AAR Corp. provides products and services to commercial aviation, government, and defense markets worldwide. It operates through Aviation Services and Expeditionary Services segments. The Aviation Services segment engages in lease and sale of new, overhauled and repaired engine, and airframe parts and components, as well as aircrafts; and offers customized flight hour component inventory and repair, warranty claim management, and outsourcing programs for engine and airframe parts and components. This segment also provides fleet management and operations of customer-owned aircraft for the U.S. Department of State; customized performance-based supply chain logistics programs, which includes material planning, sourcing, logistics, information and program management, airframe and maintenance planning, and component repair, and overhaul services for U.S. Department of Defense and foreign governments. Further, it offers airframe inspection, maintenance, repair and overhaul, painting services, line maintenance, modifications, structural repairs, avionics service and installation, exterior and interior refurbishment, and engineering services and support; and repair and overhaul components including landing gears, wheels, and brakes for commercial and military aircraft; and operates six airframe maintenance facilities and one landing gear overhaul facility. The Expeditionary Services segment designs, manufactures, and repairs transportation pallets and containers and shelters for military and humanitarian tactical deployment activities, including armories, supply and parts storage, refrigeration systems, tactical operation centers, briefing rooms, laundry and kitchen facilities, water treatment, and sleeping quarters, as well as engages in provision of engineering, design, and system integration services for specialized command and control systems. AAR Corp. was founded in 1951 and is headquartered in Wood Dale, Illinois.

AAR Corp.

Eric Pachapa, chief accounting officer and controller of AAR Corp.(NYSE:AIR), executed an open-market sale of 5,000 shares on Aug. 4, 2025, valued at approximately $364,600, reducing his direct ownership of the company to 20,385 shares.
Transaction summary
Shares traded
5,000
Transaction value
$364,581.50
Post-transaction shares
20,385
Post-transaction value
$1.5 million
1-year performance
28.86%
Transaction and post-transaction values based on Aug. 4 market close price of $72.92.
Key questions
How does this transaction compare to Pachapa's historical trading activity?
This transaction is consistent with a recent trend of smaller, more frequent sales, and there have been four trades in the last 30 days, indicating sustained but moderating disposition activity.
What is the significance of the remaining ownership after this sale?
Post-sale, Pachapa retains 20,385 shares, representing approximately 0.06% of shares outstanding (based on the latest available data), with an estimated market value of $1.5 million as of the Aug. 4 close.
How does market performance contextualize the timing of this sale?
The sale occurred after a period of notable appreciation in the stock's value, with a one-year total return of 28.86%. Shares were priced at $72.92 at the time of the transaction.
What patterns emerge in Pachapa's recent insider activity?
His activity shows a declining pattern in trade size and net shares sold -- natural as he has significantly reduced his stake in the company, giving him fewer shares at his disposal to sell. His median trade size decreased from 12,525 shares a couple of years ago to 5,235 shares more recently. Transaction frequency has remained relatively steady, averaging a 59-day gap, and most of his recent trades were clustered in the summer months, suggesting a disciplined, periodic approach to liquidity events.
Company overview
Market capitalization
$2.60 billion
Revenue (TTM)
$2.78 billion
Net income (TTM)
$12.50 million
One-year price change
28.86%
Company snapshot
Provides aftermarket aviation support, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), inventory management, and expeditionary logistics products and services.
Generates revenue through service contracts, parts sales, leasing, and performance-based logistics programs for both commercial and government clients.
Serves commercial airlines, cargo operators, regional carriers, OEMs, leasing companies, and military/government agencies worldwide.
AAR operates at scale in the aerospace and defense sector, leveraging integrated aviation services and supply chain solutions to support both commercial and government aviation markets. The company's strategy centers on providing comprehensive aftermarket support and mission-critical logistics, differentiating itself through reliability and breadth of service offerings. Its established presence and diverse customer base underpin its competitive position in the global aviation services industry.
Foolish take
It's not a good idea to get too perturbed over an executive selling stock. After all, executives, just like retail investors, often have personal and financial motivations for selling shares that may not reflect their views of the company. However, it's still a good idea to keep an eye on what insiders are doing with their stock holdings.
Pachapa, AAR's chief accounting officer and controller, sold this batch of shares after the company's fourth-quarter earnings release somewhat disappointed the market, as revenue fell short of expectations. AAR offers parts supply to the commercial aerospace and defense markets on long-term supply agreements, and maintenance, repair and engineering services, as well as aviation maintenance software solutions.
As such, it's a play on the growth in flight departures and the increasing outsourcing of parts supply and maintenance to companies like AAR. In a world where supply chains are increasingly complex -- and where they have faced severe challenges over the last few years -- it makes sense for airlines and commercial aviation companies to outsource, and AAR has been a beneficiary of that trend.
Indeed, although the company's recent results came up short of expectations in terms of revenue, it did grow sales by 15% year over year and adjusted earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation, and amortization by 19%.
As such, unless the commercial aerospace market is about to slow down, Pachapa's stock sale does not appear to presage any bad news for AAR.
Glossary
Open-market sale: A transaction where shares are sold on a public stock exchange, not through private arrangements.
Insider activity: Buying or selling of a company's stock by its executives, directors, or significant shareholders.
Disposition activity: The process of selling or otherwise disposing of owned shares or assets.
Direct ownership: Shares held personally by an individual, not through trusts or indirect means.
Outstanding shares: The total number of a company's shares currently held by all shareholders.
Total return: The investment's price change plus all dividends and distributions, assuming those payouts are reinvested.
Aftermarket aviation support: Services provided for aircraft after their initial sale, including maintenance and parts supply.
Maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO): Services that keep aircraft operational and safe, including inspections, repairs, and upgrades.
Expeditionary logistics: Rapid deployment of supplies and support to remote or temporary locations, often for military or emergency uses.
OEM: Original equipment manufacturer; a company that makes parts or equipment that may be marketed by another manufacturer.
Performance-based logistics: Service contracts where payment depends on meeting specific performance outcomes, often used in defense and aviation.
TTM: The 12-month period ending with the most recent quarterly report.
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AAR Chief Accounting Officer Sells Shares for $364,600

