Core Viewpoint - Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) presents a strong investment opportunity in the Aerospace Defense industry due to rising earnings estimates, robust return on equity (ROE), effective debt management, a solid backlog, and shareholder-friendly initiatives [1] Earnings Growth and Revenue Forecast - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HII's 2025 earnings per share (EPS) has increased by 3.3% to $14.31 per share over the past 30 days [2] - The total revenue estimate for HII in 2025 is $11.91 billion, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 3.3% [2] - HII's earnings growth rate over the next three to five years is projected at 11% [3] - The company has consistently surpassed earnings expectations, achieving an average earnings surprise of 4.20% in the last four quarters [3] Return on Equity - HII's current ROE stands at 12.26%, outperforming the industry average of 10.75%, indicating more effective use of funds compared to peers [4] Shareholder Initiatives - HII has been enhancing shareholder value through dividends, currently paying a quarterly dividend of $1.35 per share, which translates to an annualized dividend of $5.40 [5] - The company's dividend yield is 2.40%, surpassing the Zacks S&P 500 Composite's average of 1.27% [5] - In the first quarter of 2025, HII paid dividends totaling $53 million [5] Backlog and Order Growth - HII's order growth remains strong, with new contract awards valued at nearly $2.1 billion in the first quarter of 2025, leading to a total backlog of $48.05 billion as of March 31, 2025 [6] - This significant backlog is favorable for the company's revenue generation prospects in the coming years [6] Debt Profile - HII's total debt to capital ratio is 40.15%, which is better than the industry average of 52.09% [7] - The times interest earned (TIE) ratio at the end of the first quarter of 2025 was 7.3, indicating the company can comfortably meet its interest payment obligations [7] Stock Performance - Over the past three months, HII shares have increased by 28%, significantly outperforming the industry's growth of 8% [8]

Industry Overview - The aerospace defense industry is experiencing growth despite supply-chain challenges, driven by increased defense budgets and positive projections for global air passenger numbers in the second half of 2025 [1][3] - A White House report indicates a proposed 13% increase in U.S. defense spending to $1.01 trillion for fiscal year 2026, which is expected to benefit defense-focused companies [4] - The Zacks-defined Aerospace – Defense Industry ranks in the top 16% of Zacks Industry Rank, suggesting it will outperform the market in the next three to six months [5] Company Summaries GE Aerospace - GE Aerospace is seeing strong demand for commercial engines and propulsion technologies, supported by rising defense budgets and geopolitical tensions [8] - The company raised its dividend by 28.6% to 36 cents per share in February 2025, with expected organic revenue growth in the low-double-digit range for 2025 [9] - GE Aerospace has an expected revenue growth rate of -6.8% and an earnings growth rate of 19.6% for the current year [9] Howmet Aerospace Inc. - Howmet Aerospace is benefiting from robust momentum in the commercial aerospace market and strength in its defense business due to rising defense budgets [10] - The company has a strong liquidity position and expects revenue and earnings growth rates of 8.5% and 28.6%, respectively, for the current year [11] Leidos Holdings Inc. - Leidos Holdings reported strong earnings and revenue growth, with increased contract wins from the Pentagon leading to a solid backlog of $46.30 billion [12][14] - The company is well-positioned to contribute to the development of a next-generation missile defense shield, with expected revenue and earnings growth rates of 2.7% and 4.3%, respectively, for the current year [14] Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc. - Huntington Ingalls is a leading U.S. shipbuilder with a solid order backlog, driven by strong demand for its nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines [15][16] - The company expects revenue and earnings growth rates of 3.3% and 2.5%, respectively, for the current year [17] Vertical Aerospace Ltd. - Vertical Aerospace is focused on designing and manufacturing zero-emission electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, with significant growth potential in the advanced air mobility market [18] - The company has an expected revenue growth rate of 1% and an earnings growth rate of over 100% for the current year [19]

Company Overview - HII is a global, all-domain defense provider focused on delivering powerful ships and solutions to protect peace and freedom worldwide [2] - As the largest military shipbuilder in the U.S., HII has a history of over 135 years in advancing national security [3] - The company employs a workforce of 44,000 [3] Upcoming Events - HII will participate in Bernstein's Strategic Decisions Conference on May 28, with a conversation featuring President and CEO Chris Kastner scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Eastern time [1]

