General Dynamics (GD) reported fiscal second-quarter results ahead of Wall Street estimates and increased its full-year earnings guidance amid strong order activity.
Earnings grew to $4.24 a share in the quarter through July 5 from $3.74 a year earlier, ahead of the Street's projections for $3.96. Revenue rose 8.1% to $14.09 billion, surpassing the $13.52 billion modeled by analysts.
For fiscal 2026, the aerospace and defense company raised its EPS outlook to between $16.80 and $16.90 from its prior range of $16.45 to $16.55. Analysts polled by FactSet are looking for $16.77.
"Our businesses delivered solid results in the quarter, with revenue growth across all four segments -- including double-digit increases in revenue and noteworthy margin expansion in aerospace and marine systems," Chief Executive Phebe Novakovic said in an earnings release Wednesday.
Second-quarter orders totaled $20 billion, including $5.3 billion for the aerospace segment. The company saw "the strongest first half for orders for aerospace since 2022, (reflecting) very solid demand across the entire Gulfstream product line," Chief Financial Officer Kimberly Kuryea said on an earnings call, according to a FactSet transcript.
Morgan Stanley expected increasing global defense spending to serve as a tailwind for General Dynamics. "The (Trump) administration's emphasis on shoring up the US shipbuilding industry in particular also bodes well for (General Dynamics') marine business, though improvements will take time to materialize," the brokerage said in a note to clients e-mailed July 15.
Last week, other key industry players RTX (RTX), Lockheed Martin (LMT) and Northrop Grumman (NOC) raised their full-year guidance and posted second-quarter sales ahead of the Street's views.
General Dynamics reported a 10.4% operating margin for the second quarter versus 10.5% in the linking quarter.
The sequential decline came "despite the fact that operating margins by line of business all improved," President Danny Deep said on the call Wednesday. "This is attributable to a slightly disadvantageous mix, plus a modest increase in both (general and administrative expenses) and (research and development)."
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