Lockheed Martin Corporation, a security and aerospace company, engages in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of technology systems, products, and services worldwide. The company operates through Aeronautics, Missiles and Fire Control, Rotary and Mission Systems, and Space segments. The Aeronautics segment offers combat and air mobility aircraft, unmanned air vehicles, and related technologies. The Missiles and Fire Control segment provides air and missile defense systems; tactical missiles and air-to-ground precision strike weapon systems; logistics; fire control systems; mission operations support, readiness, engineering support, and integration services; manned and unmanned ground vehicles; and energy management solutions. The Rotary and Mission Systems segment offers military and commercial helicopters, surface ships, sea and land-based missile defense systems, radar systems, sea and air-based mission and combat systems, command and control mission solutions, cyber solutions, and simulation and training solutions. The Space segment offers satellites; space transportation systems; strategic, advanced strike, and defensive systems; and classified systems and services in support of national security systems. This segment also provides network-enabled situational awareness and integrates space and ground global systems to help its customers gather, analyze, and securely distribute critical intelligence data. It serves primarily serves the U.S. government, as well as foreign military sales contracted through the U.S. government. The company was founded in 1912 and is based in Bethesda, Maryland.

Lockheed Martin Corporation

Key Points
The U.S. DSCA notified Congress of $22.5 billion in pending weapons sales last month.
Lockheed Martin and Boeing were the month's biggest winners.
2026 started with a bang! for defense investors. The month of January saw the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency -- or DSCA, the Pentagon's personal international arms dealer -- submit no fewer than 11 separate arms deals to Congress for approval, totaling $22.5 billion in combined value.
Denmark is buying Hellfire missiles from Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT). Israel is ordering helicopters from Leonardo USA. Spain requires assistance from multiple U.S. defense companies to upgrade its fleet of F-100 frigates -- and these are among the smaller arms deals in the works.
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Among the larger awards handed out...
$9 billion for Lockheed in Saudi Arabia
Arguably, the biggest beneficiary of the flurry of early 2026 arms deals is defense giant Lockheed Martin, the world's largest pure-play defense contractor. On Jan. 30, DSCA notified Congress of a planned sale of 730 PATRIOT Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE) missiles and related equipment to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
In total, the contract should be worth $9 billion. While RTX Corporation is closely involved in PATRIOT, building the radar systems that enable it to shoot down hostile aircraft and missiles, Lockheed was named the sole principal contractor on this contract.
$2.3 billion for Boeing in Singapore
Ten days before that award, Boeing (NYSE: BA) notched a win when DSCA told Congress that the nation of Singapore wants to buy four P-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft and arm them with eight MK 54 Lightweight Torpedoes.
The aircraft presumably make up the majority of the $2.3 billion value of this contract, meaning Boeing should win the bulk of that money. RTX makes the MK 54, but in this particular case, DSCA says it will supply Singapore with torpedoes from Pentagon stockpiles -- meaning no extra revenue for RTX on this contract, either.
$3.8 billion for Boeing and Lockheed in Israel
The other really big contract last month went to Boeing and Lockheed, both of which are named principal contractors. For $3.8 billion, Israel will be ordering up 30 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters -- plus "related equipment." Boeing builds the birds themselves, while Lockheed and its partner Northrop Grumman provide the Longbow Fire Control Radars that help the Apaches shoot straight (and are also part of Israel's order).
Boeing and Lockheed won't keep all the loot. In addition to Northrop taking a cut, DSCA notes that Israel needs 70 T700-GE 701D engines to fly the Apaches, and Boeing will have to buy those from its engine supplier, GE Aerospace.
What does this mean for investors?
As I read these contracts, it appears Lockheed Martin is the defense company benefiting most from January's defense contracts. Although I expect Boeing will take most of the money from the Apache sale and essentially all the cash from selling Poseidons to Singapore, Boeing's defense division remains unprofitable.
Lockheed's Missiles and Fire Control (MFC) division, in contrast, which will build both Saudi Arabia's Patriot missiles and the Longbow fire controls for Israel's new helicopters, is in fact the company's most profitable division. According to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence, Lockheed MFC earned 13% margins on its revenue in 2025.
Advantage: Lockheed Martin stock.
Should you buy stock in Lockheed Martin right now?
Before you buy stock in Lockheed Martin, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Lockheed Martin wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $409,108!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,145,980!*
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Rich Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Boeing, GE Aerospace, and RTX. The Motley Fool recommends Lockheed Martin. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