Jessica A. Garascia, Senior VP, GC, CAO & Secretary, acquired 4,816 shares of AAR(NYSE:AIR) on July 17, 2025, via a grant transaction valued at approximately $402,810.
Transaction summary
Shares Traded
4,816
Transaction Value
$402,810
Post-Transaction Shares
30,657
Year-to-date performance
29.8% total return as of July 20, 2025
Key questions
How does the size of this transaction compare to the insider's historical activity?
This purchase of 4,816 shares is below Jessica A. Garascia's historical median transaction size of 9,765 shares, based on transactions from November 2, 2022, to July 17, 2025, and well below the 75th percentile mark of 23,150 shares, indicating a relatively modest grant compared to prior activity.
What is the impact on insider ownership and alignment?
The transaction raises Garascia's post-transaction holdings to 30,657 shares, representing approximately 0.08% of total shares outstanding.
Is there any observable shift in trading behavior based on recent patterns?
Recent data shows a shift toward more balanced buy and sell activity, with the last five transactions split evenly between purchases and sales (50% buys over the past 12 months).
How does this transaction align with market performance?
The acquisition occurred after a 29.8% year-to-date total return for AAR as of July 20, 2025.
Company overview
Market Capitalization
$2.91 billion
Revenue (TTM)
$2.78 billion
Net Income (TTM)
$12.50 million
One-Year Price Change
15.7%
Company snapshot
Provides aftermarket aviation services, including maintenance, repair, overhaul, inventory management, engineering, and expeditionary equipment for commercial and defense markets.
Generates revenue through service contracts, product sales, leasing, and performance-based supply chain logistics, with a focus on recurring support for aircraft fleets and government programs.
Serves domestic and foreign passenger and cargo airlines, regional carriers, OEMs, aircraft lessors, and military/government agencies worldwide.
AAR is a leading independent provider of aviation services, leveraging a global footprint to support commercial and defense customers with mission-critical aftermarket solutions.
Foolish take
Jessica A. Garascia is a Senior Vice President at AAR Corp, where she serves as General Counsel, Chief Administrative Officer, and Secretary. She recently acquired restricted stock worth slightly more than $400 thousand "upon certification of performance criteria pursuant to a Restricted Stock Agreement."
In other words, this is a reward for the company outperforming targets that had been set to trigger stock awards. Given that the stock has increased by 25% in 2025, shareholders are unlikely to begrudge the transaction, as it aligns with the principle that management should be incentivized to generate value for shareholders.
It comes as AAR Corp recently reported excellent fourth-quarter 2025 earnings, which closed out a year with 20% revenue growth and 17% earnings growth.
AAR Corp's primary business is parts supply, repair, and engineering services to commercial and cargo airlines, as well as aerospace original equipment manufacturers and military customers. It has long-standing relationships with its key customers. It has been performing well, as commercial flight departures have recovered, and airplane deliveries from Boeing and Airbus have lagged behind expectations in recent years.
That means older planes are flying more, and that's usually good news for companies whose end market is tied to the supply and repair of replacement parts. Couple that with good execution on its growth initiatives, such as its new parts distribution business, and the stock's outperformance seems justified.
Glossary
Insider: A company executive, director, or major shareholder with access to non-public company information.
Grant transaction: The allocation of shares or stock options to an employee, usually as part of compensation or incentive plans.
Post-transaction holdings: The total number of shares an insider owns after completing a transaction.
Total return: The investment's price change plus all dividends and distributions, assuming those payouts are reinvested.
Aftermarket aviation services: Maintenance, repair, and support provided for aircraft after their initial sale or delivery.
Maintenance, repair, overhaul (MRO): Services that keep aircraft operational, including routine checks, fixing issues, and major refurbishments.
Performance-based supply chain logistics: Service contracts where payment depends on meeting specific performance or delivery targets.
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer): A company that produces parts or equipment that may be marketed by another manufacturer.
Expeditionary equipment: Specialized gear designed for rapid deployment and use in field or military operations.
TTM: The 12-month period ending with the most recent quarterly report.
Insider ownership: The proportion of a company's shares held by its executives, directors, and key stakeholders.
Transaction value: The total dollar amount involved in a specific share purchase or sale.
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Senior VP Is Granted Shares of AAR (AIR)

