General Electric Company, doing business as GE Aerospace, designs and produces commercial and defense aircraft engines, integrated engine components, electric power, and mechanical aircraft systems. It also offers aftermarket services to support its products. The company operates in the United States, Europe, China, Asia, the Americas, the Middle East, and Africa. General Electric Company was incorporated in 1892 and is based in Evendale, Ohio.

GE Aerospace

The Pentagon has officially cleared a massive $8.6 billion contract for Boeing BA to provide the Israeli Air Force with advanced F-15IA fighter jets. While this multi-billion-dollar deal reinforces Boeing’s status as a critical defense titan, savvy investors might look past the individual stock.
In particular, investors who seek to capitalize on such high-stakes military expansions without being exposed to the volatility of Boeing-specific headwinds may consider defense exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which hold this jet giant alongside other prime contractors and thus offer a diversified gateway to the sector’s tailwinds.
A Detailed Snapshot of the Deal
The recently won contract by Boeing, managed through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, involves the production and delivery of 25 new F-15IA aircraft, with an option for 25 more. These "Eagle II" variants are tailored for Israel, featuring long-range strike capabilities and the ability to carry up to 14 tons of munitions.
The timing is highly strategic; the contract was finalized shortly after a high-profile meeting between President Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida. Geopolitically, the sale underscores the U.S. commitment to Israel's air superiority amid ongoing regional tensions with Iran and its proxies. With the project slated for completion by Dec. 31, 2035, Boeing’s St. Louis facility is secured with a decade-long production runway.
Financially, this contract should bolster the Boeing Defense, Space & Security (“BDS”) segment, which engages in the research, development, production, and modification of manned and unmanned military aircraft. Notably, the BDS unit registered a solid year-over-year revenue increase of nearly 25% in the last reported quarter and is expected to continue delivering such robust performance, supported by contract wins like the $8 billion deal mentioned above.
Defense ETFs Outshine Boeing Stock
While the $8.6 billion F-15IA contract is a massive win for Boeing’s backlog, it comes amid a persistent dilemma for investors. Notably, despite reporting a 25% revenue surge, the BDS unit’s operating profit margin remained razor-thin at just 1.7% during the third quarter of 2025. This follows a brutal 2024, where the segment lost nearly $5 billion due to cost overruns on older fixed-price contracts like the KC-46 tanker and Air Force One.
Amid this backdrop, some investors might still categorize Boeing as a high-risk bet.
In contrast, Defense ETFs offer a more strategic and "profitable" alternative. These funds will allow you to capture the upside of the recent F-15 contract win through exposure to Boeing while also balancing it with industry peers like RTX Corp. RTX or Lockheed Martin LMT who currently boast much healthier margins. It’s a way to bet on the "Trillion-Dollar Shield" of global defense spending without being weighed down by Boeing-specific hurdles.
Defense ETFs for Your Watchlist
Given the discussion above, the following defense ETFs may be worth adding to your watchlist if you’re looking to benefit from the global defense sector’s steady tailwinds, along with Boeing’s latest contract win.
State Street SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF XAR
This fund, with assets under management (AUM) worth $4.72 billion, provides exposure to 40 large, mid and small cap aerospace and defense stocks. Its top four holdings include prominent defense contractors Rocket Lab RKLB (4.07%), Karman Holdings KRMN (3.69%), ATI Inc. (ATI) (3.69%) and BA (3.66%).
XAR has surged 43% over the past year. The fund charges 35 basis points (bps) as fees.
iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF ITA
This fund, with assets worth $12.83 billion, offers exposure to 41 U.S. companies that manufacture commercial and military aircraft and other defense equipment. Its top four holdings include prominent defense contractors: GE Aerospace GE (21.50%), RTX (16.27%), Boeing (8.20%) and Howmet Aerospace HWM (4.56%).
ITA has soared 47.8% over the past year. The fund charges 38 bps as fees.
Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF PPA
This fund, with a market value worth $6.85 billion, offers exposure to 60 companies involved in the development, manufacturing, operations and support of U.S. defense, homeland security and aerospace operations. Its top four holdings include renowned defense contractors, BA (9.00%), RTX (8.88%), GE (8.81%) and LMT (7.71%).
PPA has surged 38.6% year to date. The fund charges 58 bps as fees.
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Boeing Wins $8B Israel F-15 Deal: Defense ETFs to Watch for Gains

Investors in GE Aerospace (Symbol: GE) saw new options become available today, for the February 2026 expiration. At Stock Options Channel, our YieldBoost formula has looked up and down the GE options chain for the new February 2026 contracts and identified one put and one call contract of particular interest.
The put contract at the $250.00 strike price has a current bid of 50 cents. If an investor was to sell-to-open that put contract, they are committing to purchase the stock at $250.00, but will also collect the premium, putting the cost basis of the shares at $249.50 (before broker commissions). To an investor already interested in purchasing shares of GE, that could represent an attractive alternative to paying $309.93/share today.
