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U.S. Aerospace and Defense Industry Analysis

UpdatedAug 26, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies110
  • 7D-7.4%
  • 3M0.8%
  • 1Y16.3%
  • YTDn/a

Over the last 7 days, the Aerospace and Defense industry has dropped 7.4%, driven by General Electric declining 6.8%. Meanwhile, National Presto Industries actually outperformed within the industry, gaining 6.5% in the last week. This takes the industry's 12 month performance to a gain of 16%. Earnings are forecast to grow by 18% annually.

Industry Valuation and Performance

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

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Wed, 26 Aug 2026US$1.7tUS$546.3bUS$40.2b37.3x42.6x3.1x
Fri, 24 Jul 2026US$1.7tUS$533.6bUS$37.4b39.6x45x3.2x
Sun, 21 Jun 2026US$1.8tUS$547.6bUS$39.8b38.2x45.7x3.3x
Tue, 19 May 2026US$1.6tUS$529.2bUS$37.5b34.2x42.4x3x
Thu, 16 Apr 2026US$1.7tUS$511.7bUS$36.3b38.8x46.2x3.3x
Sat, 14 Mar 2026US$1.7tUS$511.3bUS$35.2b41.6x47x3.2x
Mon, 09 Feb 2026US$1.7tUS$509.8bUS$35.5b41.3x47.2x3.3x
Wed, 07 Jan 2026US$1.4tUS$410.0bUS$31.9b40.4x44.7x3.5x
Fri, 05 Dec 2025US$1.3tUS$409.5bUS$32.4b37.9x39.2x3.1x
Sun, 02 Nov 2025US$1.4tUS$408.1bUS$32.3b38.9x42.2x3.3x
Tue, 30 Sep 2025US$1.3tUS$395.8bUS$31.0b38x41.2x3.2x
Thu, 28 Aug 2025US$1.2tUS$394.2bUS$31.0b34.9x39.3x3.1x
Sat, 26 Jul 2025US$1.2tUS$392.6bUS$31.2b36.5x38.1x3x
Mon, 23 Jun 2025US$1.1tUS$387.0bUS$29.9b34.1x37.1x2.9x
Wed, 21 May 2025US$1.1tUS$386.7bUS$30.0b33.3x35.3x2.7x
Fri, 18 Apr 2025US$926.1bUS$377.4bUS$28.8b31.1x32.2x2.5x
Sun, 16 Mar 2025US$929.1bUS$377.0bUS$29.1b31.9x32x2.5x
Tue, 11 Feb 2025US$940.5bUS$375.6bUS$29.9b33.3x31.5x2.5x
Thu, 09 Jan 2025US$873.8bUS$403.9bUS$27.9b33.1x31.3x2.2x
Sat, 07 Dec 2024US$929.3bUS$403.7bUS$27.9b34.8x33.3x2.3x
Mon, 04 Nov 2024US$900.4bUS$403.1bUS$27.7b32.5x32.5x2.2x
Wed, 02 Oct 2024US$935.0bUS$393.7bUS$23.6b35.4x39.6x2.4x
Fri, 30 Aug 2024US$890.2bUS$388.7bUS$23.3b34.1x38.3x2.3x
Sun, 28 Jul 2024US$850.5bUS$387.2bUS$22.9b34.6x37.1x2.2x
Tue, 25 Jun 2024US$807.6bUS$381.1bUS$23.9b32.2x33.8x2.1x
Thu, 23 May 2024US$812.3bUS$380.8bUS$23.8b31.7x34.1x2.1x
Sat, 20 Apr 2024US$762.9bUS$371.8bUS$27.8b30.2x27.5x2.1x
Mon, 18 Mar 2024US$585.9bUS$303.9bUS$18.8b31.5x31.2x1.9x
Wed, 14 Feb 2024US$563.3bUS$303.0bUS$18.5b29.2x30.4x1.9x
Fri, 12 Jan 2024US$576.3bUS$302.1bUS$20.9b29.1x27.6x1.9x
Sun, 10 Dec 2023US$566.7bUS$301.7bUS$20.9b28.2x27.1x1.9x
Tue, 07 Nov 2023US$555.5bUS$301.3bUS$20.6b28.2x27x1.8x
Thu, 05 Oct 2023US$511.1bUS$301.2bUS$22.4b26x22.8x1.7x
Sat, 02 Sep 2023US$559.0bUS$305.8bUS$22.8b25.5x24.5x1.8x
Price to Earnings Ratio

24.5x


Total Market Cap: US$559.0bTotal Earnings: US$22.8bTotal Revenue: US$305.8bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Aerospace and Defense Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 36.2x202420252026
Current Industry PE
  • Investors are optimistic on the American Aerospace and Defense industry, and appear confident in long term growth rates.
  • The industry is trading at a PE ratio of 42.6x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 36.2x.
  • The 3-year average PS ratio of 2.6x is lower than the industry's current PS ratio of 3.1x.
Past Earnings Growth
  • The earnings for companies in the Aerospace and Defense industry have grown 21% per year over the last three years.
  • Revenues for these companies have grown 21% 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.S. Aerospace and Defense compare with similar industries?

