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U.K. (FTSE) Aerospace and Defense Industry Analysis

UpdatedAug 20, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies13
  • 7D-2.9%
  • 3M18.8%
  • 1Y35.3%
  • YTDn/a

Over the last 7 days, the Aerospace and Defense industry has dropped 2.9%, driven by BAE Systems declining 4.8%. Over the past 12 months, the industry was up 35%. Earnings are forecast to grow by 14% annually.

Industry Valuation and Performance

Has the U.K. Aerospace and Defense Industry valuation changed over the past few years?

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Thu, 20 Aug 2026UK£205.9bUK£65.3bUK£5.7b28.9x36x3.2x
Sat, 18 Jul 2026UK£183.0bUK£62.2bUK£8.7b24.5x21x2.9x
Mon, 15 Jun 2026UK£179.4bUK£61.9bUK£8.8b24.6x20.4x2.9x
Wed, 13 May 2026UK£172.8bUK£61.9bUK£8.5b23.7x20.4x2.8x
Fri, 10 Apr 2026UK£193.4bUK£61.9bUK£8.5b28.3x22.9x3.1x
Sun, 08 Mar 2026UK£191.7bUK£61.9bUK£8.5b27.1x22.7x3.1x
Tue, 03 Feb 2026UK£181.2bUK£59.4bUK£8.3b25.1x21.9x3.1x
Thu, 01 Jan 2026UK£166.5bUK£59.4bUK£8.3b23.1x20.1x2.8x
Sat, 29 Nov 2025UK£157.4bUK£59.4bUK£8.3b23.8x19x2.6x
Mon, 27 Oct 2025UK£170.5bUK£59.3bUK£8.3b25.2x20.6x2.9x
Wed, 24 Sep 2025UK£175.6bUK£59.3bUK£8.3b24.7x21.3x3x
Fri, 22 Aug 2025UK£158.7bUK£59.3bUK£8.3b24.6x19.2x2.7x
Sun, 20 Jul 2025UK£76.9bUK£38.7bUK£2.1b29.7x36.9x2x
Tue, 17 Jun 2025UK£75.7bUK£38.4bUK£2.0b30.3x37.4x2x
Thu, 15 May 2025UK£66.6bUK£38.4bUK£2.3b26.1x28.5x1.7x
Sat, 12 Apr 2025UK£63.0bUK£38.5bUK£2.3b23.9x26.9x1.6x
Mon, 10 Mar 2025UK£62.7bUK£38.5bUK£2.3b26.2x26.8x1.6x
Wed, 05 Feb 2025UK£52.1bUK£36.7bUK£2.2b19.9x23.3x1.4x
Fri, 03 Jan 2025UK£49.2bUK£36.7bUK£2.2b19.9x22x1.3x
Sun, 01 Dec 2024UK£51.6bUK£36.7bUK£2.2b19.7x23.3x1.4x
Tue, 29 Oct 2024UK£52.5bUK£36.3bUK£2.2b18.7x24.1x1.4x
Thu, 26 Sep 2024UK£51.6bUK£36.3bUK£2.2b20x23.7x1.4x
Sat, 24 Aug 2024UK£53.6bUK£36.3bUK£2.2b21.4x24.6x1.5x
Mon, 22 Jul 2024UK£53.2bUK£34.8bUK£2.1b21.4x25.3x1.5x
Wed, 19 Jun 2024UK£56.0bUK£34.8bUK£2.1b23.4x26.7x1.6x
Fri, 17 May 2024UK£56.6bUK£34.6bUK£2.1b23.8x27.3x1.6x
Sun, 14 Apr 2024UK£55.2bUK£34.7bUK£2.1b22x26.7x1.6x
Tue, 12 Mar 2024UK£52.9bUK£34.6bUK£2.1b21.4x25.5x1.5x
Thu, 08 Feb 2024UK£50.7bUK£38.5bUK£2.1b19.6x23.9x1.3x
Sat, 06 Jan 2024UK£57.4bUK£41.0bUK£2.2b25.2x26.2x1.4x
Mon, 04 Dec 2023UK£53.9bUK£40.9bUK£2.2b32.1x24.6x1.3x
Wed, 01 Nov 2023UK£54.4bUK£40.7bUK£2.2b28.8x24.9x1.3x
Fri, 29 Sep 2023UK£51.9bUK£40.7bUK£2.2b26.2x23.8x1.3x
Sun, 27 Aug 2023UK£51.6bUK£40.4bUK£2.0b24.2x26.1x1.3x
Price to Earnings Ratio

26.1x


Total Market Cap: UK£51.6bTotal Earnings: UK£2.0bTotal Revenue: UK£40.4bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.K. Aerospace and Defense Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 24.8x202420252026
Current Industry PE
  • Investors are optimistic on the British Aerospace and Defense industry, and appear confident in long term growth rates.
  • The industry is trading at a PE ratio of 36.0x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 24.8x.
  • The 3-year average PS ratio of 2.0x is lower than the industry's current PS ratio of 3.2x.
Past Earnings Growth
  • The earnings for companies in the Aerospace and Defense industry have grown 42% per year over the last three years.
  • Revenues for these companies have grown 17% per year.
  • This means that more sales are being generated by these companies overall, and subsequently their profits are increasing too.