Because the $250.00 strike represents an approximate 19% discount to the current trading price of the stock (in other words it is out-of-the-money by that percentage), there is also the possibility that the put contract would expire worthless. The current analytical data (including greeks and implied greeks) suggest the current odds of that happening are 93%. Stock Options Channel will track those odds over time to see how they change, publishing a chart of those numbers on our website under the contract detail page for this contract. Should the contract expire worthless, the premium would represent a 0.20% return on the cash commitment, or 1.66% annualized — at Stock Options Channel we call this the YieldBoost.
Below is a chart showing the trailing twelve month trading history for GE Aerospace, and highlighting in green where the $250.00 strike is located relative to that history:
Turning to the calls side of the option chain, the call contract at the $320.00 strike price has a current bid of $9.50. If an investor was to purchase shares of GE stock at the current price level of $309.93/share, and then sell-to-open that call contract as a "covered call," they are committing to sell the stock at $320.00. Considering the call seller will also collect the premium, that would drive a total return (excluding dividends, if any) of 6.31% if the stock gets called away at the February 2026 expiration (before broker commissions). Of course, a lot of upside could potentially be left on the table if GE shares really soar, which is why looking at the trailing twelve month trading history for GE Aerospace, as well as studying the business fundamentals becomes important. Below is a chart showing GE's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $320.00 strike highlighted in red:
Considering the fact that the $320.00 strike represents an approximate 3% premium to the current trading price of the stock (in other words it is out-of-the-money by that percentage), there is also the possibility that the covered call contract would expire worthless, in which case the investor would keep both their shares of stock and the premium collected. The current analytical data (including greeks and implied greeks) suggest the current odds of that happening are 57%. On our website under the contract detail page for this contract, Stock Options Channel will track those odds over time to see how they change and publish a chart of those numbers (the trading history of the option contract will also be charted). Should the covered call contract expire worthless, the premium would represent a 3.07% boost of extra return to the investor, or 25.43% annualized, which we refer to as the YieldBoost.
The implied volatility in the put contract example is 40%, while the implied volatility in the call contract example is 34%.
Meanwhile, we calculate the actual trailing twelve month volatility (considering the last 250 trading day closing values as well as today's price of $309.93) to be 30%. For more put and call options contract ideas worth looking at, visit StockOptionsChannel.com.
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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.

Interesting GE Put And Call Options For February 2026

Defense stocks, particularly those with European exposure, fell sharply on Dec 15, 2025 (as reported by CNBC), after President Zelenskyy indicated that Ukraine is willing to forgo its long-term NATO membership bid in exchange for security guarantees.
This news, while sparking hopes of progress toward a peace framework, cooled near-term demand expectations for Europe’s arms makers, resulting in share price dips.
For investors, this pullback opens a classic buy-the-dip window in diversified defense exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that spread risk across U.S. and European names instead of relying on a handful of single stock bets. Diversified ETFs allow exposure to structurally rising defense budgets, NATO’s higher spending targets, and ongoing geopolitical flashpoints while cushioning idiosyncratic drawdowns in individual stocks.
Understanding the Recent Slide in European Defense Stocks
The recent sell-off in European defense giants, such as Rheinmetall RNMBY, Leonardo DRS, and Saab SAABY, is a textbook example of market sentiment reacting to geopolitical optics.
Defense stocks, particularly in Europe, are highly sensitive to any news suggesting a possible reduction in conflict intensity or military urgency. President Zelenskyy's pivot on NATO membership, framed within ongoing peace discussions, introduced a narrative of potential conflict resolution. This directly challenged the "war footing" demand environment that has buoyed the sector since 2022, leading to a swift sell-off in pure-play defense names like RNMBY and SAABY.
What Lies Ahead for Defense?
A prudent investor knows that despite the current wobble, the long-term investment thesis for global defense remains robust and is supported by structural, rather than transitory, factors.
In fact, even without a NATO bid, Ukraine is negotiating for "NATO-style" security guarantees, which will require European nations to serve as permanent military guarantors. This necessitates sustained, high-level spending on equipment and readiness that far outlasts the current conflict.
Meanwhile, the war in Ukraine has fundamentally and permanently reshaped European security policy, acting as a powerful catalyst for sustained budget increases. To this end, it is imperative to mention that the total military expenditure of NATO members in 2024 reached $1.45 billion, which reflects an increase of 9.6% from 2023 when adjusted for inflation and represents the biggest annual increase in defense spending since 2014. This surely underpins multi year revenue visibility for the entire defense sector.
One must also consider the fact that the Ukraine conflict is just one facet of a world where geopolitical tensions are intensifying globally with each passing day. Concurrent pressures in the Indo-Pacific and the Middle East are driving allied nations like Japan, South Korea, and Gulf states to similarly bolster their military capabilities.
