
Positive Factors
Strong cash generation
Sustained operating and free cash flow near $1.7–1.8B demonstrates high cash conversion and repeated internal funding capacity. This durable cash generation supports capex, dividends, buybacks and M&A without sole reliance on external financing, enhancing long-term capital allocation flexibility.
Robust bookings and backlog
A roughly $49B backlog and consistent bookings provide multi-period revenue visibility in government contracting, smoothing cyclicality. Durable funded backlog and pending awards underpin revenue predictability, support margin planning, and increase win probability for follow-on task orders over the medium term.
Strategic expansion into energy infrastructure
The Entrust acquisition materially scales Leidos’ utility engineering footprint and diversifies revenue into a secular grid modernization cycle. Access to broader utility clients and complementary capabilities should raise addressable market and margin mix over time, strengthening structural growth prospects.
Negative Factors
Award timing risk
Roughly $7B of award slippage creates material timing uncertainty for near-term revenue and cash flow. Because IDIQ positions aren’t recognized as backlog until task orders issue, underlying demand may be intact but revenue realization becomes dependent on award timing, weakening near-term visibility.
Balance-sheet reporting & leverage uncertainty
A dramatic, unexplained step-change in reported debt raises classification or one-off concerns that cloud assessment of leverage. Combined with planned Entrust financing that increases pro-forma leverage, this uncertainty reduces clarity on financial flexibility and elevates refinancing and covenant risk.
Higher capex reduces near-term FCF
A planned material increase in capex to scale production and classified facilities will lower free cash flow versus the prior year. While strategically targeted, higher near-term cash outlays constrain discretionary returns and debt reduction, tightening liquidity and capital allocation flexibility over the coming 2–6 months.

Leidos Holdings (LDOS) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Leidos Holdings Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionLeidos Holdings, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides services and solutions in the defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Defense Solutions, Civil, and Health. The Defense Solutions segment offers national security solutions and systems for air, land, sea, space, and cyberspace for the U.S. Intelligence Community, the Department of Defense, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, military services, and government agencies of U.S. allies abroad, as well as other federal and commercial customers in the national security industry. Its solutions include technology, large-scale systems, command and control platforms, data analytics, logistics, and cybersecurity solutions, as well as intelligence analysis and operations support services to critical missions. The Civil segment provides systems integration services to air navigation service providers, including the federal aviation administration, the En route automation modernization, advanced technology oceanic procedure, time based flow management, terminal flight data management, geo-7, and future flight services, as well as enterprise-information display systems; and security detection and automation services. It also offers information technology (IT) solutions in cloud computing, mobility, application modernization, DevOps, data center, network modernization, asset management, help desk operations, and digital workplace enablement; and environment, energy, and infrastructure services. The Health segment offers solutions to federal and commercial customers responsible for health and well-being of people worldwide, including health information management, managed health, digital transformation, and life sciences research and development services. Leidos Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Reston, Virginia.
How the Company Makes MoneyLeidos generates revenue primarily through government contracts, particularly in defense and intelligence sectors, where it provides a range of services including systems engineering, software development, and data analytics. The company also engages in commercial contracts, offering solutions in cybersecurity and healthcare. Key revenue streams include long-term contracts with federal, state, and local government agencies, as well as partnerships with major defense contractors and commercial entities. Significant factors contributing to its earnings include a robust backlog of contracts, the expansion of its services in emerging technology areas, and strategic acquisitions that enhance its capabilities and market reach.

Leidos Holdings Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Revenue by Customer Type
Revenue by Customer Type
Shows revenue distribution among different customer groups, indicating which sectors or demographics are most lucrative and where there might be potential for growth or diversification.
Chart InsightsLeidos Holdings is experiencing robust growth in revenue from all customer types, with notable strength in the DOD & US Intelligence Community segment. The latest earnings call highlights a strategic focus on growth pillars like digital modernization and AI, which are expected to enhance efficiency and drive future revenue. Despite some challenges from government efficiency actions and procurement delays, the company's increased guidance and successful acquisitions, such as Kudu Dynamics, indicate a positive outlook. The anticipated stronger awards pace could further bolster revenue, particularly in the latter half of the year.
Data provided by:The Fly

