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The share worth of the UK’s largest defence contractor, BAE Techniques (LSE: BA.), suffered minor losses this morning (19 February) after posting its full-year 2024 outcomes.
It had began the 12 months with distinctive progress, up 16% year-to-date when markets opened on Monday this week. Then this morning it introduced its full-year 2024 outcomes. Regardless of sturdy gross sales and income, some figures missed analyst expectations.
Although the information was optimistic general with a rise in money movement steering, the shares slipped 3% in early morning buying and selling.
The numbers
Right this moment’s earnings report lined the 12-month interval ending 31 December 2024. The corporate reported sturdy efficiency with each gross sales and income up 14% to £28.3bn and £26.3bn, respectively.
Underlying earnings per share (EPS) elevated 10% to 68.5p (from 63.2p) and working revenue grew 4%. Underlying earnings earlier than curiosity and tax (EBIT) additionally elevated 14% to £3.2bn.
The ultimate dividend introduced for the 12 months was elevated by 11% from 18.5p to 20.6p, bringing the entire annual dividend as much as 33p, a ten% acquire from 30p in 2023. With a historical past of dependable dividend funds, the yield of two.4% makes it a beautiful choice for income-focused traders like me.
Analysts anticipate continued gross sales progress of between 7% to 9% and underlying EBIT progress of 8% to 10%. That is primarily based on an expectation of accelerating demand for defence techniques.
Enterprise developments
BAE lately secured a $251m contract to help the US Navy’s AEGIS Fight System, one other gold star for its spectacular portfolio of world defence tasks. With defence budgets on the rise worldwide, such contracts assist guarantee the corporate is well-positioned for long-term progress.
The brand new take care of the US Navy is simply the newest in a collection of wins. The deal grants BAE rights to offer crucial engineering and technical companies for the AEGIS system, a key part of US naval operations. Together with different important contracts secured in late 2024, it reinforces an already complete order backlog, promising income for years to come back.
Elements that would hinder progress
No funding is with out threat, and BAE is not any exception. A change in authorities defence budgets, provide chain disruptions or an increase in geopolitical tensions may impression its efficiency. It’s additionally prone to dropping contracts to US-based rivals like Lockheed Martin or Northrop Grumman.
In contrast to BAE, these firms have suffered inventory declines for the reason that US election following an expectation of decrease defence spending. This might result in them competing extra aggressively for EU-based contracts, threatening BAE’s future income.
Whereas its valuation nonetheless appears to be like good, it may very well be shifting towards overbought territory. The share worth has been hovering in current months, so its price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, at 21.8, is barely above the UK market common. This might restrict the potential for additional capital appreciation, regardless of forecasts predicting earnings progress of 8.2% per 12 months going ahead.
Nonetheless, its diversified portfolio and international presence present some cushion towards these dangers.
With a robust begin to 2025, high-profile contracts and optimistic analyst sentiment, I consider BAE stays a inventory price contemplating this 12 months. Its defensive nature provides stability to my portfolio and after as we speak’s optimistic outcomes, I plan to proceed including to my holdings in 2025.