This creates a diversified global demand base for leading defense contractors, such as Lockheed Martin LMT, RTX Corp. RTX, and Northrop Grumman NOC, which rely on multi-year government contracts, providing strong revenue visibility and order backlogs that insulate them from short-term market fluctuations. Thus, the defense sector's long-term growth remains anchored in a structural, global demand for national security, rather than the headlines of any single conflict.
Defense ETFs to Watch
Given the ongoing negotiations and discussions on NATO-style security guarantees for Kyiv, investors may want to keep the following defense ETFs on their watchlist and consider investing if appropriate.
State Street SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF XAR
This fund, with assets under management (AUM) worth $4.75 billion, provides exposure to 40 large, mid and small cap aerospace and defense stocks. Its top three holdings include prominent defense contractors Rocket Lab RKLB (4.03%), Karman Holdings KRMN (3.78%) and ATI Inc. ATI (3.66%).
XAR has surged 48.3% year to date. The fund charges 35 basis points (bps) as fees.
iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF ITA
This fund, with assets worth $12.96 billion, offers exposure to 41 U.S. companies that manufacture commercial and military aircraft and other defense equipment. Its top three holdings include prominent defense contractors GE Aerospace GE (21.65%), RTX (16.17%) and Boeing BA (8.04%).
ITA has surged 50.2% year to date. The fund charges 38 bps as fees.
Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF PPA
This fund, with market value worth $6.95 billion, offers exposure to 59 companies involved in the development, manufacturing, operations and support of U.S. defense, homeland security and aerospace operations. Its top three holdings include renowned defense contractors RTX (8.71%), BA (8.16%) and GE (7.85%).
PPA has surged 38.6% year to date. The fund charges 58 bps as fees.
Select STOXX Europe Aerospace & Defense ETF EUAD
This fund, with $1.04 billion in assets, provides exposure to 13 European companies focused on the manufacture, service, supply, and distribution of civil and military aerospace equipment, systems, and technology, as well as defense and protective services equipment and solutions. Its top three holdings include renowned defense contractors Airbus EADSY (19.05%), Rolls-Royce RYCEY (18.42%) and Safran SAFRY (18.25%).
EUAD has rallied 72.7% year to date. The fund charges 50 bps as fees.
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Ukraine Ditches NATO Membership Bid: A Defense ETF Buying Opportunity?

Looking today at week-over-week shares outstanding changes among the universe of ETFs covered at ETF Channel, one standout is the State Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF (Symbol: XLI) where we have detected an approximate $243.7 million dollar inflow -- that's a 0.9% increase week over week in outstanding units (from 163,476,000 to 165,026,000). Among the largest underlying components of XLI, in trading today GE Aerospace (Symbol: GE) is down about 0.9%, RTX Corp (Symbol: RTX) is off about 0.2%, and Boeing Co. (Symbol: BA) is lower by about 0.1%. For a complete list of holdings, visit the XLI Holdings page » The chart below shows the one year price performance of XLI, versus its 200 day moving average:
Looking at the chart above, XLI's low point in its 52 week range is $112.75 per share, with $158.46 as the 52 week high point — that compares with a last trade of $156.90. Comparing the most recent share price to the 200 day moving average can also be a useful technical analysis technique -- learn more about the 200 day moving average ».
Exchange traded funds (ETFs) trade just like stocks, but instead of ''shares'' investors are actually buying and selling ''units''. These ''units'' can be traded back and forth just like stocks, but can also be created or destroyed to accommodate investor demand. Each week we monitor the week-over-week change in shares outstanding data, to keep a lookout for those ETFs experiencing notable inflows (many new units created) or outflows (many old units destroyed). Creation of new units will mean the underlying holdings of the ETF need to be purchased, while destruction of units involves selling underlying holdings, so large flows can also impact the individual components held within ETFs.
Also see:
ETFs With Notable Outflows
Funds Holding RPLA
DOCT Videos
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Noteworthy ETF Inflows: XLI, GE, RTX, BA

Reshoring and the drive for supply-chain independence are transforming U.S. manufacturing, as more companies move production back to domestic locations. In recent years, several factors, including the post-pandemic supply-chain vulnerabilities, trade-disputes, geopolitical tensions along with President Trump’s recent tariff policies, have been fueling this business reshoring momentum.
With the imposition of import tariffs on steel, aluminum, semiconductors and other products, along with the presence of stringent sourcing rules, offshore production has become expensive for manufacturing companies. In response, companies have been moving production back to domestic locations to stabilize supply chains and evade tariffs. Also, the growing popularity of additive manufacturing and AI-driven business optimization across the US is lowering operational costs, making domestic production competitive.