Leidos Holdings Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Feb 17, 2026
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:May 05, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call emphasized strong financial and operational momentum — with margin expansion, double-digit EPS and cash growth, robust bookings and backlog, strategic M&A and targeted investments — while acknowledging near-term timing and cyclical headwinds (calendar effects, government shutdown, award slippage), incremental leverage from an acquisition, and planned higher capital spending that will temporarily reduce free cash flow. Management expects growth to accelerate through 2026 and positions the company to capture long-term defense, health, and energy opportunities.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Full-Year Revenue Growth
2025 revenues of $17.2B, up 3.1% year-over-year, with management stating the underlying business grew strongly across the portfolio after adjusting for calendar and shutdown impacts.
Margin Expansion
2025 adjusted EBITDA margin of 14.1%, up 120 basis points year-over-year; Q4 adjusted EBITDA margin 13.2%, up 160 basis points year-over-year, exceeding the top end of prior guidance.
Earnings and EPS Strength
2025 non-GAAP diluted EPS of $11.99, up 17% year-over-year (increase of $1.78 vs. 2024) and $0.24 above the prior guidance high end; Q4 non-GAAP diluted EPS of $2.76.
Record Cash Generation and Free Cash Flow
Record operating cash flow of $1.75B for the year and $495M in Q4. Full-year free cash flow of $1.63B (104% conversion) and Q4 free cash flow of $452M (127% of non-GAAP net income). Free cash flow grew ~26% (management commentary).
Strong Bookings and Backlog Momentum
Q4 net bookings of $5.6B with a book-to-bill ratio of 1.3x (matching prior quarter); funded backlog up 15% year-over-year and total backlog reported at $49B with ~$20B of pending awards.
Strategic M&A and Portfolio Actions
Acquired Kudu Dynamics (May) — described as generating rapid growth and profitability; divested noncore Barrick (Oct) and announced all-cash agreement to acquire Entrust Solutions Group for $2.4B to scale energy engineering capabilities.
Major Contract Wins and Program Access
Notable Q4 awards include a $2.2B Air Force passive radar contract and a $455M Air Force Cloud One Next award. Secured positions on two large IDIQ vehicles (Missile Defense SHIELD $151B and Defense Microelectronics $25B) providing streamlined access to future task orders.
Capital Deployment and Shareholder Returns
Repurchased $305M of shares in Q4, reduced diluted share count by 4.4% during 2025 (contributed ~$0.50 to EPS), paid $55M in dividends, and maintain a disciplined capital plan while funding growth investments.
Negative Updates
Q4 Revenue Decline and Calendar/Government Impacts
Q4 revenue of $4.2B was down 3.6% year-over-year. Management noted a six-week U.S. government shutdown and an extra work week in 2024 that together reduced reported Q4 revenue growth by ~7 percentage points and reduced full-year growth by ~2 points.
Guidance Normalization and Slight Margin Pullback
2026 guidance calls for mid-13s adjusted EBITDA margin versus 14.1% in 2025 (management says this normalizes some one-time 2025 benefits), and revenue guidance of $17.5B–$17.9B (up to 4%), implying a more conservative near-term profile.
Health Segment Near-Term Headwinds
Health expected to have modestly lower revenue and margin in 2026 tied to an additional vendor on VBAMDE work and a transition in DHMSM (electronic health record moving to sustainment). Managed Health Services was a moderate headwind in Q4.
Award Slippage and Timing Risk
Management disclosed approximately $7B of awards slipped from Q4 into the next quarter and stressed that IDIQs themselves are not backlog until task orders are received, creating timing/upside risk for 2026 revenue.
Higher Capital Spend Reduces Near-Term Free Cash Flow
Plan to triple capital expenditures to $350M in 2026 to scale production and classified facilities; management expects free cash flow to be down versus 2025 as a result.
Pro Forma Leverage Increase from Entrust Acquisition
Pro forma gross leverage expected to rise to 2.6x after the $2.4B Entrust acquisition (funded with $500M cash, $500M commercial paper, and $1.4B new bonds). Management views this as within targets but it increases leverage versus current 1.9x.
Program and Volume Uncertainties
Some defense margins may modestly decline in 2026 as certain high-margin airborne programs ebb; DHMSM volumes declined as the program entered sustainment, and competition (e.g., for VA medical exams) could pressure terms in future recompetes.
Company Guidance
Leidos guided 2026 revenues of $17.5B–$17.9B (up to ~4% vs. 2025, with growth building through the year toward a double‑digit exit) and adjusted EBITDA margin in the mid‑13s, with non‑GAAP diluted EPS of $12.05–$12.45 (assumes ~ $200M interest expense, ~24% effective tax rate and ~129M weighted average shares); management expects operating cash flow of ~$1.75B (despite a ~$90M Section 174 timing headwind) and said free cash flow will be down as CapEx is tripled to $350M (vs. $312M IRAD + CapEx invested in 2025), the 2026 guide excludes the $2.4B Entrust acquisition (to close in Q2; pro forma gross leverage ~2.6x vs. current 1.9x with $1.1B cash and $4.6B debt), and reminds investors 2025 finished with $17.2B revenue, 14.1% adjusted EBITDA margin, $11.99 non‑GAAP EPS, $1.63B free cash flow (104% conversion), Q4 revenue $4.2B, Q4 net bookings $5.6B (book‑to‑bill 1.3x) and funded backlog up 15% (total backlog ≈ $49B).

