Shares of Lockheed Martin Corporation $LMT rallied 2.15% on Thursday, closing at $466.40 USD on the NYSE—up $9.80 from the previous session. The intraday chart displayed a strong upward trajectory from the opening bell, with LMT ending near the session high. This move not only snapped a short-term downtrend but also suggested a potential bullish reversal as investor sentiment shifted back in favor of defense equities. After posting negative returns over five days (-2.39%), one month (-1.36%), and six months (-5.89%), the day’s breakout marked a technical recovery for the stock. It outperformed major indices and defense peers, drawing attention to possible sector rotation amidst rising geopolitical and defense budget tailwinds.
The U.S. Department of Defense has reportedly halved its projected procurement request for Lockheed Martin’s $LMT F-35 fighter jets, signaling a significant shift in near-term military spending priorities. According to Bloomberg, a recent document submitted to Congress seeks funding for only 24 new F-35 aircraft in fiscal year 2025—down from the previously anticipated 48 units.
In a significant development in the advancement of national security and space infrastructure, the US Space Force announced on Wednesday that companies Boeing and Lockheed Martin have been granted approval to utilize the newly developed Vulcan rocket for launching American satellites. This decision marks a critical step in ensuring reliable and secure access to space and demonstrates the nation’s commitment to improving its space launch systems.
The recent agreement between former President Donald Trump and Boeing marks a pivotal moment for both the defense industry and financial markets. The decision to kick off the development of the state-of-the-art F-47 fighter—a key component of the new Air Superiority Next Generation program—signals the onset of a new era. This initiative aims to replace Lockheed Martin’s F-22 Raptor by introducing a manned aircraft designed to operate in tandem with unmanned aerial vehicles.