Favorable U.S. government policies, including the CHIPS & Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), have also been encouraging steady investments in specific sectors like semiconductors, clean-energy and battery manufacturing.
This is fueling demand for advanced tools, factory equipment and transportation assets while lifting related industries such as machinery, logistics, power and energy. Reflecting this momentum, the S&P 500 Industrials Select Sector SPDR (XLI) has gained 19.3% so far this year.
Amid this development, we have discussed three stocks engaged in reshoring manufacturing operations, such as GE Aerospace GE, Caterpillar Inc. CAT and EnerSys ENS. These companies are actively engaged in reshoring their manufacturing activities and are expected to enter 2026 with strong growth potential.
These stocks are considered safer bets with market capitalization of more than $1 billion, as stocks with larger market capitalization can better withstand market downturns. Additionally, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings has also been revised upward, highlighting their likely strong performance next year.
3 Reshoring Stocks in Focus for 2026
Caterpillar has been actively pursuing its reshoring strategy since it shifted its construction equipment production facilities from Japan to Georgia and Texas. This has helped the company to streamline its supply chain, reduce transit times and boost delivery capacities in North America. As part of its capital expansion plan, Caterpillar recently announced its plan to invest $725 million in its engine manufacturing facility in Lafayette, IN. The investment will focus on enhancing the facility’s workforce skills and catering to the rising demand for power generation engines.
As technology companies establish data centers globally to support their generative AI applications, Caterpillar is witnessing robust order levels for reciprocating engines for data centers. Sales will improve in transportation, courtesy of an increase in rail services driven by international locomotives. Growth in Marine as customers update aging fleets and growth in industrial will also drive its performance.
In the past year, CAT’s shares have surged 60.6%, outperforming the industry’s 58.4% growth. In the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Caterpillar’s 2025 and 2026 earnings has increased 3.9% and 4.2%, respectively. Meanwhile, for 2026, this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock is expected to report earnings growth of 19% on 8.3% revenue growth. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
EnerSys announced its strategic restructuring plan to boost manufacturing productivity and focus more on its higher-performance battery technologies like Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL) and lithium-ion. The realignment plan involves ENS ceasing operations in its flooded lead-acid battery manufacturing plant based in Monterrey, Mexico. EnerSys will move the production to its manufacturing facility in Richmond, KY. The move will allow the company to mitigate risks related to any future potential tariffs, maximize IRC 45X tax benefits and make its cost structure optimal.
In the long run, EnerSys is positioned to benefit from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The company expects most of its TPPL products and some portion of high-density traditional flooded lead acid batteries to qualify for the proposed tax credits. EnerSys aims to invest the IRA tax credits to expand its high-density battery portfolio.
In the past year, ENS’ shares have risen 62.6% compared with the industry’s 2.6% growth. In the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for EnerSys’ fiscal 2026 (ending March 2026) and fiscal 2027 (ending March 2027) earnings has been revised up by 5.3% and 6.9%, respectively. For fiscal 2027, this Zacks Rank #2 stock is expected to report earnings growth of 20.7% on 3% revenue growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
GE Aerospace remains committed to making investments to boost growth. For 2025, the company remains on track to invest $1 billion in U.S. manufacturing and supply chain to boost production capabilities, upgrade equipment and cater to the growing demand for its engines and services. These investments are enabling GE Aerospace to boost its operational capacities, introduce new technologies to further reduce turnaround time and costs and provide better services to its commercial and defense customers.
This new investment accounts for almost double the commitment it made in the previous year and focuses on enhancing its engine quality, safety and delivery. This has also been creating about 5,000 U.S. jobs, including engineering and manufacturing roles. Some of its major facilities where GE is making investments include the likes of Greater Cincinnati, Muskegon, Durham, West Jefferson, Lynn and Madisonville.
In the past year, GE’s shares have soared 87.5%, outperforming the industry's 32.6% growth. In the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for GE Aerospace’s 2025 and 2026 earnings has improved 0.5% and 0.1%, respectively. For 2026, this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock is expected to report earnings growth of 13.1% on 11.9% revenue growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Zacks Naming Top 10 Stocks for 2026
Want to be tipped off early to our 10 top picks for the entirety of 2026? History suggests their performance could be sensational.
From 2012 (when our Director of Research Sheraz Mian assumed responsibility for the portfolio) through November, 2025, the Zacks Top 10 Stocks gained +2,530.8%, more than QUADRUPLING the S&P 500’s +570.3%.
Now Sheraz is combing through 4,400 companies to handpick the best 10 tickers to buy and hold in 2026. Don’t miss your chance to get in on these stocks when they’re released on January 5.
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3 Manufacturing Stocks to Benefit From Reshoring in 2026

Looking at the universe of stocks we cover at Dividend Channel, on 12/29/25, GE Aerospace (Symbol: GE) will trade ex-dividend, for its quarterly dividend of $0.36, payable on 1/26/26. As a percentage of GE's recent stock price of $316.75, this dividend works out to approximately 0.11%.
