Lockheed Martin Stock Soars 11% After Lifting 2026 Forecasts as Pentagon Seeks to Restock Weapons

Defense giant Lockheed Martin lifted its 2026 sales and profit forecasts on Thursday ​as the Pentagon looks to replenish weapons stockpiles amid a wave ‌of global conflicts.

Shares of the company rose 11.57%.

President Donald Trump has been urging defense contractors to increase production as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and a prolonged Russia-Ukraine conflict drain the Pentagon's inventory.

Revenue ​for Lockheed's missiles and fire control business rose nearly 20% to $4.1 billion, driven by a production ramp-up ​of its PAC-3 and Precision Strike missiles, both of which have been used in ⁠the war on Iran in the last few months.

The segment was also helped ​by higher production of its THAAD missile interceptors, after the company signed a $35 billion contract with ​the U.S. government in June to quadruple output.

Demand is expected to remain strong as the U.S. has used more than 50,000 rockets, missiles and rocket-propelled munitions since the start of the Russia-Ukraine ​conflict in 2022 through the U.S. attack on Iran, according to Pentagon data.

"We're in active ​dialog looking at other potential opportunities. We do see a real opportunity here for more partnerships ‌to ⁠scale production faster, particularly in Europe," CFO Evan Scott said on a call with Reuters.

Sales in Lockheed's aeronautics segment also rose 9%, partly supported by higher production volume and sales of its F-35 stealth fighters. The F-35 is the Pentagon's largest acquisition program, with lifetime ​costs estimated at more ​than $2 trillion to ⁠purchase, operate and sustain the aircraft.

Lockheed's total backlog grew to $230.4 billion, up 38.3% from $166.5 billion last year.

It expects 2026 revenue between $79.75 billion and $81.75 billion, ​higher than the previous forecast range of $77.5 billion to $80 billion. Analysts ​on average ⁠expect $79.14 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG.

It now expects full-year per-share profit of $29.95 to $30.65, compared with its earlier projection of $29.35 to $30.25, and higher than Wall Street estimates of $29.90.

The Bethesda, Maryland-based company reported ⁠a second-quarter ​profit of $7.94 per share, compared with $1.46 apiece last year, when it ​was hit by a $1.6 billion charge due to difficulties in the Aeronautics unit and international helicopter programs in its ​Sikorsky segment.