Core Viewpoint - Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) has shown strong stock market performance in 2025, delivering a 21% return to shareholders year to date [1] Group 1: Company Overview - Huntington Ingalls Industries is the largest military shipbuilder in the United States, poised to benefit from increased funding for domestic shipbuilding programs proposed by the new Trump administration [2] - The company has a significant order backlog of $48 billion and anticipates over $50 billion in additional awards in the next 20 months, enhancing its earnings potential [9] Group 2: National Security Role - The company plays a critical role in national security by constructing advanced naval vessels, including the only U.S. facility capable of building Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers [4] - Huntington Ingalls also produces Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and develops uncrewed undersea vehicles, showcasing its diverse defense capabilities [5][6] Group 3: Impact of Trump's Defense Agenda - The Trump administration's focus on revitalizing U.S. military strength and enhancing domestic shipbuilding capabilities is expected to benefit Huntington Ingalls [7][8] Group 4: Financial Performance and Growth Outlook - In Q1, Huntington Ingalls reported revenue of $2.7 billion, a 2.5% decline year over year, but earnings per share (EPS) of $3.97 exceeded expectations [10] - The company projects full-year shipbuilding revenue between $8.9 billion and $9.1 billion, indicating a 3% increase from 2024 [10] - A new production site near Charleston, South Carolina, is expected to increase capacity by 20%, supporting future growth [11] Group 5: Dividend and Valuation - Huntington Ingalls has a quarterly dividend of $1.35 per share, yielding 2.31%, and has increased its annual dividend for the past 13 years, indicating potential for future growth [11] - The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 16, which is lower than the average of 19 for its defense sector peers, suggesting it may be undervalued [13][14] Group 6: Investment Perspective - The overall outlook for Huntington Ingalls is positive, with strong fundamentals and strategic positioning in the defense sector making it an attractive option for investors [16]

Industry Overview - The Zacks Aerospace-Defense industry includes companies that design and manufacture military and commercial aircraft, combat vehicles, missiles, and space transportation vehicles [2] - It also encompasses cybersecurity firms providing IT services and C4ISR solutions, along with defense contractors offering spare parts and maintenance services [3] Key Trends - Improved air traffic outlook is boosting growth prospects, with global air passenger traffic revenue per kilometer increasing by 3.3% year over year to 738.8 billion [4] - The U.S. defense budget is projected to increase by 13% to $1.01 trillion for fiscal year 2026, which will benefit defense-focused companies [5] - Supply-chain disruptions continue to pose challenges, particularly affecting smaller suppliers in the commercial aerospace sector, with a projected drop in aircraft deliveries from 2,293 to 1,802 in 2025 due to these bottlenecks [6][7] Industry Performance - The Aerospace-Defense industry has underperformed compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite and its own sector, with a collective gain of 7.2% over the past year, while the Aerospace sector grew by 11.9% and the S&P 500 by 8.3% [12] - The industry currently holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 92, placing it in the top 37% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating positive near-term prospects [9] Valuation Metrics - The industry is trading at a trailing 12-month EV/Sales ratio of 2.82, compared to the S&P 500's 4.86 and the sector's 2.51 [15] Company Highlights - **Airbus Group**: Revenues improved by 6% year over year, with earnings per share increasing by 33%. The 2025 sales estimate is $82.57 billion, reflecting a 10.4% increase from the previous year [18][19] - **Leidos Holdings**: Revenues grew by 7% year over year to $4.25 billion, with adjusted earnings up by 30%. The 2025 sales estimate indicates a 2.7% improvement from 2024 [22][23] - **Huntington Ingalls Industries**: Received orders worth $2.1 billion in the first quarter, with a total backlog of $48 billion as of March 31, 2025. The 2025 sales estimate shows a 3.5% increase from 2024 [26][27]

Group 1: Deere (DE) - Deere's stock has increased over 16% year-to-date, driven by optimism regarding easing trade tensions [3] - The company reported a first-quarter net income of $869 million, with a full-year forecast of $5 billion to $5.5 billion, but faced a 30% revenue decline and a 50% drop in net income compared to the previous year [5] - Deere's supply chain is relatively protected against tariffs due to domestic manufacturing, and the company is expected to address supply chain adjustments in its upcoming earnings call [9] Group 2: Energy Transfer (ET) - Energy Transfer has a distribution yield of 7.5% and plans to invest $5 billion in growth capital expenditures in 2025, significantly higher than its maintenance capital expenditures of $1.1 billion [12] - The company is in discussions to develop a large LNG export facility in Lake Charles, Louisiana, which could enhance its position in the energy market [13] - The current administration's business-friendly policies are expected to support the development of U.S. energy assets, benefiting companies like Energy Transfer [11] Group 3: Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) - Huntington Ingalls' shares have risen over 20% in 2025, contrasting with a nearly 4% dip in the S&P 500, and the company offers a forward yield of 2.3% [14] - The company reported first-quarter revenue of $2.7 billion, below expectations, but exceeded earnings estimates with an EPS of $3.79 [15] - Management reaffirmed a 2025 forecast of shipbuilding revenue between $8.9 billion and $9.1 billion, alongside a free cash flow projection of $300 million to $500 million [16]