For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – July 18, 2025– Today, Zacks Investment Ideas feature highlights PNC PNC, AAR Corp's AIR, Boeing Company BA and Airbus Group EADSY.
PNC & AIR Are 2 Top Stocks to Watch After Earnings
In a busy week that includes much-anticipated quarterly reports, a pair of standouts among the finance and aerospace sectors shouldn't be overlooked.
Sporting a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), these two top-rated stocks are benefiting from strong business industries and are worthy of investors' consideration after exceeding their quarterly expectations on Wednesday and posting sound growth on their top and bottom lines.
PNC's Q2 Results Lead Regional Banks
Showcasing steady expansion in terms of loan growth and net interest income, PNC continued to excel as a premier regional bank that sets itself apart through its investment solutions. Because of such, PNC belongs to the Zacks Financial-Investment Bank Industry, which is currently in the top 15% of over 240 Zacks industries.
With its performance among the top tier of regional banks, PNC showed positive operating leverage (revenue outpacing expense growth) while accelerating customer acquisition and expansion in high-growth markets. Furthermore, PNC illustrated a strong capital position with a CET1 ratio of 10.5%, a key financial metric that measures a bank's core equity capital relative to its total risk-weighted assets and must be at least 8% for commercial banking institutions.
PNC's Q2 sales were up 5% year over year to $5.68 billion, edging estimates of $5.61 billion. Even better, PNC's earnings spiked 16% to $3.85 per share compared to Q2 EPS of $3.30 a year ago. This surpassed the Zacks EPS Consensus of $3.56 by 8% with PNC now exceeding earnings expectations for 10 consecutive quarters.
Additionally, PNC stock stands out after officially announcing it will be increasing its quarterly dividend by 10 cents to $1.70 per share, with an annual yield currently at a generous 3.51% and well above its industry average of 1.92%.
AAR Sets the Tone for Aerospace-Defense Expectations
Pivoting to the aerospace standout, this sector has been on fire this year in correlation with increased global defense spending, and AAR Corp's results for its fiscal fourth quarter helped justify investors' enthusiasm. At the moment, AAR Corp's Zacks Aerospace-Defense Equipment Industry is in the top 30% of all Zacks industries.
As a brief overview, AAR Corp is headquartered in Illinois and was incorporated in 1951, providing various products and services to the aviation and defense industries worldwide. Notably, AAR Corp's principal customers include The Boeing Company and Airbus Group.
AAR Corp's Q4 sales were up 15% to $754.5 million and impressively topped estimates of $691.02 million by 9%. Taking advantage of increased demand, AAR Corp's Q4 earnings soared 32% to $1.16 per share from EPS of $0.88 in the comparative quarter. More impressively, AAR Corp comfortably surpassed its Q4 earnings expectations of $1.00 per share and has now reached or exceeded the Zacks EPS Consensus for a remarkable 30 consecutive quarters, dating back to March of 2018.
As one of the market's top performers this year, AAR Corp's stock is up +40% in 2025 and is sitting on gains of more than +100% in the last three years, with the company's quarterly earnings consistency also illustrated by the green arrows in the Price, Consensus, and EPS Surprise chart below.
Conclusion & Final Thoughts
Following their strong quarterly results, what further makes PNC and AAR Corp's stock stand out is their attractive valuations, with both checking a "B" Zacks Style Scores grade for Value. Trading at very reasonable forward earnings multiples of less than 17X, respectively, PNC and AAR Corp's stock also trade well under the optimum level of less than 2X forward sales. Keeping this in mind, investors certainly shouldn't overlook their impressive reports, making now a good time to buy these top-rated stocks.
Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"
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This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren't winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks' Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.
Media Contact
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800-767-3771 ext. 9339
https://www.zacks.com
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performancefor information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
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Zacks Investment Ideas feature highlights: PNC, AAR Corp, Boeing Company and Airbus Group