Industry Comparison

How does U.K. Aerospace and Defense compare with similar industries?

GB Market-0.83%
Industrials-1.92%
Aerospace & Defense-2.86%
Aerospace and Defense-2.86%
Industry PEThere are no additional sub-industries under this industry.
Forecasted GrowthThere are no additional sub-industries under this industry.

Top Stock Gainers and Losers

Which companies have driven the market over the last 7 days?

CompanyLast Price7D1YValuation
SNR SeniorUK£2.950.9%
+UK£10.2m		50.1%PS1.6x
VEL Velocity CompositesUK£0.1721.4%
+UK£1.6m		-26.1%PS0.5x
MSI MS INTERNATIONALUK£15.950.3%
+UK£821.6k		30.2%PE23.8x
PEN Pennant International GroupUK£0.291.8%
+UK£238.2k		26.1%PS1.4x

Latest News

BAB
UK£11.18
Babcock International Group
7D
-5.4%
1Y
12.2%
Narrative Update • Aug 18

BAB: Protected UK Defense Contracts Will Support Future Earnings Re Rating

The updated analyst price target for Babcock International Group has been trimmed from £16.75 to £16.05. This reflects a slightly lower fair value alongside recent Street research that combines modest target cuts with generally supportive views on the company’s position in core UK defence contracts and its ongoing execution.
AVON
UK£18.06
Avon Technologies
7D
-5.7%
1Y
-9.0%
Narrative Update • Aug 17

AVON: Defense Contract Wins And Interim Dividend Will Support Future Upside

Analysts have lifted their price target for Avon Technologies from about £21.68 to roughly £23.91, reflecting updated assumptions around fair value, discount rate, revenue growth, profit margins and future P/E expectations. What’s in the News for Avon Technologies Avon Technologies plans to pay an interim dividend of 8.1 US cents per share, with the dividend scheduled for 4 September 2026 and an ex dividend date of 6 August 2026.
BA.
UK£21.45
BAE Systems
7D
-4.1%
1Y
21.9%
MRO
UK£4.76
Melrose Industries
7D
-3.2%
1Y
-18.9%
CHG
UK£5.91
Chemring Group
7D
-4.7%
1Y
10.1%
MSI
UK£15.95
MS INTERNATIONAL
7D
0.3%
1Y
30.2%
CHRT
UK£12.70
Cohort
7D
-6.1%
1Y
5.5%
QQ.
UK£5.36
QinetiQ Group
7D
-4.3%
1Y
11.6%
Narrative Update • Aug 10

QQ.: Execution Risks And Higher P/E Will Constrain Upside Despite Supportive Ratings

QinetiQ Group's analyst price targets have moved higher, with several firms lifting their views into a £5.70 to £6.15 range as analysts factor in updated assumptions for fair value, discount rate, revenue growth, profit margins and future P/E. Analyst Commentary Recent research on QinetiQ Group points to a generally supportive stance on the stock, with several firms adjusting price targets into a £5.70 to £6.15 range and reaffirming constructive ratings.
RR.
UK£14.99
Rolls-Royce Holdings
7D
-1.7%
1Y
44.1%
Narrative Update • Aug 06

RR.: Defence Strength And Cash Returns Will Support Measured Re Rating Potential

Analysts have raised their fair value estimate for Rolls-Royce Holdings to £16.27 from £14.72, reflecting higher price targets and expectations for stronger margins, which offset slightly more conservative growth and discount rate assumptions. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Rolls-Royce Holdings points to a firmly constructive tone, with several large banks lifting price targets and reassessing the company’s execution and earnings power.
VEL
UK£0.17
Velocity Composites
7D
21.4%
1Y
-26.1%
PEN
UK£0.29
Pennant International Group
7D
1.8%
1Y
26.1%
SNR
UK£2.95
Senior
7D
0.9%
1Y
50.1%
Narrative Update • Jun 25

SNR: Fair Takeover Terms And Downgrade Will Shape Risk Balanced Outlook

Analysts have trimmed their price expectations for Senior, reflecting a more cautious stance following a downgrade in research coverage. The updated analysis emphasizes slightly higher discount rate assumptions and a modestly adjusted future P/E outlook, resulting in a revised target around £2.88.