U.S. International Arms Deals Surge to $22.5 Billion in January

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently projected global GDP growth of approximately 3.3% for 2026, reflecting steady expansion supported in part by continued corporate investment in digital infrastructure and advanced technologies. Labor market data further supports this resilience. In the United States, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently reported that total nonfarm payrolls increased by 130,000 in January 2026, while the unemployment rate remained at 4.3%. The labor force participation rate was 62.5%, signaling a broadly stable employment environment.
Within this macro backdrop, hiring momentum remains firm across aerospace and defense, technology and digital services, with electronics among the faster-growing segments.
As per Deloitte’s recent industry projection report, the global semiconductor industry is expected to reach $975 billion in annual sales in 2026, a historic peak fueled by an intensifying AI infrastructure boom.
Taken together, steady global growth, resilient labor markets and sustained technology investment create a constructive setting for equity markets. In this environment, AI-linked infrastructure and healthcare innovation stand out as two sectors offering clear earnings visibility and structural support heading into mid-2026.
Below are the two sectors that we expect to outperform the broader market this year, supported by strong demand drivers and favorable earnings momentum.
Technology - AI Infrastructure & Semiconductors
AI-driven capital expenditure remains a core earnings catalyst in 2026. Hyperscalers, including Microsoft, Amazon and Alphabet, continue allocating substantial budgets toward AI data centers and cloud infrastructure.
The Semiconductor Industry Association projects global semiconductor sales to approach $1 trillion in 2026, implying 26% industry growth, driven primarily by advanced logic and high-bandwidth memory tied to generative AI workloads. This underpins earnings visibility for GPU and accelerator suppliers such as NVIDIA NVDA and foundry leaders like Taiwan Semiconductor TSM. Equipment vendors, including ASML ASML and Applied Materials AMAT, also benefit from leading-edge node expansion. While TSM currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), NVDA, ASML and AMAT carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) each.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Mean Estimate of Long-Term EPS Growth Rate
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Industrials – Aerospace, Defense & Electrification
The industrial sector is supported by sustained defense spending, commercial aerospace backlog strength and accelerating electrification investment. U.S. national defense spending has remained above $800 billion annually in recent fiscal years, providing multi-year revenue visibility for prime contractors. This supports substantial funded backlogs at companies such as Lockheed Martin LMT, which exited 2025 with a record $194 billion backlog and RTX, which reported a $268 billion backlog, signaling extended revenue streams. LMT currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Beyond aerospace and defense, electrification and grid modernization remain powerful structural drivers. Companies such as Eaton and Siemens continue to highlight data center power demand, transmission upgrades and energy transition investments as key growth catalysts. Collectively, these factors provide tangible backlog visibility and earnings support heading into mid-2026.
Mean Estimate of Long-Term EPS Growth Rate
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
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Tech Boom & Defense Backlogs: 2 Sectors Poised to Outperform in 2026

