Best Defense Stocks To Own Right Now

Best Defense Stocks To Own Right Now: Lockheed Martin Corporation(LMT)

Lockheed Martin Corporation engages in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, operation, and sustainment of advanced technology systems and products in the areas of defense, space, intelligence, homeland security, and government information technology in the United States and internationally. It also provides management, engineering, technical, scientific, logistic, and information services. The company operates in four segments: Aeronautics, Electronic Systems, Information Systems & Global Services (IS&GS), and Space Systems. The Aeronautics segment offers military aircraft, including combat and air mobility aircraft, unmanned air vehicles, and related technologies. Its products and programs comprise the F-35 multi-role, stealth fighter; the F-22 air dominance and multi-mission stealth fighter; the F-16 multi-role fighter; the C-130J tactical transport aircraft; and the C-5M strategic airlifter modernization program; and support for the P-3 maritime patrol aircraft, and the U-2 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft. The Electronic Systems segment provides air and missile defense; tactical missiles; weapon fire control systems; surface ship and submarine combat systems; anti-submarine and undersea warfare systems; land, sea-based, and airborne radars; surveillance and reconnaissance systems; simulation and training systems; and integrated logistics and sustainment services. The IS&GS segment offers information technology solutions and advanced technology primarily in the areas of software and systems integration for space, air, and ground systems to various defense and civil government agencies. The Space Systems segment provides government and commercial satellites; strategic and defensive missile systems, including missile defense technologies and systems, and fleet ballistic missiles; and space transportation sys! tems. Lockheed Martin Corporation was founded in 1909 and is based in Bethesda, Maryland.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jonas Elmerraji]

   

  By chance, our next Rocket Stock also happens to have "sin stock" status. That's because we're taking a look at defense contracting giant Lockheed Martin (LMT). Lockheed Martin happens to be the only name on our Rocket Stocks list that actually manufactures rockets; the firm is one of the biggest defense contractors on earth, building everything from fighter jets to surveillance equipment to armored vehicles.

   

  In the last decade, Lockheed has worked on securing government contracts outside of the DoD, using its expertise to provide IT services to the Department of Energy, and the FAA with flight service staffing, for example. Iraq and Afghanistan have been major drivers of government demand for LMT's products and services -- and despite the occasional congressional budget scare, those needs are likely to persist for some time. Likewise, Lockheed has historically been able to secure permission to sell military equipment to our allies, diversifying the firm's fortunes away from Uncle Sam's pocketbook.

   

  That said, don't expect DoD spending to diminish in importance for Lockheed Martin's overall business. The firm's bread and butter will continue to come from defense sales. Like other sin stocks, Lockheed sports a hefty dividend payout -- the firm currently pays a 3.2% yield at current levels. With rising analyst sentiment in Lockheed Martin, we're betting on shares this week.
  
  
  Must Read: 5 Breakout Stocks Under $10 Set to Soar

   

• [By Steven Russolillo]

  WATCH FOR: September Existing Home Sales (10:00 a.m. Eastern Time): seen +1.0% at 5.1 million; previously -1.8% at 5.05 million. ACE, Apollo Education, Brinker, Broadcom (BRCM), Coca-Cola (KO), Discover, E*Trade, Harley-Davidson (HOG), Illinois Tool Works (ITW), Interactive Brokers, Intuitive! Surgical! , Kimberly-Clark (KMB), Lexmark (LXK), Lockheed Martin (LMT), Manpower (MAN), McDonald's (MCD), Omnicom (OMC), Regions Financial (RF), Reynolds American (RAI), Six Flags Entertainment, Travelers, United Technologies Verizon Communications (VZ), VMware, Whirlpool (WHR) and Yahoo (YHOO) are among companies scheduled to report quarterly results.

• [By Tom Rojas var popups = dojo.query(".socialByline .popC"); popups.forEach(func]

  Lockheed Martin Corp.(LMT) on Tuesday reported a forecast-beating 1.7% rise in third-quarter profit and raised its 2014 earnings outlook for the third time this year, but said sales and margins will drop sequentially in 2015. Shares lost 2.7% to $170.80 premarket.

• [By Alanna Petroff]

  1. Expecting earnings: McDonald's (MCD), Coca-Cola (KO), Verizon (VZ, Tech30) and Lockheed Martin (LMT) are the big companies reporting quarterly results before the start of trading.

source from Top Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksblog.com/best-defense-stocks-to-own-right-now-2.html