In general, dividends are not always predictable; but looking at the history above can help in judging whether the most recent dividend from GE is likely to continue, and whether the current estimated yield of 0.45% on annualized basis is a reasonable expectation of annual yield going forward. The chart below shows the one year performance of GE shares, versus its 200 day moving average:
Looking at the chart above, GE's low point in its 52 week range is $159.36 per share, with $317.7464 as the 52 week high point — that compares with a last trade of $316.70.
In Friday trading, GE Aerospace shares are currently up about 0.4% on the day.
Click here to learn which 25 S.A.F.E. dividend stocks should be on your radar screen »
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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.

Ex-Div Reminder for GE Aerospace (GE)

Tuesday, December 23, 2025
The Zacks Research Daily presents the best research output of our analyst team. Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including Mastercard Inc. (MA), GE Aerospace (GE) and Micron Technology, Inc. (MU), as well as a micro-cap stock Value Line, Inc. (VALU). The Zacks microcap research is unique as our research content on these small and under-the-radar companies is the only research of its type in the country.
These research reports have been hand-picked from the roughly 70 reports published by our analyst team today.
You can see all of today’s research reports here >>>
Ahead of Wall Street
The daily 'Ahead of Wall Street' article is a must-read for all investors who would like to be ready for that day's trading action. The article comes out before the market opens, attempting to make sense of that morning's economic releases and how they will affect that day's market action. You can read this article for free on our home page and can actually sign up there to get an email notification as this article comes out each morning.
You can read today's AWS here >>> Q3 GDP +4.3%: Consumer Carries Economic Heft
Today's Featured Research Reports
Mastercard’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Financial Transaction Services industry over the past year (+8.5% vs. -8.1%). The company’s acquisitions and collaborations are helping it to grow addressable markets and drive new revenue streams. Net revenues rose 16% YoY in the first nine months of 2025.
The accelerated adoption of digital and contactless solutions is providing an opportunity for its business to expedite its shift to the digital mode. Strong cash flow supports growth initiatives and enables shareholder value-boosting efforts via repurchases and dividends. It paid dividends of $2.1 billion in the first nine months of 2025.
However, its dividend yield is lower than the industry average. MA expects adjusted operating expenses to witness high-end of mid-teens YoY growth in 2025. Expenses are likely to rise due to accelerating investments. Rebates and incentives increased 15% YoY in the first nine months of 2025. As such, the stock warrants a cautious
(You can read the full research report on Mastercard here >>>)
Shares of GE Aerospace have outperformed the Zacks Aerospace - Defense industry over the past year (+85.2% vs. +32.8%). The company has been witnessing strength in its businesses, driven by robust demand for commercial engines, propulsion and additive technologies.
Rising U.S. & international defense budgets, geopolitical tensions, positive airline & airframer dynamics and robust demand for commercial air travel augur well for the company. Its portfolio-reshaping actions are likely to unlock values for its shareholders. The company raised its dividend by 28.6% to 36 cents per share in February 2025.
However, GE Aerospace has been dealing with high costs and expenses related to certain projects and restructuring activities, which are likely to affect its margins and profitability. Supply-chain disruptions may also result in delays and increased costs. Given GE Aerospace’s international presence, foreign exchange headwinds might be worrying for it.
(You can read the full research report on GE Aerospace here >>>)
Micron Technology’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Computer - Integrated Systems industry over the past year (+215.3% vs. +81%). The company is benefiting from the rapidly expanding artificial intelligence (AI)-driven memory and storage markets. The positive impacts of inventory improvement across multiple end markets are driving top-line growth.
The surging demand for HBM and robust DRAM pricing recovery will aid significant revenue and earnings growth in the coming quarters. Its solid financials, positive free cash flow and strong balance sheet provide the flexibility to invest in growth initiatives while enhancing shareholder value.
Micron Technology’s long-term customer agreements and expanding AI partnerships reduce volatility and enhance revenue visibility. Nonetheless, rising operating costs and a massive increase in capital expenditure pose a downside risk to Micron’s near-term profitability.
(You can read the full research report on Micron Technology here >>>)
Shares of Value Line have outperformed the Zacks Financial - Investment Management industry over the past six months (+5.8% vs. -1.8%). This microcap company with a market capitalization of $366.39 million offers a stable income profile, supported by strong cash flows and a debt-free balance sheet. In the six months ending October 2025, operating cash rose to $8.5 million, enabling $6.1 million in dividend payouts, with a 32.5 cents/share quarterly dividend.
With over $83 million in liquid assets and no long-term debt, the company maintains strong financial flexibility. A diversified income stream from EULAV Asset Management (contributing over 60% of pre-tax earnings) provides recurring, non-operational cash flows. A $2 million share buyback authorization signals disciplined capital allocation.