Key Points
Global military spending is on the rise and expected to keep growing through the end of the decade at least.
Rheinmetall is well-positioned to profit from German and broader European rearmament and it is already seeing growth from Germany's ballooning military budget.
The company saw 19% sales growth in the first nine months of 2025 and incredible 42% EPS growth over the same period.
According to the United Nations, collective global military spending grew to $2.7 trillion in 2024, and some estimates have that figure nearing $3 trillion by the end of the decade.
American military spending alone is far and away the largest in the world at just shy of $1 trillion for the 2026 budget. However, further growth is on the table as President Trump has expressed a desire to hit $1.5 trillion in defense spending in 2027.
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So, it follows that defense contractors like Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) would be a good way to play the global defense spending boom.
Lockheed Martin is a good investment and is definitely one to look at, but I don't think it's slated to be the fastest-growing defense company. In all likelihood it will continue the steady market-beating 16.2% annualized growth it has enjoyed for the past five years.
That's because the fastest-growing military budget on the planet doesn't belong to the United States, it belongs to Germany.
For 2024, the German government approved $88.5 billion in military spending for 2025, which represented a 28% increase over 2023 and was up 89% from where Germany's defense budget sat in 2015. That boost alone catapulted Germany to being the fourth-largest defense spender behind only the U.S., China, and Russia.
But Germany's defense spending boom isn't done yet. In November 2025, the Bundestag approved a $129 billion military budget for 2026, a 45% increase over 2025 levels. Germany is aiming to build Europe's largest military with a goal of $180 billion in defense spending come 2030.
The company I expect to profit most from that is Dusseldorf's Rheinmetall (OTC: RNMBY).
The sleeping giant awakens
Founded in 1889 as an artillery manufacturer, Rheinmetall has grown into one of Germany's and Europe's premier defense companies. It engages in almost every facet of modern military equipment, including vehicles, artillery, ammunition, air defense systems, drones, satellites, and even naval vessels.
It also stands to profit from other European militaries rearming alongside Germany as Rheinmetall's lines of infantry-fighting vehicles (IFV), light armored vehicles, and logistics trucks are used by the militaries of Italy, Ukraine, Romania, the U.K., Spain, Hungary, Finland, and the Netherlands.
In fact, the Lynx IFV in particular won a contract for the U.S. military in 2023 to replace the aging Bradley IFV. Rheinmetall projects that becoming a major supplier in the American market could generate $2 billion in annual revenue.
In Rheinmetall's latest results (Q3 2025) it anticipated sales to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30% from 2023 to 2025. Over that same period, it anticipates its backlog will grow at a CAGR of 45% and its operating margin to grow 2.7 basis points to 15.5%.
And that's on top of the growth it has already enjoyed in the initial stages of German rearmament.
Europe's arsenal
For Q3 2025, Rheinmetall brought in revenue of 2.78 billion euros, a 13% increase over Q3 2024. It also grew its operating margin 0.7 points to 12.9% and saw its backlog grow 23% to 63.8 billion euros.
Sales for the first nine months of 2025 topped 7.5 billion euros, a 19% increase over the first nine months of 2024. However, Rheinmetall's diluted earnings per share (EPS) saw ballistic growth from 5.70 euros for the first nine months of 2024 to 8.09 for the first nine months of 2025, representing growth of nearly 42% year over year.
Now, the company has been spending money rather aggressively. That saw its operating free cash flow tank in Q3 2025. But most of that was due to expanding inventory for contracts to be filled, relatively low prepayments, and a later start of truck deliveries than anticipated.
It appears to be temporary as those vehicles were produced on order for various militaries. Rheinmetall does maintain a positive cash position of 557 billion euros as of Sept. 30, 2025. So, that isn't something I would worry too much about. Besides, this is a capital-intensive business as Rheinmetall needs to operate factories from which it produces all the artillery, vehicles, and ammunition it's selling.
Additionally, it's worth noting that as a major supplier to the Ukrainian military, Rheinmetall equipment is uniquely battle-tested on a modern battlefield. And Rheinmetall's next-generation tank, the Panther KF51, is equipped with anti-drone capabilities not seen on any other tank like an autonomous machine gun and loitering munitions.
The Leopard 2, also produced by Rheinmetall, is already one of the most popular tanks in the world. But with the company's unique insight into the demands of the 21st century battlefield and what it takes to make a tank survivable on it, I can easily foresee the Panther matching or exceeding the Leopard 2's popularity.
So, if you want to invest in the most rapid European rearmament we've seen since the end of the Cold War, give Rheinmetall a look.
Should you buy stock in Rheinmetall Ag right now?
Before you buy stock in Rheinmetall Ag, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Rheinmetall Ag wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $443,353!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,155,789!*
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*Stock Advisor returns as of February 11, 2026.
James Hires has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Better Defense Stock: Lockheed Martin vs. Rheinmetall