US Market-0.31%
Industrials-3.03%
Aerospace & Defense-7.37%
Aerospace and Defense-7.37%
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
NPK National Presto IndustriesUS$156.806.5%
+US$68.1m		46.9%PE26.1x
FJET Starfighters SpaceUS$3.86-2.8%
US$36.9m		n/aPB7.1x
EXYN Exyn TechnologiesUS$3.2240.0%
+US$7.6m		n/aPS4.8x
MRLN MerlinUS$3.351.2%
+US$4.0m		-67.7%PS50x
SIF SIFCO IndustriesUS$21.491.4%
+US$1.8m		203.1%PE34.4x

Latest News

RTX
US$210.28
RTX
7D
-6.7%
1Y
31.8%
BA
US$211.08
Boeing
7D
-5.4%
1Y
-10.1%
RKLB
US$66.91
Rocket Lab
7D
-15.5%
1Y
39.0%
Seeking Alpha • 20h

Rocket Lab: Neutron May Yet Again Be Delayed

Summary Rocket Lab posted strong Q2 results with 62% Y/Y revenue growth and a record $2.36B backlog, but shares remain under pressure. The loss of scarcity premium due to SpaceX's IPO and ongoing delays in Neutron's launch timeline have weighed heavily on RKLB's valuation. RKLB's acquisition of Iridium introduces significant debt, with Iridium's low growth and cash flow largely pledged to debt service, raising financing concerns. I maintain a Sell rating on RKLB, citing weak fundamentals, execution risk on Neutron, and unattractive risk-reward despite the recent share price decline. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
NOC
US$542.52
Northrop Grumman
7D
-7.9%
1Y
-8.5%
Seeking Alpha • Aug 25

Northrop Grumman: A Strategic Play On Defense Growth And Missile Demand

Summary Northrop Grumman trades below its 5-year average valuation as growth is set to accelerate, presenting a compelling entry point. NOC's backlog reached a record $105 billion, with multi-year missile contracts and capacity investments poised to drive margin expansion. Guidance was raised after strong Q2 earnings; I expect EBITDA of $6.6B in 2026 and over $7B in 2027, supporting a $725/share fair value. Risks are primarily valuation-related, with moderate debt and sector-wide market corrections as the main concerns, not company-specific fundamentals. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
LMT
US$556.52
Lockheed Martin
7D
-8.3%
1Y
22.2%
MRLN
US$3.35
Merlin
7D
1.2%
1Y
-67.7%
GD
US$376.58
General Dynamics
7D
-4.3%
1Y
16.9%
Seeking Alpha • Aug 22

General Dynamics: Why Q2 Results And Market-Cap Weighted Multiples Trigger An Upgrade (Rating Upgrade)

Summary General Dynamics is upgraded to BUY after outperforming Q2 expectations, driven by strong revenue and operating profit growth. Aerospace segment margin expansion and a robust 1.5-to-1 book-to-bill ratio signal sustained demand and operational efficiency. GD’s $136.5 billion backlog, especially in Marine Systems, underpins long-term cash flow and provides a margin of safety. Relative valuation reveals up to 45.8% upside; current price is attractive versus market-cap weighted peers despite labor and contract risks. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
HWM
US$264.04
Howmet Aerospace
7D
-9.8%
1Y
50.1%
Narrative Update • Aug 22

HWM: Raised Guidance And Q2 Demand Strength Will Test Fair Valuation

Analysts have lifted the fair value estimate for Howmet Aerospace to $284.24 from $268.23, citing higher modeled revenue growth, stronger profit margins, and updated P/E assumptions that reflect recent rounds of rising Street price targets following robust Q2 demand commentary from multiple firms. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Howmet Aerospace has centered on Q2 results, demand trends across commercial aerospace and defense, and how these factors feed into valuation.
EXYN
US$3.22
Exyn Technologies
7D
40.0%
1Y
n/a
GE
US$349.54
General Electric
7D
-6.8%
1Y
27.6%
FJET
US$3.86
Starfighters Space
7D
-2.8%
1Y
n/a
VTSI
US$3.09
VirTra
7D
2.0%
1Y
-46.8%
NPK
US$156.80
National Presto Industries
7D
6.5%
1Y
46.9%
AIRI
US$2.61
Air Industries Group
7D
6.5%
1Y
-17.4%
SIF
US$21.49
SIFCO Industries
7D
1.4%
1Y
203.1%
DUKR
US$5.64
DUKE Robotics
7D
4.3%
1Y
-29.5%