Topic: How To Invest

Pat: What is your opinion on Lockheed Martin Corp.? Thanks.

Article Excerpt

Lockheed Martin Corp., $189.85, symbol LMT on New York (Shares outstanding: 315.9 million; Market cap: $60.0 billion; www.lockheedmartin.com), is the world’s largest defence contractor. In 2013, the U.S. government supplied 82% of its revenue. Lockheed has five divisions: Aeronautics (32% of revenue) makes and services military aircraft, including the F-16, F-22 and F-35 fighter jets, as well as C-130 transport planes; Space Systems (18%) makes rockets and satellites; Information Systems and Global Solutions (18%) offers data and audio/visual communication systems for governments and corporate clients; Missiles and Fire Control (17%) makes ballistic missiles and laser-guided bombs, as well as control systems for nuclear-powered vessels and nuclear plants; Mission Systems and Training (15%) offers control systems for military aircraft and ships. It also makes flight simulators and other training gear. In the three months ended September 28, 2014, Lockheed’s revenue fell 2.1%, to $11.1 billion from $11.3 billion a year earlier. That’s mainly because the U.S. government has cut defence spending in response to its rising budget…