Key Points
The iShares Select Dividend ETF and the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF have been hot buys to start 2026.
A few high-flying stocks have been giving these ETFs a boost.
These funds hold around 100 stocks can can provide investors with some excellent dividend income.
In previous years, investors have been focused on growth stocks and high-powered tech companies. But in 2026, there appears to have been a clear change in strategy for investors. Rather than continuing to chase high-valued stocks, investors have been focusing more on dividend stocks.
Since the start of the year, the S&P 500 has risen by less than 2%, and the Roundhill Magnificent Seven ETF, which includes the top tech stocks in the "Magnificent Seven," is down more than 3%. What's surprising is that it's been dividend stocks that have been the better buys of late.
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The iShares Select Dividend ETF (NASDAQ: DVY) and the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (NYSEMKT: SCHD) are both beating the market, and it's not even close. Here's how well they've been doing thus far and why they can be great options for income investors today.
iShares Select Dividend ETF: up 10%
This iShares exchange-traded fund (ETF) focuses on U.S. companies that have been paying dividends for at least five years, with the focus being to give investors access to reliable income investments.
There are around 100 stocks in the ETF, and one of the big reasons it's been doing well is that its top holding is Seagate Technology, which accounts for just under 4% of the fund's portfolio. The data storage stock has benefited from rising demand for its products as a result of an increase in tech spending. Year to date, Seagate's stock is up more than 50%, which has given the iShares Select Dividend ETF a boost along the way.
There are other quality dividend stocks in the ETF; they simply may not be as flashy or exciting as Seagate right now. Pfizer and Verizon Communications are top stocks in the fund as well, and can be quality investments to hold for the long term.
Overall, this can be a solid income-generating ETF to hang on to, with the iShares fund yielding around 3.4%, which is more than three times the S&P 500 average of 1.1%. The ETF's expense ratio of 0.38% also isn't terribly high.
Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF: up 13%
The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF has been an even hotter investment to own this year, and it too has benefited from a couple of high-flying stocks being among its largest holdings. Lockheed Martin and Texas Instruments each make up more than 4% of the ETF's holdings, and both of these stocks are up more than 25% for the year, as of Monday's close.
At 3.5%, the Schwab fund offers investors an excellent yield, and its expense ratio is just 0.06%, making it an ideal low-cost option. Like the iShares fund, it also has around 100 holdings in its portfolio, providing investors with some great diversification.
The fund's focus on quality dividend stocks with sustainable payouts makes this a suitable investment to hang on to for the long haul.
Should you buy stock in Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF right now?
Before you buy stock in Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $439,362!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,164,984!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 918% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 196% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of February 10, 2026.
David Jagielski, CPA has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Pfizer and Texas Instruments. The Motley Fool recommends Lockheed Martin and Verizon Communications. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Is 2026 the Year of Dividend Stocks? These 2 Income-Focused ETFs Have Been Soaring Past the S&P 500

Key Points
Lockheed Martin develops satellites and spacecraft like NASA's Orion crew capsule.
Honeywell supplies essential components for space exploration and plans a spin-off this year.
Both are well-established companies providing exposure to the growing space sector.
When you think of the space economy, you may think of SpaceX or publicly traded companies like Rocket Lab or AST Space Mobile. These stocks are up-and-coming companies with upside potential, but they are also not currently profitable and are still in relatively early stages of establishing their business.
If you ever want to play the growing space economy and are looking for more established companies, Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and Honeywell (NASDAQ: HON) are worth considering. Here's why these two stocks are a buy in February.
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Lockheed Martin will help humans return to the Moon
When you think of Lockheed Martin, you probably think of it primarily as a defense contractor, but it also plays a key role in the growing space economy. The company helps build space infrastructure and is one of the world's leading satellite manufacturers. Its spacecraft allow GPS navigation, missile warnings, weather forecasting, earth observation, and secure communication channels.
The company develops a satellite for the Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared system, which provides missile warning capabilities. In December, the Space Development Agency (SDA) awarded Lockheed a contract worth up to $1 billion to produce 18 satellites for the Tranche 3 Tracking Layer constellation, which provides missile tracking capabilities through a layered network of missile defense and military communications satellites in low Earth orbit.
The company also develops spacecraft that go beyond Earth. For example, it is a prime contractor for NASA's Orion crew capsule. Orion is NASA's next-generation exploration-class crewed vehicle designed for exploration to the Moon and throughout the solar system. Last year, Lockheed's space segment generated $13 billion in sales, while its backlog grew to nearly $40 billion.
Honeywell plans to spin off its aerospace business later this year
Honeywell is an industrial conglomerate that plays a role in space exploration and provides inertial navigation systems, sensors, and avionics used in satellites and launch vehicles. These components help spacecraft orient themselves and maneuver in outer space. It also provides power electronics and thermal management technology for crewed spacecraft and long-duration missions.
While Honeywell isn't a prime contractor with NASA, it does provide key components to prime contractors that enable spacecraft exploration. In the fourth quarter, the company's defense and space sales rose 10% due to "elevated global demand."
For investors looking to get in now, Honeywell will spin off Honeywell Aerospace into an independent, publicly traded company in the third quarter of this year. The company will be led by Jim Currier, a longtime veteran who has worked at Honeywell Aerospace for two decades. As a pure-play aviation and space entity, Honeywell Aerospace aims to simplify its operating structure, which could position it better to bid and win future government contracts.
Should you buy stock in Lockheed Martin right now?
Before you buy stock in Lockheed Martin, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Lockheed Martin wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $439,362!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,164,984!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 918% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 196% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of February 10, 2026.
Courtney Carlsen has positions in Rocket Lab. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Honeywell International and Rocket Lab. The Motley Fool recommends Lockheed Martin. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

