Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT) Up 7.3% — Should I Catch This Wave?
Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT) surged in today’s session, posting a strong advance of 7.26% and gaining $43.36 to close at $640.63 on the NYSE. This marks a decisive bullish move from the prior close of $597.27, signaling robust upside momentum and putting the stock firmly in rally mode. The sharp climb pushed shares well past their previous 52-week high of $599.32 set on Jan. 28, 2026, extending the stock’s breakout zone by more than $40. Price action of this magnitude underscores strong performance and places LMT in a clear leadership position within its segment of the industrials landscape.
Trading activity was solid, with volume of 896,948 shares changing hands. While this is below the 90-day average volume of 1,499,664 shares, the size of the price move suggests buyers remained firmly in control throughout the session even without a surge in trading activity. From a relative standpoint, LMT’s advance appears notably stronger than the more moderate, incremental moves typically seen in sector peers such as Deere & Company (DE), Honeywell International Inc. (HON), and AB Volvo (VOLVF). With shares breaking out to fresh highs and extending their lead over prior resistance levels, the current trend reflects a strong, bullish tone, with LMT gaining ground and reinforcing its status as one of the more aggressively advancing names in its peer group.
Why Lockheed Martin Corporation Price is Moving Higher
Lockheed Martin’s sharp move higher is being fueled by a combination of powerful fundamental and sentiment-driven catalysts. The stock has climbed 20.44% over the past month, vastly outpacing the broader market as investors position for increased U.S. defense spending amid elevated global tensions. This macro backdrop reinforces Lockheed’s role as a prime contractor with a sizable, visible backlog and a robust F-35 delivery pipeline, supporting confidence in its revenue trajectory. Recent 8.8% revenue growth and ongoing profitability help validate the view that current geopolitical dynamics are translating into tangible business momentum rather than just speculative enthusiasm.
Wall Street actions have reinforced this bullish tone. Robert W. Baird’s price target hike from $550 to $640 with an “outperform” rating signaled conviction that defense budget tailwinds can sustain higher valuations. JPMorgan’s target increase from $465 to $515, even with a “neutral” stance, underscored improving expectations for long-term spending. On the commercial side, Mexico’s decision to acquire its first C-130J-30 Super Hercules—also a first for Latin America—adds incremental visibility and showcases international demand for Lockheed’s airlift platform. Technically, the stock’s push to fresh 52-week highs, including a 15.3% gain in just the past week, has attracted additional momentum-oriented buyers. This combination of solid earnings power, growing top line, supportive defense trends and upward analyst revisions is driving the recent upside and sustaining positive investor sentiment, even as the market remains mindful of potential risks from cost overruns and political scrutiny.
What is the Lockheed Martin Corporation Rating - Should I Buy?
Weiss Ratings assigns LMT a C rating. Current recommendation is Hold. This places Lockheed Martin Corporation in the middle of our scale, indicating a balanced risk/reward profile rather than a clear Buy or Sell. For investors, that means LMT can play a role in a diversified portfolio, but it may not warrant aggressive accumulation at current levels without careful consideration of objectives and risk tolerance.
The standout strength in this evaluation is the Excellent Efficiency Index and Excellent Solvency Index. Lockheed Martin generates a very high return on equity of 62.78%, showing management has historically used shareholder capital effectively. Strong solvency further points to a solid financial footing, which can be especially valuable in the Industrials space, where long-cycle contracts and large capital commitments are common.
At the same time, the overall C (Hold) rating reflects meaningful trade-offs. The Fair Growth Index, Fair Volatility Index, and Fair Dividend Index show that while revenue is expanding at 8.80% and profit margin sits at 5.72%, these positives are tempered by a relatively full forward valuation with a P/E of 33.35. The Weak Total Return Index indicates that, after adjusting for risk, shareholders have not consistently been rewarded enough to justify a higher rating, despite recent price strength.
Within Industrials, Lockheed Martin’s C rating is broadly in line with peers such as GE Vernova Inc. (GEV, C) and AB Volvo (publ) (VOLVF, C), and slightly below Deere & Company (DE, C+) and Honeywell International Inc. (HON, C+). For investors seeking quality and financial strength but wary of overpaying, LMT looks like a solid, but not compelling, core Hold pending better entry points or improving return metrics.
About Lockheed Martin Corporation
Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT) is a leading global security and aerospace company operating at the intersection of advanced technology and defense. Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, the company focuses on the research, design, and manufacture of technologically sophisticated systems for government and commercial customers worldwide. Its core business areas include Aeronautics, Rotary and Mission Systems, Missiles and Fire Control, and Space, giving it a broad footprint across critical segments of the Industrials and Capital Goods landscape.
In Aeronautics, Lockheed Martin is best known for its advanced military aircraft, including the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet program, which serves as a cornerstone platform for multiple allied air forces. The Rotary and Mission Systems segment delivers integrated naval systems, radar, cybersecurity solutions, and rotary-wing platforms, providing mission-critical capabilities across air, land, sea, and cyber domains. Through Missiles and Fire Control, the company supplies precision strike systems, air and missile defense solutions, and fire control technologies that support both strategic deterrence and tactical operations.
Lockheed Martin’s Space segment enhances its competitive position with satellite systems, strategic and missile defense programs, and space exploration technologies. Across these business areas, the company benefits from long-term government contracts, deep engineering expertise, and complex program management capabilities. Its role as a prime contractor on major defense and aerospace programs reinforces its standing as a key partner to U.S. and allied defense agencies, supporting a durable position within the global security and aerospace industry.
Investor Outlook
With Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT) currently holding a C (Hold) Weiss Rating, the stock appears positioned for potential continued gains if recent momentum is confirmed by follow-through buying and stable broader defense spending trends. Investors may want to watch how the shares behave around recent upside levels and monitor any changes in the overall rating that reflect shifts in risk or operational performance. See full rankings of all C-rated Industrials stocks inside the Weiss Stock Screener.
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