Operating margin expanded by 240 basis points YoY to 13.2%, reflecting improved operational efficiency. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) rose 14% YoY to $7.28, significantly exceeding the consensus estimate of $6.31. Despite the revenue growth, free cash flow declined to $955 million, down from $1.3 billion in the same quarter last year. The decline was largely due to reduced cash from operations, driven by an increase in contract assets (due to milestone timing), elevated insurance costs, higher software expenditures, and timing-related impacts on employee-related payments.
Lockheed Martin is strategically positioned to benefit from a sustained rise in global defense spending, which reached a record $2.7 trillion in 2024, up 9.4% year-over-year. As geopolitical tensions persist and defense modernization becomes a priority across NATO and allied nations, demand for Lockheed's advanced platforms, particularly the F-35, remains resilient.
The company's robust backlog of $173 billion as of Q1 2025 is equivalent to over two years of forward revenue, offering exceptional visibility into future cash flows. With full-year guidance reaffirmed, including expected revenue of $73.75$74.75 billion, EPS of $27.00$27.30, and free cash flow of $6.6$6.8 billion, management is signaling continued confidence in operational execution despite recent margin compression and cost headwinds.
I have listed down few of the key growth drivers below which should help the company achieve its full year's growth guidance:
Hypersonic and Precision Weapon Systems
Lockheed is expanding its lead in next-generation missile technology. Programs such as the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM), Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), and Hypersonic Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) are seeing strong demand. The recent $17 billion Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) contract for homeland missile defense further cements Lockheed's position in the strategic deterrence space.
Space Sector Expansion
Lockheed is actively diversifying into civil, defense, and commercial space systems. Notable achievements include the Artemis II Orion spacecraft delivery for NASA and continued development of Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) satellites. As global interest in space-based defense and surveillance increases, Lockheed's space segmentthough experiencing near-term softnesscould rebound as new programs ramp up. Space investments also serve as a hedge against potential stagnation in traditional defense segments.
Digital and Cyber Transformation
Defense is undergoing a digital revolution, and Lockheed is investing heavily in artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, digital twin technology, and integrated software-defined platforms. As battlefield technologies shift towards network-centric warfare and multi-domain operations, Lockheed's digital capabilities (e.g., in Project Hydra, Joint All-Domain Command and Control - JADC2) are gaining strategic relevance.
International Expansion
Approximately 30% of Lockheed's backlog is tied to international customers, with recent wins in Europe, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific. Major deals like the $142 billion U.S.-Saudi arms package bolster near- and medium-term visibility. NATO member countries, including Poland, Finland, and Germany, are increasing their defense procurement budgets, providing Lockheed opportunities to scale platforms such as HIMARS, PAC-3, and the F-35.Despite these healthy tailwinds there are certain near-term risks that require close attention. These include:Cash Flow Timing and Volatility
Although full-year free cash flow is projected at $6.6$6.8 billion, quarterly variability remains a concern. Management flagged potential delays in F-35-related cash inflows into Q3 2025, which could weigh on second-quarter results. Additionally, higher software expenditures and the timing of milestone payments are introducing fluctuations in operating cash flow, making quarter-to-quarter performance less predictable.
The U.S. Defense Budget Dependency
Lockheed earns approximately 75% of its revenue from the U.S. Department of Defense. Any shift in congressional appropriations, continuing resolution scenarios, or defense reprioritization (e.g., pivot to naval or cyber capabilities) could impact future contract awards. While international diversification is progressing, the company remains exposed to political and fiscal decisions in Washington.
Regulatory, Geopolitical, and Supply Chain Headwinds
Operating in more than 70 countries, Lockheed must navigate complex regulatory frameworks and compliance requirements. Export restrictions, such as China's 2024 ban on critical minerals, can disrupt production timelines for advanced systems. Sanctions, export license delays, or geopolitical fallout in key regions like the Middle East or Indo-Pacific could delay deliveries or impact deal pipelines.
F-35 Program: Volume Contraction and Revenue Implications
The F-35 Lightning II, Lockheed Martin's flagship fifth-generation fighter jet program, remains a core revenue contributor across its Aeronautics segment, accounting for approximately 2527% of total company revenue in recent years. In 2023, Lockheed delivered 156 F-35 units, aligning with the program's multi-year production peak. However, guidance for 2025 and beyond indicates a significant step-down in annual delivery volumes to just 7590 jets per yeara nearly 4050% decline from 2023 levels.
This contraction poses a material revenue headwind, particularly considering that the F-35 program drives not only platform sales but also long-term aftermarket services, sustainment, and upgrade packages. At current volume and pricing assumptions, this reduction could place 68% of total company revenue at risk over the next 1218 months, depending on unit mix and international contract offsets.
While deliveries are being adjusted due to software integration delays, evolving procurement schedules, and changing defense priorities, the reduction reflects the natural maturation of the program. However, it underscores Lockheed's increasing need to backfill this volume with new contract wins and modernization efforts elsewhere in its portfolioparticularly as competition intensifies in the next-generation air domain.