In recent trading, shares of AAR Corp (Symbol: AIR) have crossed above the average analyst 12-month target price of $53.00, changing hands for $53.65/share. When a stock reaches the target an analyst has set, the analyst logically has two ways to react: downgrade on valuation, or, re-adjust their target price to a higher level. Analyst reaction may also depend on the fundamental business developments that may be responsible for driving the stock price higher — if things are looking up for the company, perhaps it is time for that target price to be raised.
There are 3 different analyst targets within the Zacks coverage universe contributing to that average for AAR Corp, but the average is just that — a mathematical average. There are analysts with lower targets than the average, including one looking for a price of $50.00. And then on the other side of the spectrum one analyst has a target as high as $57.00. The standard deviation is $3.605.
But the whole reason to look at the average AIR price target in the first place is to tap into a "wisdom of crowds" effort, putting together the contributions of all the individual minds who contributed to the ultimate number, as opposed to what just one particular expert believes. And so with AIR crossing above that average target price of $53.00/share, investors in AIR have been given a good signal to spend fresh time assessing the company and deciding for themselves: is $53.00 just one stop on the way to an even higher target, or has the valuation gotten stretched to the point where it is time to think about taking some chips off the table? Below is a table showing the current thinking of the analysts that cover AAR Corp:
Recent AIR Analyst Ratings Breakdown
Strong buy ratings:
2
2
2
2
Buy ratings:
1
1
1
1
Hold ratings:
0
0
0
0
Sell ratings:
0
0
0
0
Strong sell ratings:
0
0
0
0
Average rating:
1.33
1.33
1.33
1.33
The average rating presented in the last row of the above table above is from 1 to 5 where 1 is Strong Buy and 5 is Strong Sell. This article used data provided by Zacks Investment Research via Quandl.com. Get the latest Zacks research report on AIR — FREE.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