Leidos Holdings Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Strong and improving cash generation (operating cash flow ~$1.75B and strong free cash flow) and a clear profitability rebound (higher net and operating margins). Balance sheet metrics appear to improve sharply, but the unusually large reported debt swing and the anomalous latest revenue growth figure add uncertainty and temper the score.
Income Statement
74
Positive
Revenue has generally trended up from ~$12.3B (2021) to ~$17.2B (2026 annual), but the latest reported revenue growth is sharply negative, indicating a potential one-off or data-quality risk that clouds the near-term trajectory. Profitability has improved meaningfully versus 2023, with net margin rebounding to ~8.5% (2026) from ~1.3% (2023) and operating margin rising to ~12.3%, suggesting stronger execution and/or mix. Gross margin has also stepped up over time (mid-14% range in 2021–2023 to ~17.7% in 2026), though overall margins remain moderate for the sector.
Balance Sheet
78
Positive
Leverage appears to improve dramatically in the latest period, with debt-to-equity dropping to ~0.12 (2026) versus ~1.2–1.37 in prior years, which would be a major strengthening of the balance sheet if sustained. Equity has grown to ~$4.9B while assets are ~$13.5B, supporting a sturdier capital base. A key watch-out is the large step-change in total debt (from ~$5.3B in 2025 to ~$0.6B in 2026), which is unusual and may reflect a structural change or reporting classification; that uncertainty tempers an otherwise strong leverage signal.
Cash Flow
84
Very Positive
Cash generation is solid and improving: operating cash flow rose to ~$1.75B (2026) from ~$1.39B (2025), and free cash flow is strong at ~$1.75B with very high reported growth in the latest period. Free cash flow closely matches net income in 2026 (about 1:1), indicating good earnings quality and cash conversion. The main weakness is that operating cash flow has covered only a modest portion of total debt historically (coverage below ~0.62 and closer to ~0.25–0.46 in earlier years), though this risk would be reduced if the latest lower-debt position is durable.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue17.17B16.66B15.44B14.40B13.74B
Gross Profit3.03B2.80B2.24B2.08B2.01B
EBITDA2.41B2.12B946.00M1.42B1.48B
Net Income1.46B1.25B199.00M685.00M753.00M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets13.49B13.10B12.70B13.07B13.26B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments1.20B943.00M777.00M516.00M727.00M
Total Debt5.93B5.29B5.20B5.49B5.67B
Total Liabilities8.53B8.64B8.44B8.72B8.92B
Stockholders Equity4.92B4.41B4.20B4.30B4.29B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow1.63B1.24B958.00M857.00M927.00M
Operating Cash Flow1.75B1.39B1.17B986.00M1.03B
Investing Cash Flow-421.00M-142.00M-211.00M-313.00M-730.00M
Financing Cash Flow-1.13B-1.08B-715.00M-865.00M-113.00M

Leidos Holdings Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price169.89
Price Trends
50DMA
185.95
Negative
100DMA
188.10
Negative
200DMA
176.83
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-4.97
Positive
RSI
39.89
Neutral
STOCH
38.92
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For LDOS, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 169.89 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 180.87, below the 50-day MA of 185.95, and below the 200-day MA of 176.83, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -4.97 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 39.89 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 38.92 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for LDOS.