NGAD: Delayed Ramp in a Critical Transition Phase
The Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program is widely viewed as the long-term successor to fifth-generation aircraft like the F-35. Designed to introduce sixth-generation capabilities such as manned-unmanned teaming, advanced stealth, and AI-enabled mission systems, NGAD is expected to redefine future air superiority. However, the program is still in its early development phases. During the Q2 2024 earnings call, Lockheed Martin management emphasized that NGAD is not expected to scale operationally before 2030, with meaningful production volumes unlikely until the early 2030s.
This extended timeline creates a transitional gap in high-margin fighter jet production, during which Lockheed must maintain industrial capability and cost discipline without the financial tailwind of scaled NGAD contracts. The company's recent loss of the $20 billion NGAD contract to Boeing further complicates this transition, highlighting competitive pressure in the next-generation airframe space and raising questions about Lockheed's share of future Air Force and allied procurement cycles.
In this context, Lockheed's near-term growth narrative hinges more on diversificationparticularly in hypersonics, missile defense, space systems, and classified development programsthan on major airframe platforms. While NGAD presents a long-term opportunity, the medium-term outlook may involve revenue friction as the company navigates a post-F-35 production trough with fewer near-term substitutes of similar scale.
Lockheed Martin reported a Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) of 15.8% in 2023, a figure that reflects both its operational efficiency and disciplined capital allocation. While this trails Northrop Grumman's 18.2%, it stands comfortably ahead of General Dynamics' 12.4%, positioning Lockheed as a top-tier performer within the U.S. defense contractor landscape.A significant driver of Lockheed's ROIC strength is the F-35 Lightning II program, which benefits from mature economies of scale across production, sustainment, and international sales.
With over 990 aircraft delivered as of early 2025 and a vast global operator base, the program generates not just high-volume unit sales but also a durable aftermarket and upgrade ecosystem, contributing to long-term capital efficiency. However, with F-35 production volumes forecasted to decline in the coming years, Lockheed's ability to maintain high ROIC will increasingly depend on how it leverages new technologies and platforms, including hypersonics, missile defense, and space systems.
By contrast, Northrop Grumman's higher ROIC reflects the margin-rich nature of its classified programs, which often carry lower competition, higher barriers to entry, and more stable cost structures due to unique mission requirements. Meanwhile, General Dynamics' lower ROIC is largely a function of its capital-intensive investments in nuclear submarine construction, where margins are solid but constrained by long build cycles and rigid pricing frameworks.
Overall, Lockheed's 15.8% ROIC signals a well-balanced approach to profitability and reinvestment, grounded in proven platforms and scale advantages. As it transitions into a more diversified portfolio, particularly in space and emerging technologies, sustaining this capital efficiency will be key to preserving its premium valuation and long-term investor confidence.
Lockheed Martin recently declared a second-quarter 2025 dividend of $3.30 per share, maintaining its impressive 22-year streak of consecutive annual dividend increases. At a stock price of approximately $448 (as of mid-May 2025), this represents an annualized dividend yield of around 2.95%, offering a compelling income proposition in a volatile macro environment. The strength of Lockheed's dividend policy is underpinned by robust free cash flow generationprojected at $6.6 to $6.8 billion for full-year 2025. With capital expenditures estimated at $1.9 billion, the company maintains a healthy free cash flow payout ratio of roughly 2930%, leaving enough room for continued shareholder returns through both dividends and opportunistic share repurchases.
Over the past several months, notable institutional investors have trimmed their positions in Lockheed Martin, signaling a more cautious stance. Donald Yacktman's funds, which have historically been long-term holders of high-quality businesses, have reduced their exposure across the board: the Yacktman Focused Fund (Trades, Portfolio) cut its stake by 14.5%, the Yacktman Fund (Trades, Portfolio) by 6.25%, and Yacktman Asset Management (Trades, Portfolio) by 7.55%. Additionally, other prominent investors such as Ken Fisher (Trades, Portfolio) and Joel Greenblatt (Trades, Portfolio) reduced their holdings by 4.77% and a significant 29.38%, respectively. While these moves may reflect individual portfolio strategies or rebalancing, the broader trend suggests increasing investor cautionpossibly tied to recent concerns over margin compression, competitive headwinds, cash flow variability, and missed high-profile contract awards like the NGAD program.Valuation & Conclusion
Lockheed Martin's stock currently trades at a forward P/E of 17.1x FY25 earnings and 15.7x FY26 earnings, slightly below its five-year average of 17.1x, indicating a fair to modest valuation relative to historical norms. While the company may not deliver rapid capital appreciation, its appeal lies in a different value proposition: stability, reliable dividend income, and consistent growth tied to global defense tailwinds. This is not a momentum play, but a long-term anchor in portfolios seeking quality and durability. Despite near-term concerns such as cash flow timing issues, margin pressure, and increased competition these challenges are largely cyclical and do not overshadow Lockheed's foundational strengths. With a $173 billion backlog, multi-year contracts, deep integration with the U.S. Department of Defense, expanding international exposure, and sustained investment in next-generation technologies, Lockheed Martin remains a critical pillar of the global security ecosystem. For long-term investors, Lockheed Martin offers more than just equity exposure, it provides reliability.
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