Group 1 - More than two dozen high school seniors have accepted job offers to start their shipbuilding careers at HII's Newport News Shipbuilding division [1] - The Newport News Shipbuilding division participated in the NHREC Good Life Solution Program's Career Selection Day, where 18 students accepted employment offers for full-time positions or apprenticeships [2] - The Apprentice School offers tuition-free apprenticeships in 19 trades and seven optional programs, funded by HII to develop the next generation of shipbuilders [2][4] Group 2 - The Good Life Solution Program aims to enhance recruitment, hiring, training, and retention of entry-level hires from high schools through partnerships between NHREC and local employers [3] - A ceremony was held to recognize students from the Youth Builders program, with 13 students accepting offers to attend The Apprentice School [4] - HII's mission is to deliver powerful ships and all-domain solutions to support national security, with a workforce of 44,000 [7][8]

Core Viewpoint - Investors are evaluating Huntington Ingalls (HII) and RTX (RTX) to determine which stock presents a better value opportunity for investment [1] Valuation Metrics - HII has a forward P/E ratio of 16.65, while RTX has a forward P/E of 21.30 [5] - HII's PEG ratio is 1.51, indicating a more favorable valuation compared to RTX's PEG ratio of 2.30 [5] - HII's P/B ratio stands at 1.92, compared to RTX's P/B ratio of 2.71, suggesting HII is more undervalued relative to its book value [6] Analyst Outlook - HII currently holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating a positive earnings estimate revision trend, while RTX has a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [3] - The improving earnings outlook for HII positions it as a more attractive option for value investors [7] Value Grades - HII has received a Value grade of B, while RTX has a Value grade of C, reflecting HII's stronger valuation metrics [6]

Industry Overview - The U.S. shipbuilding industry has been experiencing a downturn since the peak of the pandemic, with companies tied to pre-COVID contracts facing reduced profitability [1] Company Performance - Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) is positioned to benefit from shifting budget priorities in Washington, with shares rising 12.9% in April as investor confidence grows [2] - The company, a primary shipbuilder for the U.S. Navy, has been considered vulnerable compared to its vertically integrated peers, relying heavily on shipbuilding for revenue [3] - After missing earnings expectations in February, investor sentiment has improved as the budget process in Washington gains momentum [3] Government Contracts and Strategic Priorities - Navy Secretary John Phelan emphasized the importance of domestic shipyards and shipbuilding, with the Navy increasing its long-term fleet size goals [4] - Huntington Ingalls and General Dynamics received significant contracts for Virginia-class submarines, highlighting the government's prioritization of these projects [4] Financial Results and Future Outlook - In early May, Huntington Ingalls reported first-quarter results that exceeded analyst expectations, with shipbuilding margins 90 basis points above forecasts [5] - The company maintained its full-year guidance, although second-quarter projections fell slightly short of analyst expectations [5] - Trading at 16 times earnings, Huntington Ingalls has potential for growth compared to other defense contractors like General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin [6] Investment Considerations - While there is optimism about Huntington Ingalls' prospects, investors should be aware that contract execution can take years, with funding linked to milestone achievements [7] - Even with potential better-than-expected performance post-budget finalization, significant financial benefits may not materialize until later in the decade [7]

Core Points - Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (HII) reported first-quarter 2025 earnings of $3.79 per share, a decline of 2.1% from $3.87 in the prior-year quarter, but exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.90 by 30.7% [1] - Total revenues for the quarter were $2.73 billion, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.79 billion by 2% and declining 2.5% from $2.81 billion in the year-ago quarter due to lower sales volume across all business segments [2] Operational Performance - Segmental operating income was $171 million, slightly up from $170 million in the first quarter of 2024, with an operating margin expansion of 19 basis points to 6.3% [3] - The increase in operating income was mainly driven by better performance in the Newport News Shipbuilding and Mission Technologies units [3] Orders and Backlog - HII received orders worth $2.1 billion in the first quarter of 2025, resulting in a total backlog of $48 billion as of March 31, 2025, down from $48.7 billion as of December 31, 2024 [4] Segmental Performance - Newport News Shipbuilding: Revenues totaled $1.40 billion, down 2.6% year over year, with operating income of $85 million, up 3.7% year over year due to contract incentives from the Virginia-class submarine program [5] - Ingalls Shipbuilding: Revenues were $637 million, down 2.7% year over year, with operating earnings of $46 million, down 23.3% year over year due to lower performance in amphibious assault ships [6] - Mission Technologies: Revenues totaled $735 million, down 2% year over year, with operating income increasing 42.9% year over year to $40 million, driven by higher performance in cyber, electronic warfare & space, and uncrewed systems [6][7] Financial Update - Cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2025, were $167 million, significantly down from $831 million as of December 31, 2024 [8] - Long-term debt remained at $2.70 billion as of March 31, 2025, consistent with the end of 2024 [8] - Cash used in operating activities was $395 million compared to $202 million a year ago [8] - Free cash outflow was $462 million in the first quarter of 2025, higher than $274 million in the prior-year period [9] 2025 Guidance - HII reaffirmed its 2025 guidance, expecting shipbuilding revenues in the range of $8.9-$9.1 billion and Mission Technologies revenues in the range of $2.9-$3.1 billion [10] - The company projects free cash flow to be between $300-$500 million [10]