AAR Reaches Analyst Target Price

In a busy week that includes much-anticipated quarterly reports, a pair of standouts among the finance and aerospace sectors shouldn’t be overlooked.
Sporting a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), these two top-rated stocks are benefiting from strong business industries and are worthy of investors' consideration after exceeding their quarterly expectations on Wednesday and posting sound growth on their top and bottom lines.
PNC’s Q2 Results Lead Regional Banks
Showcasing steady expansion in terms of loan growth and net interest income, PNC PNC continued to excel as a premier regional bank that sets itself apart through its investment solutions. Because of such, PNC belongs to the Zacks Financial-Investment Bank Industry, which is currently in the top 15% of over 240 Zacks industries.
With its performance among the top tier of regional banks, PNC showed positive operating leverage (revenue outpacing expense growth) while accelerating customer acquisition and expansion in high-growth markets. Furthermore, PNC illustrated a strong capital position with a CET1 ratio of 10.5%, a key financial metric that measures a bank’s core equity capital relative to its total risk-weighted assets and must be at least 8% for commercial banking institutions.
PNC’s Q2 sales were up 5% year over year to $5.68 billion, edging estimates of $5.61 billion. Even better, PNC’s earnings spiked 16% to $3.85 per share compared to Q2 EPS of $3.30 a year ago. This surpassed the Zacks EPS Consensus of $3.56 by 8% with PNC now exceeding earnings expectations for 10 consecutive quarters.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Additionally, PNC stock stands out after officially announcing it will be increasing its quarterly dividend by 10 cents to $1.70 per share, with an annual yield currently at a generous 3.51% and well above its industry average of 1.92%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
AAR Sets the Tone for Aerospace-Defense Expectations
Pivoting to the aerospace standout, this sector has been on fire this year in correlation with increased global defense spending, and AAR Corp’s AIR results for its fiscal fourth quarter helped justify investors' enthusiasm. At the moment, AAR Corp's Zacks Aerospace-Defense Equipment Industry is in the top 30% of all Zacks industries.
As a brief overview, AAR Corp is headquartered in Illinois and was incorporated in 1951, providing various products and services to the aviation and defense industries worldwide. Notably, AAR Corp's principal customers include The Boeing Company BA and Airbus Group EADSY.
AAR Corp's Q4 sales were up 15% to $754.5 million and impressively topped estimates of $691.02 million by 9%. Taking advantage of increased demand, AAR Corp's Q4 earnings soared 32% to $1.16 per share from EPS of $0.88 in the comeparative quarter. More impressive, AAR Corp comfortably surpassed its Q4 earnings expectations of $1.00 per share and has now reached or exceeded the Zacks EPS Consensus for a remarkable 30 consecutive quarters, dating back to March of 2018.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
As one of the market’s top performers this year, AAR Corp's stock is up +40% in 2025 and is sitting on gains of more than +100% in the last three years, with the company’s quarterly earnings consistency also illustrated by the green arrows in the Price, Consensus, and EPS Surprise chart below.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Conclusion & Final Thoughts
Following their strong quarterly results, what further makes PNC and AAR Corp’s stock stand out is their attractive valuations, with both checking a “B” Zacks Style Scores grade for Value. Trading at very reasonable forward earnings multiples of less than 17X, respectively, PNC and AAR Corp’s stock also trade well under the optimum level of less than 2X forward sales. Keeping this in mind, investors certainly shouldn’t overlook their impressive reports, making now a good time to buy these top-rated stocks.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

PNC & AIR are 2 Top Stocks to Watch After Earnings

Aircraft maintenance service specialist AAR Corp. (NYSE:AIR) reported fiscal 2025 fourth-quarter earnings on Wednesday, July 16, that highlighted its record full-year revenue of $2.8 billion (up 20%). It also reported a 32% increase in Q4 adjusted EPS to $1.16 (from $0.88 a year ago). Management confirmed 14% organic sales growth in Q4 and net leverage improved to 2.7x in Q4, further aligning with long-term deleveraging targets and ongoing portfolio optimization.
The following insights delve into material business developments impacting AAR's growth outlook, operational leverage, and competitive positioning.
Record Margin Expansion and Deleveraging Signal Strategic Execution for AAR
Adjusted EBITDA margin expanded by 140 basis points to 11.8% in fiscal 2025, and the reduction in net leverage from 3.06x to 2.72x in Q4 was fueled by $51 million in Q4 operational cash flow and $48 million from the landing gear divestiture. Furthermore, AAR repurchased $10 million of shares in Q4 at an average cost of $52.37 per share.
"We delivered record full-year results of $2.8 billion, up 20% over the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA margin increased 140 basis points to 11.8% in fiscal 2025, which reflects strong growth across our core segments. We generated record adjusted diluted earnings per share of $3.91 compared to $3.33 last year. We continue to reduce our net leverage, and our strong balance sheet, along with our disciplined capital allocation strategy, has us well-positioned for investments that will drive continued growth."
— John Holmes, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
The combination of improved profitability and a strengthened balance sheet increases AAR's operational flexibility and potential for both organic and inorganic scale.
Trax Acquisition and Digital Strategy Deliver Accelerated, High-Quality Revenue Growth
Trax secured a multi-year contract with Delta Air Lines and is positioned to benefit from both new wins and legacy client upgrades that can quadruple or quintuple average license values. Management highlighted that digital and IP-enabled offerings -- led by Trax's eMRO and eMobility solutions -- represent a differentiated, high-margin growth vector within AAR's evolving portfolio.
"Our goal is to, again, double the revenue of Trax. And we are excited about all those opportunities."
— John Holmes, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Management expects that customer upgrades will unlock further margin expansion, structurally increasing recurring, software-driven revenue streams less exposed to cyclical aviation maintenance spending.
Parts Supply and Distribution Outperformance Underscores AAR Market Share Gains
Parts Supply segment sales in Q4 surged 17% year over year to $306 million, powered by over 20% organic growth in new parts distribution. Distribution now anchors AAR as the foremost independent provider globally, positioning the business for continued partnership opportunities with OEMs (original equipment manufacturers).
"Distribution led the way this quarter with another quarter of 20% plus growth we mentioned, we saw that throughout the year. So distribution has really been the driver there. ... within distribution, you have had a relatively even split in terms of growth in the commercial market and the government market."
— John Holmes, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Sustained above-market parts distribution growth of over 20% signals structural share gains and reinforces AAR's ability to drive consistent, outsized returns in both expansionary and constrained industry environments
Looking Ahead
For fiscal 2026, AAR guides to organic sales growth approaching 9%, based on its FY2025 adjusted sales base of $2.68 billion, with Q1 expected to deliver 6%–11% sales growth and adjusted operating margins between 9.6%–10%. The company is positioned to realize the full $10 million in annual cost synergies from the Product Support acquisition, and the continued rollout of digital and capacity investments is expected to drive further operating margin improvement. Management confirmed that additional M&A remains a strategic focus, with repurchases prioritized over dividend reinstatement, should leverage fall comfortably within the 2.0x–2.5x range.
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AAR Posts Record Q4 Sales Growth