2 Space Stocks to Buy in February

Key Points
Lockheed Martin is a trusted defense and aerospace manufacturer that experienced "unprecedented demand" this past year.
Texas Instruments has a broad semiconductor business that is seeing strong growth from data centers.
Both of these stocks pay more than 2% in dividends.
The S&P 500 is off to a fairly underwhelming start. As of Monday's close, it was up less than 2% since January. Many growth stocks have been struggling, while dividend stocks are suddenly becoming hot buys.
Two dividend stocks that are off to hot starts since the beginning of the year are Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and Texas Instruments (NASDAQ: TXN). They have soared past the broad index, and here's why it might not be too late to invest in them.
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Lockheed Martin
Entering trading on Tuesday, Lockheed Martin's stock was up 32% year to date. It's a fantastic performance after an unexciting year in 2025, when its share price was flat.
The company posted some strong earnings numbers at the end of January, reporting that its backlog was a record $194 billion. Its numbers came in better than its own expectations, and the business said it experienced "unprecedented demand" in the previous year. With strong government relationships and more growth expected for 2026, it's little wonder the defense stock has been a good buy early on.
Its yield of 2.2% is also about twice what you'd get with the average S&P 500 stock right now. And at 21 times its expected future earnings (based on analyst projections), it's not an expensive stock to own, either. For long-term investors, Lockheed Martin can be a great stock to buy and hold.
Texas Instruments
Another stock that's been red hot to start 2026 is semiconductor company Texas Instruments. It's up just over 26% and it also recently released its earnings numbers. For the last three months of 2025, its revenue of $4.4 billion rose by 10% year over year, as demand from data centers has been strong and driving a lot of growth for the business.
Its diversified semiconductor business features more than 80,000 parts that help companies in various industries, making it an attractive option for growth-oriented investors. Its forward price-to-earnings multiple of 33 is a bit high, but with some encouraging long-term growth prospects and its data center segment potentially being a catalyst for the foreseeable future, the stock can still be a suitable option for investors who are looking to buy and hold for years.
Texas Instruments pays an above-average dividend that yields 2.6%, and it has been increasing its payout for 22 consecutive years. This is not only a promising growth investment, but also a terrific dividend stock to hang on to for the long haul.
Should you buy stock in Lockheed Martin right now?
Before you buy stock in Lockheed Martin, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Lockheed Martin wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $443,299!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,136,601!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 914% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 195% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of February 10, 2026.
David Jagielski, CPA has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Texas Instruments. The Motley Fool recommends Lockheed Martin. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