However, headwinds include declining core publishing revenues, reliance on EAM income without operational control, customer concentration risk (29% from one client), and weakening operating leverage. Unearned revenues are falling. Shares trade at a premium EV/sales of 8.27X.
(You can read the full research report on Value Line here >>>)
Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Constellation Energy Corp. (CEG), Suncor Energy Inc. (SU) and Valero Energy Corp. (VLO).
Mark Vickery
Senior Editor
Note: Sheraz Mian heads the Zacks Equity Research department and is a well-regarded expert of aggregate earnings. He is frequently quoted in the print and electronic media and publishes the weekly Earnings Trends and Earnings Preview reports. If you want an email notification each time Sheraz publishes a new article, please click here>>>
Today's Must Read
Featured Reports
Strong Nuclear Fleet, Investments Aid Constellation Energy (CEG)
Per the Zacks analyst Constellation Energy's (CEG) efficient and reliable nuclear fleet having a high capacity factor and strategic investment plans will continue to boost its performance.
Acquisitions Aid HEICO (HEI) Amid Supply Chain Issues
Per the Zacks analyst, HEICO Corp. is likely to benefit from its strategic acquisitions which should continue to complement organic growth. Yet supply chain issues result in delays and increase costs.
Insmed (INSM) Rides on FDA Nod for First Bronchiectasis Drug
The Zacks Analyst is encouraged by the recent FDA approval of Insmed's Brinsupri, the first treatment for non-CF bronchiectasis. This also marks the launch of the company's second marketed product.
Portfolio Diversification Aids Annaly (NLY) Amid Market Volatility
Per the Zacks analyst, Annaly's portfolio diversification efforts are likely to support return stability over time. Yet, market volatility and relatively high mortgage rates remains a concern.
Array (AD) Rides on Healthy Demand in Tower Rental Portfolio
Per the Zacks analyst, solid momentum in the tower rental portfolio is expected to drive Array's top line. Its focus on monetizing wireless spectrum licenses along with tower assets is a positive.
Signet (SIG) Benefits From Sustained Same-Store Sales Growth
Per the Zacks analyst, Signet's third straight quarter of same-store sales growth signals strengthening demand and effective merchandising across core banners, supporting sustained retail momentum.
Skill-Based Programs Aid Strategic Education (STRA), ANZ Weakness Ails
Per the Zacks analyst, robust employer-affiliated enrollment and higher revenue per student are driving Strategic Education's prospects. However, weakness in the ANZ segment is concerning.
New Upgrades
Ongoing Upgrades and Reduced Maintenance Downtime to Aid Suncor (SU)
The Zacks analyst believes that recent upgrades have extended maintenance cycles, cut downtime, and lowered costs across Suncor, boosting utilization, reliability, and margins.
Valero's (VLO) Extensive Refinery Network Aids Profitability
Per the Zacks analyst, Valero Energ's vast refining network enables it to tap into different markets, supporting diverse customer needs and its Gulf Coast refineries drive high export volumes.
Radian Group (RDN) is Set to Grow on New Insurance Written
Per the Zacks analyst, Radian is set to grow on new insurance written aided by strong mortgage origination market, higher refinance activity and higher private mortgage insurance penetration rates.
New Downgrades
High Competition and Nil Dividend Payout Ails Fiserv (FISV)
Per the Zacks Analyst, Fiserv tackles fierce competition, raising the difficulty in balancing growth and profitability. No plan to payout cash dividends remains concerning.
F5 (FFIV) Hurt By Security Breach and BIG-IP Source Code Theft
Per the Zacks analyst, F5 is dealing with investor pessimism due to tarnished brand image after security breach and theft of BIG-IP source code.
Bio-Techne (TECH) Faces Choppy Macro and Competitive Pressure
The Zacks analysts warn that weak biotech funding, cautious academia and cell therapy timing weigh on Bio-Techne's overall business. Rising competition pressures growth and pricing.
Zacks' Research Chief Names "Stock Most Likely to Double"
Our team of experts has just released the 5 stocks with the greatest probability of gaining +100% or more in the coming months. Of those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian highlights the one stock set to climb highest.
This top pick is a little-known satellite-based communications firm. Space is projected to become a trillion dollar industry, and this company's customer base is growing fast. Analysts have forecasted a major revenue breakout in 2025. Of course, all our elite picks aren't winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks' Stocks Set to Double like Hims & Hers Health, which shot up +209%.
Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up
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Value Line, Inc. (VALU): Free Stock Analysis Report
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Top Research Reports for Mastercard, GE Aerospace & Micron Technology

Ongoing global conflicts and escalating rivalries are compelling governments to continuously reinforce their military capabilities. Conflicts like the continuity of Russia-Ukraine war, ongoing instability in the Middle East, and rivalry among major powers are intensifying, and governments can no longer rely on aging military equipment or minimal inventories. Instead, they are systematically upgrading weapons, vehicles, aircraft, missile defense systems, and cyber capabilities, while also rebuilding depleted ammunition and improving troop readiness.
Defense priorities are shifting toward artificial intelligence-enabled platforms, cyber and space capabilities, intelligence and surveillance systems, and sophisticated missile defense. These modernization efforts aim to improve speed, precision, and resilience, driving investment in next-generation systems across multiple defense domains.
U.S. defense spending is at historically elevated levels, as President Trump has proposed a 13.4% increase, bringing the fiscal 2026 defense budget to $1.01 trillion. This scale of funding provides the Pentagon with greater flexibility to place new orders, expand existing programs and accelerate long-term procurement plans.
Companies like Archer Aviation ACHR, GE Aerospace GE and Howmet Aerospace HWM are positioned to benefit from the evolving defense market.
Defense Sector Positioned for Sustained, Long-Term Expansion
Defense-sector growth is being driven not only by higher government spending but also by the evolution of modern militaries. Governments are maintaining strong, multi-year defense budgets that provide funding stability, while simultaneously modernizing forces through upgrades to legacy equipment and investments in next-generation technologies. In addition, the expansion of commercial and dual-use fleets is creating new demand for defense contractors. Together, these trends support sustained, structural growth.
According to a report by Coherent Market Insights, the global aerospace and defense market is estimated to reach $1,470.43 billion by 2032, at a compound annual growth rate of 8.2% during 2025-2032.
3 Defense Stocks to Watch in 2026
The stocks, discussed below, carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) each and have solid growth potential in 2026. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Archer Aviation: Headquartered San Jose, CA, the company is involved in designing and developing electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft for use in urban air mobility. Archer Aviation is focusing on developing advanced, hybrid-electric electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft (eVTOLs) for military applications, partnering with defense firms, securing major contracts and making strategic acquisitions to build in-house defense manufacturing capabilities.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Archer Aviation’s 2026 earnings implies a year-over-year increase of 12.6%. The stock has gained 13% over the past month.
GE Aerospace: Based in Evendale, OH, the company is a leading designer, developer and producer of jet engines, components and integrated systems for military, commercial and business aircraft. Growing popularity for the company’s propulsion & additive technologies, critical aircraft systems and aftermarket services in the defense sector is driving the Defense & Propulsion Technologies business’ performance. During the first nine months of the year, the company secured a $5 billion contract from the U.S. Air Force to supply F110 engines, parts and support services as part of a Foreign Military Sales program.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for GE Aerospace’s 2026 revenues and earnings implies a year-over-year increase of 11.7% and 13%, respectively. The stock has gained 7.1% over the past month.
Howmet Aerospace: Headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, the company provides engineered solutions for customers in the transportation and aerospace (both defense and commercial) industries. Notably, it offers forged wheels for commercial use in the transportation industry. It also provides aerospace fastening systems, components used in jet engines and structural parts made of titanium used in defense and aerospace applications.
In December 2025, Howmet Aerospace announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Consolidated Aerospace Manufacturing, LLC, a leading global designer and manufacturer of precision fasteners, fluid fittings, and other complex, highly engineered products for demanding aerospace and defense applications, from Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. The transaction is expected to be closed in the first half of 2026. This deal will allow HWM to better serve aerospace and defense customers with a broader offering of mission-critical fastening solutions.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Howmet Aerospace’s 2026 revenues and earnings implies a year-over-year increase of 11.4% and 19.7%, respectively. The stock has gained 4% over the past month.
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Zacks Naming Top 10 Stocks for 2026
Want to be tipped off early to our 10 top picks for the entirety of 2026? History suggests their performance could be sensational.
From 2012 (when our Director of Research Sheraz Mian assumed responsibility for the portfolio) through November, 2025, the Zacks Top 10 Stocks gained +2,530.8%, more than QUADRUPLING the S&P 500’s +570.3%.
Now Sheraz is combing through 4,400 companies to handpick the best 10 tickers to buy and hold in 2026. Don’t miss your chance to get in on these stocks when they’re released on January 5.
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Rising Geopolitical Tensions - 3 Defense Stocks to Watch in 2026

Investors might want to bet on GE Aerospace (GE), as it has been recently upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). An upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices -- has triggered this rating change.
A company's changing earnings picture is at the core of the Zacks rating. The system tracks the Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus measure of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years.
Individual investors often find it hard to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts, since these are mostly driven by subjective factors that are hard to see and measure in real time. In these situations, the Zacks rating system comes in handy because of the power of a changing earnings picture in determining near-term stock price movements.
