Lockheed Martin Announces Program Losses

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By Brian Nelson, CFA

Lockheed Martin (LMT) recently reported disappointing second quarter results that showed a miss on the top line versus consensus and pre-tax losses on programs of $1.6 billion and other charges of $169 million, combining to impact earnings per share by $5.83. Second quarter sales came in at $18.2 billion, up from $18.1 billion in the second quarter of 2024. Net earnings of $1.46 per share compared to $6.85 per share in last year’s quarter. Cash from operations was $201 million compared to $1.9 billion in last year’s quarter, while free cash flow dipped into negative territory, compared to $1.5 billion in the second quarter of 2024.

Management had the following to say about the results:

Over the course of the past few months, Lockheed Martin systems and platforms once again proved highly effective in combat operations and in deterring further aggression. Our F-35s, F-22s, PAC-3, THAAD, Aegis and many others, crewed by the soldiers, airmen, sailors, marines and guardians of the U.S. and its Allies, and supported by our own dedicated teammates, performed extremely well in the most crucial and challenging situations. Based in part on this record of performance as well as the promise of several advanced technologies in development, our U.S. and allied customers are asking us to elevate and accelerate many key programs. For example, several allied nations have recently announced additional F-35 purchases, the U.S. Army has awarded more than $1 billion in missile-related contracts so far, and the U.S. Space Force is ordering additional GPS IIIF satellites. At the same time, our ongoing program review process identified new developments that caused us to re-evaluate the financial position on a set of major legacy programs. As a result, we are taking a number of charges this quarter to address these newly identified risks. We remain committed to delivering these critical capabilities that our customers are counting on and are fully focused on the growth inflection we expect as the result of heightened interest and demand for Lockheed Martin’s products and technologies.

Overall, the company’s foundation remains solid and resilient. In the second quarter, sales of $18 billion grew sequentially, as we continued to drive supply chain improvements and ramp capacity on needed deterrent capabilities. In addition, we invested $800 million in infrastructure and innovation for growth and returned $1.3 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. We are maintaining full year 2025 guidance for sales, cash from operations, capital expense, free cash flow, and share repurchases. The program charges taken in the quarter – which resulted from our ongoing rigorous monitoring and review processes – are a necessary step as we continue to take action to improve program execution. We’re investing in emerging technologies, and as a proven mission integrator, we remain well positioned to support critical programs like the Golden Dome for America. Our relentless focus on operational performance combined with our disciplined capital allocation strategy will enable us to deliver value to our shareholders, while providing the advanced solutions that America and its allies need to maintain peace through strength for decades to come.

Looking to 2025, Lockheed Martin reiterated its sales guidance in the range of $73.75-$74.75 billion, but it cut its business segment operating profit expectations for the year to the range of $6.6-$6.7 billion from $8.1-$8.2 billion. Diluted earnings per share for 2025 is now expected in the range of $21.70-$22.00, down from the range of $27.00-$27.30 previously. Lockheed maintained its cash flow from operations guidance for 2025 in the range of $8.5-$8.7 billion. It also maintained its free cash flow guidance for the year in the range of $6.6-$6.8 billion. We didn’t like the announced pre-tax losses on programs but were encouraged that Lockheed stuck with its annual free cash flow outlook. Lockheed Martin remains an idea in the Dividend Growth Newsletter portfolio. 

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