Leidos Holdings Risk Analysis

Leidos Holdings disclosed 2 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Leidos Holdings reported the most risks in the "Legal & Regulatory" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Leidos Holdings Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
80
Outperform
$56.96B17.8332.85%2.58%4.62%1.06%
72
Outperform
$22.01B15.6331.05%0.87%6.48%22.17%
69
Neutral
$12.94B25.2613.18%12.61%11.85%
68
Neutral
$29.20B13.3915.16%1.46%7.44%-4.57%
66
Neutral
$23.08B14.7115.82%2.78%-1.97%48.61%
64
Neutral
$3.95B11.1823.75%1.69%-0.38%31.38%
61
Neutral
$37.18B12.37-10.20%1.83%8.50%-7.62%
* Technology Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
LDOS
Leidos Holdings
169.89
41.53
32.35%
CACI
Caci International
590.03
254.40
75.80%
CTSH
Cognizant
61.33
-21.19
-25.68%
INFY
Infosys
14.24
-5.76
-28.79%
SAIC
Science Applications
86.79
-12.42
-12.52%
WIT
Wipro
2.20
-1.03
-31.80%

Leidos Holdings Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyPrivate Placements and Financing
Leidos Expands and Extends Revolving Credit Facility Agreement
Positive
Feb 17, 2026

On February 12, 2026, Leidos Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries entered into an amendment and restatement of their existing credit agreement, increasing the revolving credit facility from $1.0 billion to $1.5 billion and extending its maturity to five years after the restatement date. The revised facility also lowers unused commitment fees, removes a prior credit spread adjustment, and leaves the term loan facility terms largely unchanged, enhancing Leidos’ financial flexibility for working capital and general corporate purposes while maintaining covenant structures similar to the prior agreement.

The most recent analyst rating on (LDOS) stock is a Buy with a $235.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Leidos Holdings stock, see the LDOS Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyStock BuybackDividendsFinancial DisclosuresM&A Transactions
Leidos Reports Strong 2025 Results and Dividend Declaration
Positive
Feb 17, 2026

Leidos Holdings reported on February 17, 2026 that full-year 2025 revenue rose 3% to $17.17 billion, with net income up 17% to $1.46 billion and diluted EPS up 21% to $11.14, driven by efficiencies on fixed-price programs and tighter cost control. Fourth-quarter 2025 revenue declined 4% to $4.21 billion due to an extra work week in 2024 and a six-week government shutdown, but earnings improved, with net income up 19%, adjusted EBITDA margin rising to 13.2%, and record quarterly operating cash flow of $495 million supporting robust buybacks and dividends.

For 2025, Leidos generated $1.75 billion in operating cash flow and $1.63 billion in free cash flow, enabling $1.15 billion in financing outflows, including share repurchases and its dividend program, while ending the year with $1.1 billion in cash and $4.6 billion in debt. The board declared a $0.43 per-share dividend payable March 31, 2026, and after quarter-end the company agreed to acquire power design firm Entrust for $2.4 billion to expand its utility client base and energy infrastructure capabilities, while securing $17.5 billion in net bookings for the year and closing 2025 with a $49.0 billion backlog, underscoring strong demand in its priority markets.

The most recent analyst rating on (LDOS) stock is a Buy with a $219.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Leidos Holdings stock, see the LDOS Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyM&A TransactionsPrivate Placements and Financing
Leidos to Acquire ENTRUST, Expanding Energy Infrastructure Footprint
Positive
Jan 26, 2026

On Jan. 23, 2026, Leidos’ subsidiary Leidos, Inc. agreed to acquire ENTRUST Solutions Group (KENE Parent, Inc.) from KENE Holdings for an all-cash consideration of approximately $2.4 billion, with closing expected by the end of the second quarter of 2026 subject to customary regulatory and antitrust approvals and other closing conditions. The deal will effectively double Leidos’ energy infrastructure engineering business, expand its presence from transmission and distribution into utility gas and electric generation infrastructure markets, and broaden its base of utility clients at a time when U.S. utilities are projected to invest $1 trillion over the next decade in grid modernization; Leidos expects the transaction to be immediately accretive to revenue growth and adjusted EBITDA margin, and to fund it through a mix of new debt, cash on hand, commercial paper and a committed $1.4 billion 364-day bridge credit facility from Citi, signaling a strategic push to solidify the company’s position as a leading engineering solutions provider to the utility sector.

The most recent analyst rating on (LDOS) stock is a Hold with a $190.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Leidos Holdings stock, see the LDOS 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 18, 2026