Therefore, the Zacks rating upgrade for GE basically reflects positivity about its earnings outlook that could translate into buying pressure and an increase in its stock price.
Most Powerful Force Impacting Stock Prices
The change in a company's future earnings potential, as reflected in earnings estimate revisions, has proven to be strongly correlated with the near-term price movement of its stock. That's partly because of the influence of institutional investors that use earnings and earnings estimates for calculating the fair value of a company's shares. An increase or decrease in earnings estimates in their valuation models simply results in higher or lower fair value for a stock, and institutional investors typically buy or sell it. Their bulk investment action then leads to price movement for the stock.
For GE, rising earnings estimates and the consequent rating upgrade fundamentally mean an improvement in the company's underlying business. And investors' appreciation of this improving business trend should push the stock higher.
Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions
Empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, so it could be truly rewarding if such revisions are tracked for making an investment decision. Here is where the tried-and-tested Zacks Rank stock-rating system plays an important role, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions.
The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
Earnings Estimate Revisions for GE
For the fiscal year ending December 2025, this industrial conglomerate is expected to earn $6.20 per share, which is unchanged compared with the year-ago reported number.
Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for GE. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 5.7%.
Bottom Line
Unlike the overly optimistic Wall Street analysts whose rating systems tend to be weighted toward favorable recommendations, the Zacks rating system maintains an equal proportion of "buy" and "sell" ratings for its entire universe of more than 4,000 stocks at any point in time. Irrespective of market conditions, only the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks get a "Strong Buy" rating and the next 15% get a "Buy" rating. So, the placement of a stock in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks indicates its superior earnings estimate revision feature, making it a solid candidate for producing market-beating returns in the near term.
The upgrade of GE to a Zacks Rank #2 positions it in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks in terms of estimate revisions, implying that the stock might move higher in the near term.
5 Stocks Set to Double
Each was handpicked by a Zacks expert as the favorite stock to gain +100% or more in the months ahead. They include
Stock #1: A Disruptive Force with Notable Growth and Resilience
Stock #2: Bullish Signs Signaling to Buy the Dip
Stock #3: One of the Most Compelling Investments in the Market
Stock #4: Leader In a Red-Hot Industry Poised for Growth
Stock #5: Modern Omni-Channel Platform Coiled to Spring
Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor. While not all picks can be winners, previous recommendations have soared +171%, +209% and +232%.
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All You Need to Know About GE (GE) Rating Upgrade to Buy

GE Aerospace (GE) closed at $292.18 in the latest trading session, marking a -2.19% move from the prior day. This change lagged the S&P 500's 1.16% loss on the day. On the other hand, the Dow registered a loss of 0.47%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq decreased by 1.81%.
Shares of the industrial conglomerate have appreciated by 0.92% over the course of the past month, underperforming the Aerospace sector's gain of 1.04%, and the S&P 500's gain of 1.03%.
The investment community will be paying close attention to the earnings performance of GE Aerospace in its upcoming release. The company is forecasted to report an EPS of $1.4, showcasing a 6.06% upward movement from the corresponding quarter of the prior year. Our most recent consensus estimate is calling for quarterly revenue of $11.18 billion, up 13.13% from the year-ago period.
For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates project earnings of $6.2 per share and a revenue of $41.63 billion, demonstrating changes of +34.78% and -1.46%, respectively, from the preceding year.
Investors might also notice recent changes to analyst estimates for GE Aerospace. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. With this in mind, we can consider positive estimate revisions a sign of optimism about the business outlook.
Our research reveals that these estimate alterations are directly linked with the stock price performance in the near future. To benefit from this, we have developed the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model which takes these estimate changes into account and provides an actionable rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, spanning from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), boasts an impressive track record of outperformance, audited externally, with #1 ranked stocks yielding an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate remained stagnant. At present, GE Aerospace boasts a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).
With respect to valuation, GE Aerospace is currently being traded at a Forward P/E ratio of 48.17. This denotes a premium relative to the industry average Forward P/E of 26.55.
One should further note that GE currently holds a PEG ratio of 2.31. Comparable to the widely accepted P/E ratio, the PEG ratio also accounts for the company's projected earnings growth. As the market closed yesterday, the Aerospace - Defense industry was having an average PEG ratio of 2.06.
The Aerospace - Defense industry is part of the Aerospace sector. With its current Zacks Industry Rank of 100, this industry ranks in the top 41% of all industries, numbering over 250.
The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the vigor of our specific industry groups by computing the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks incorporated in the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
To follow GE in the coming trading sessions, be sure to utilize Zacks.com.
5 Stocks Set to Double
Each was handpicked by a Zacks expert as the #1 favorite stock to gain +100% or more in the coming year. While not all picks can be winners, previous recommendations have soared +112%, +171%, +209% and +232%.
Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor.
Today, See These 5 Potential Home Runs >>
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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.