Looking at options trading activity among components of the Russell 3000 index, there is noteworthy activity today in PayPal Holdings Inc (Symbol: PYPL), where a total volume of 57,104 contracts has been traded thus far today, a contract volume which is representative of approximately 5.7 million underlying shares (given that every 1 contract represents 100 underlying shares). That number works out to 55.3% of PYPL's average daily trading volume over the past month, of 10.3 million shares. Especially high volume was seen for the $76 strike call option expiring July 18, 2025, with 4,774 contracts trading so far today, representing approximately 477,400 underlying shares of PYPL. Below is a chart showing PYPL's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $76 strike highlighted in orange:
Novavax, Inc. (Symbol: NVAX) options are showing a volume of 25,979 contracts thus far today. That number of contracts represents approximately 2.6 million underlying shares, working out to a sizeable 55.1% of NVAX's average daily trading volume over the past month, of 4.7 million shares. Especially high volume was seen for the $7.50 strike put option expiring January 16, 2026, with 10,001 contracts trading so far today, representing approximately 1.0 million underlying shares of NVAX. Below is a chart showing NVAX's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $7.50 strike highlighted in orange:
And AAR Corp (Symbol: AIR) saw options trading volume of 1,798 contracts, representing approximately 179,800 underlying shares or approximately 52.4% of AIR's average daily trading volume over the past month, of 343,225 shares. Particularly high volume was seen for the $85 strike call option expiring July 18, 2025, with 235 contracts trading so far today, representing approximately 23,500 underlying shares of AIR. Below is a chart showing AIR's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $85 strike highlighted in orange:
For the various different available expirations for PYPL options, NVAX options, or AIR options, visit StockOptionsChannel.com.
ETFs Holding UBNT
Institutional Holders of MTMT
QDEF YTD Return
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Notable Thursday Option Activity: PYPL, NVAX, AIR

In trading on Thursday, vehicle manufacturers shares were relative leaders, up on the day by about 2.9%. Leading the group were shares of Lucid Group, up about 45.4% and shares of Fly E Group up about 13.1% on the day.
Also showing relative strength are aerospace & defense shares, up on the day by about 2.7% as a group, led by Virgin Galactic Holdings, trading higher by about 21.2% and AAR, trading up by about 12.2% on Thursday.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Thursday Sector Leaders: Vehicle Manufacturers, Aerospace & Defense Stocks