2 Dividend Stocks That Are Off of Hot Starts to 2026

(1:00) - European Defense Industry: How Are NATO Alliances Funded?
(10:10) - Middle East Dynamic: What Should Investors Expect?
(13:45) - Navigating The Current Defense Industry: Where Should You Look To Invest?
(21:20) - Gabelli Commercial Aerospace and Defense ETF: GCAD
(25:00) - Episode Roundup: GCAD, ITA, XAR, EUAD, SHLD
In this episode of ETF Spotlight, I speak with Tony Bancroft, portfolio manager of the Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF GCAD, about the outlook for the aerospace and defense industry in 2026.
The sector had already delivered strong performance last year, driven by rising defense spending amid escalating geopolitical tensions. European defense stocks, in particular, surged as governments ramped up military budgets, partly in response to pressure from President Trump on NATO members to increase their own defense spending.
More broadly, European countries boosted their defense industries primarily in response to Russia’s war in Ukraine. We saw a brief pullback late last year amid signs of potential progress toward ending the conflict.
President Trump has suggested the war could be resolved in the near future, but so far there has been little tangible progress, despite months of diplomatic efforts by his administration.
Defense stocks surged earlier this year following Venezuela-related news, then climbed again after President Trump called for a $1.5 trillion defense budget in 2027, more than 50% above the $901 billion approved for 2026.
Unfortunately, the world is becoming a more dangerous place, with the Russia-Ukraine war, rising tensions between China and Taiwan, India and Pakistan, and continued conflicts across the Middle East. This backdrop continues to support the sector.
Boeing BA, Lockheed Martin LMT, and Northrop Grumman NOC are among the top holdings in the Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF GCAD.
Other popular products in the space include the iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF ITA, the SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF XAR, the Global X Defense Tech ETF SHLD, and the Select STOXX Europe Aerospace & Defense ETF EUAD.
Tune in to the podcast to learn more.
Be sure to look out for the next edition of ETF Spotlight, and remember to subscribe!
If you have any comments or questions, please email podcast@zacks.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.

Can the Aerospace and Defense Rally Continue in 2026?

The board of directors of Ameren today declared a quarterly cash dividend on its common stock of 75 cents per share, a 5.6 percent increase from the prior quarterly cash dividend of 71 cents per share, resulting in an annualized equivalent dividend rate of $3.00 per share. The previous annualized equivalent dividend rate was $2.84 per share. "This marks the thirteenth consecutive year the Ameren Board of Directors has increased our dividend," said Martin J. Lyons, Jr., chairman, president and chief executive officer of Ameren Corporation. "This increase reflects the board's commitment to and confidence in delivering strong, predictable returns and long-term value for shareholders." The common share dividend is payable March 31, 2026, to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 10, 2026.
The Board of Directors of GE Aerospace today declared a $0.47 per share dividend on the outstanding common stock of the Company. The dividend is payable April 27, 2026, to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 9, 2026. The ex-dividend date is March 9, 2026.
RTX announced today that its board of directors declared a dividend of 68 cents per outstanding share of RTX common stock. The dividend will be payable on March 19, 2026 to shareowners of record at the close of business on Feb. 20, 2026. RTX has paid cash dividends on its common stock every year since 1936.
The Lockheed Martin board of directors has authorized a first quarter 2026 dividend of $3.45 per share. The dividend is payable on March 27, 2026, to holders of record as of the close of business on March 2, 2026. As stated in our most recent earnings release, Lockheed Martin is significantly increasing our investments while maintaining our historical practice of using a disciplined and dynamic approach to capital allocation.
The Board of Directors of Ryder System declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.91 per share of common stock to be paid on March 20, 2026 to shareholders of record on February 17, 2026. This is Ryder's 198th consecutive quarterly cash dividend - marking more than 49 years of uninterrupted dividend payments.
VIDEO: Daily Dividend Report: AEE,GE,RTX,LMT,R
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Daily Dividend Report: AEE,GE,RTX,LMT,R

Looking today at week-over-week shares outstanding changes among the universe of ETFs covered at ETF Channel, one standout is the Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (Symbol: SCHD) where we have detected an approximate $549.0 million dollar inflow -- that's a 0.7% increase week over week in outstanding units (from 2,627,450,000 to 2,644,900,000). Among the largest underlying components of SCHD, in trading today Lockheed Martin Corp (Symbol: LMT) is up about 0.9%, Verizon Communications Inc (Symbol: VZ) is up about 0.4%, and Bristol Myers Squibb Co. (Symbol: BMY) is lower by about 1.1%. For a complete list of holdings, visit the SCHD Holdings page » The chart below shows the one year price performance of SCHD, versus its 200 day moving average:
Looking at the chart above, SCHD's low point in its 52 week range is $23.87 per share, with $31.49 as the 52 week high point — that compares with a last trade of $31.33. 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 ».
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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:
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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.

Noteworthy ETF Inflows: SCHD, LMT, VZ, BMY

Archer Aviation Inc. ACHR shares have lost 23.5% in the past six months, underperforming the Zacks Aerospace-Defense industry’s growth of 10.4% as well as the broader Zacks Aerospace sector’s gain of 10.5%. It has also lagged the S&P 500’s gain of 10.5% in the same time frame.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
However, a stellar performance can be seen in the share price return of other industry players like Lockheed Martin LMT and L3Harris Technologies LHX, which have witnessed a surge of 46.3% and 29.3%, respectively, in the past six months.
With ACHR shares declining over the past six months, investors may have mixed views. Some may remain cautious, while others may see the decline as an opportunity. Before deciding whether to buy, hold or sell, it is important to review whether the company’s fundamentals support long-term growth or if near-term challenges are likely to persist. Evaluating ACHR’s growth prospects and risks can help in making a well-informed investment decision.
Tailwinds for ACHR
Archer Aviation continues to strengthen its position in the eVTOL market through technology-driven initiatives and international expansion efforts.
In January 2026, Archer Aviation announced plans to develop and deploy next-generation Artificial Intelligence technologies for aviation using NVIDIA’s IGX Thor platform. The company intends to use Physical AI to improve aircraft safety, airspace integration and autonomy-ready systems. Archer Aviation plans to demonstrate this NVIDIA-enabled technology at its recently acquired Hawthorne Airport facility in central Los Angeles, which is expected to serve as the operating base for its planned Los Angeles air taxi network as well as a testing site for AI-based aviation solutions.
In the same month, Archer Aviation entered into a strategic partnership with the Government of the Republic of Serbia, which is seeking to support the adoption of electric air taxis across Europe. Under this agreement, Serbia named ACHR as its preferred eVTOL partner and holds an option to purchase an initial fleet of Midnight aircraft. The arrangement allows for the purchase of up to 25 aircraft, subject to regulatory and legal approvals, marking a key step in Archer Aviation’s expansion into the European urban air mobility market.
Risks to Watch
While Archer Aviation shows near-term potential, its long-term outlook remains uncertain. The eVTOL industry is still in its early stages, and the company’s success will depend on its ability to design, certify and scale production as the market evolves. The pace of industry development and the level of demand for eVTOL aircraft will play a key role in shaping results. In addition, concerns around safety, noise levels and affordability could affect public acceptance and may constrain broader adoption.
Earnings Estimates for ACHR
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ACHR’s 2026 loss indicates a year-over-year improvement of 12.6%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The consensus estimates for its 2026 loss have remained the same over the past 60 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
ACHR Shares Are Trading at a Discount
ACHR stock is trading at a discount, with its trailing 12-month Price/Book (P/B TTM) being 2.87X compared with its industry average of 6.98X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Its industry peer, L3Harris Technologies, is also trading at a discount. LHX is trading at a P/B TTM of 3.33X. However, Lockheed Martin is trading at a P/B TTM of 21.35X.
Liquidity Position of ACHR
ACHR has a current ratio of 18.20. The ratio, being more than one, indicates that the company possesses sufficient capital to pay off its short-term debt obligations.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Its industry peers, Lockheed Martin and L3Harris Technologies, also maintain current ratios above one. LMT has a current ratio of 1.09, while LHX holds 1.19.
What Should an Investor Do?
Archer Aviation offers a mixed investment outlook at current levels. While the stock’s discounted valuation, stable earnings estimates and strong liquidity provide some support, uncertainty remains due to the early stage of the eVTOL industry and execution risks related to certification and production scale-up. As a result, existing investors may consider holding the stock while tracking the company’s progress on technology development, partnerships and regulatory approvals. New investors may prefer to wait for clearer signs of sustained commercial momentum.
ACHR currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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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.

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