Woodward, Inc. WWD stock has appreciated 52.4% year to date (“YTD”), outpacing the Aerospace -Defense Equipment industry and the S&P 500 composite’s growth of 25% and 5.7%, respectively.
Price Performance of WWD
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The stock is trading above its 100-day moving average, indicating robust upward momentum and price stability. Closing at $253.64 as of yesterday’s trading session, WWD stock is currently hovering near its 52-week high of $255.69, attained on July 8, 2025.
The sharp rally is bound to raise a familiar question, if the stock still has room to run? Let us deep dive into WWD’s pros and cons and ascertain the best action for your portfolio.
Several Tailwinds Favor WWD’s Prospects
Strength in Aerospace is driving top-line expansion for Woodward, along with the core industrial segment. Revenues from Woodward’s Aerospace business are expected to improve in the upcoming quarters, driven by strength in the commercial aftermarket as well as higher defense activity, despite supply-chain challenges. Geopolitical developments have been driving demand for defense products and the company expects strong growth across its defense portfolio, including a considerable increase in smart defense.
For fiscal 2025, Aerospace segment revenues are anticipated to increase in the range of 8-13% compared with 6-13% predicted earlier, whereas its earnings (as percentage of revenues) are still expected to be 20-21%. In the second quarter of fiscal 2025, net sales for the segment were up 12.9% year over year, fueled by strong defense demand and a robust commercial after-market, partially offset by softer commercial OEM and defense after-market sales. Defense OEM sales increased 52%, driven by strong demand for smart defense programs. Commercial after-market sales grew 23%, supported by both higher pricing and volume.
Woodward’s Industrial business segment has been gaining from solid demand for power generation and continued requirement for primary and backup power for data centers. Higher investment in gas-powered generation to support grid stability is another tailwind. Increasing demand for alternative fuels across the marine industry, as well as momentum in the global marine market brought on by higher utilization, bodes well. Within oil and gas, an encouraging investment outlook in China, the Middle East and India’s refining and petrochemical activities are other growth drivers.
Woodward, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Woodward marked a milestone in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 with the delivery of its first MicroNet XT Advanced Gas Turbine Control System for the U.S. Navy's DDG-51 destroyers, under a contract covering 30 units through 2027 and scaling up to 135 in 10-15 years. The next upgrade phase will add redundancy for propulsion systems, with low-rate production planned from 2026 to 2029.
Owing to strong demand momentum, for fiscal 2025, the expected decline in Industrial segment’s revenues has been narrowed to a more favorable range of 7-9% compared with the earlier projection of 7-11%. The company remains confident in achieving core industrial margins between 14% and 15% of sales for the year.
Nonetheless, volatile China on-highway natural-gas truck market, global macroeconomic weakness and rising costs are concerns. In the fiscal second quarter, China’s on-highway sales totaled $21 million, down from $45 million a year ago. Transportation sales declined 18% due to the anticipated drop in China’s on-highway sales. Industrial segment’s earnings were mainly affected by the lower China on-highway volume. Management earlier announced that it expects full-year revenues from China’s on-highway natural-gas trucks to be $40 million for the year, indicating a significant decline from $175 million in fiscal 2024. There is no update for the same on the latest earnings call.
WWD’s Healthy Capital Deployment Strategy
The company’s strong capital-allocation policy bodes well as this enables it to fund strategic initiatives like innovation and acquisitions, and boost capital returns. In the last reported quarter, Woodward returned $61 million to its shareholders in the form of $17 million of dividends and $44 million worth of share repurchases. In the first half of fiscal 2025, total returns to stockholders reached $111 million, including $79 million in share repurchases.
The company remains on track to achieve its 2025 goal of returning approximately $215 million to stockholders, including $150 million in share repurchases and $65 million in dividends. Currently, $130 million remains available under its $600 million stock repurchase authorization.
WWD also hiked its quarterly dividend by 12% to 28 cents per share in February 2025.
WWD Trades at a Discount
WWD stock is trading at a discount, with forward 12-month price/earnings of 35.7X compared with the industry’s 48.83X, making it an attractive investment opportunity.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
How to Strategize Investment in WWD Stock?
WWD’s momentum in Aerospace and core Industrial segments, along with discounted valuation and shareholder returns, makes it an attractive investment for the long term.
It currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Other Stocks to Consider
Some other top-ranked stocks worth consideration from the broader aerospace sector are HEICO Corporation HEI, Curtiss-Wright Corporation CW and AAR Corp. AIR. While HEICO sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), CW and AIR carry a Zacks Rank #2 each. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HEICO’s fiscal 2025 EPS is pegged at $4.57, up 3 cents in the past seven days. The long-term EPS growth rate for HEI is 17.6%. HEICO’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 11.87%. Its shares have gained 34.4% year to date.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CW’s 2025 earnings is pegged at $12.71 per share, improved 1 cent in the past seven days. Curtiss-Wright’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 13.34%. The stock has gained 35.8% year to date.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AIR’s fiscal 2025 EPS is pegged at $3.75, unchanged in the past seven days. AAR Corp’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 4.39%. The stock has appreciated 22.2% year to date.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Woodward Jumps 52% YTD: Where Will the Stock Head From Here?

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