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Lockheed Martin Corp.: Q4 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 29 January 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 12 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Fourth-quarter sales rose 9%: Fourth-quarter sales were $20.3 billion, up from $18.6 billion a year earlier. Full-year 2025 sales rose 6% to $75.0 billion. Source
  • Full-year net earnings declined: 2025 net earnings were $5.0 billion, or $21.49 per share, down from $5.3 billion, or $22.31 per share, in 2024. Source
  • Aeronautics full-year profit fell 17%: Aeronautics 2025 operating profit fell 17% to $2.1 billion, with margin of 6.9% against 8.8%. The decline came mainly from lower profit rate adjustments, including $395 million of net classified-contract losses. Source
  • F-35 volume lifted Aeronautics sales: Full-year Aeronautics sales rose $1.6 billion, led by $1.9 billion more F-35 sales from higher production and sustainment volume, partly offset by $215 million less classified sales. Source
  • Segment margin rose sharply: Business segment operating margin was 10.1% in the fourth quarter against 2.3% a year earlier, and 9.0% for 2025 against 8.6%. Source
  • Backlog reached a record at year end: Management described year-end backlog as a record, following the prior year-end level shown in the operating information table. Source
  • Seven-year PAC-3 framework agreement: Management cited a landmark seven-year framework agreement for PAC-3 missiles, early in the first quarter, under the Department of War's Acquisition Transformation Strategy. Source
  • 2026 sales and profit growth: Management expects 2026 sales to rise about 5% and reported segment operating profit about 25% year over year, with free cash flow of $6.5 billion to $6.8 billion. Source

“With a record $194 billion backlog, 6% year-over-year sales growth, and free cash flow generation above our prior expectation, 2025 marked a year of unprecedented demand for Lockheed Martin capabilities.”

Lockheed Martin Chairman, President and CEO Jim Taiclet

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Sales Source2026$77,500 - $80,000New
Sales growth Source2026 compared with 2025approximately 5%New
Business segment operating profit Source2026$8,425 - $8,675New
Reported segment operating profit growth Source2026 compared with 2025approximately 25%New
Consolidated operating profit (GAAP) Source2026$9,435 - $9,685New
FAS/CAS operating adjustment Source2026~1,685New
Intangible asset amortization expense Source2026~(200)New
Other, net (unallocated) Source2026~(475)New
Total FAS/CAS pension adjustment Source2026~$1,365New
Diluted earnings per share Source2026$29.35 - $30.25New
Cash from operations Source2026$9,150 - $9,450New
Capital expenditures Source2026$2,500 - $2,800New
Free cash flow Source2026$6,500 - $6,800Raised

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: First 2026 guidance given for sales, segment operating profit, EPS, cash from operations, capital expenditures and free cash flow. Source
  • Guidance raised: Free cash flow range for 2026 described as an increase over management's prior expectation. Source
  • New: Company reported a landmark seven-year framework agreement for PAC-3 missiles, early in the first quarter of 2026, with contract definitization still to come. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Fourth-quarter sales rose 9%: Fourth-quarter sales were $20.3 billion, up from $18.6 billion a year earlier. Full-year 2025 sales rose 6% to $75.0 billion. Source
  • Fourth-quarter net earnings higher: Fourth-quarter net earnings were $1.3 billion, or $5.80 per share, against $527 million, or $2.22 per share, in the prior-year quarter, which included $1.7 billion of classified program losses. Source
  • Full-year net earnings declined: 2025 net earnings were $5.0 billion, or $21.49 per share, down from $5.3 billion, or $22.31 per share, in 2024. Source
  • Fourth-quarter free cash flow rose: Fourth-quarter free cash flow was $2.8 billion after an $860 million pension contribution, versus $441 million in the prior-year quarter after a $990 million contribution. Source

Segments and operating profit

  • Missiles and Fire Control sales grew: MFC sales rose 18% in the fourth quarter and 14% for 2025, to $14.5 billion. Operating profit was $1.99 billion, against $413 million, after 2024 classified losses. Source
  • Aeronautics full-year profit fell 17%: Aeronautics 2025 operating profit fell 17% to $2.1 billion, with margin of 6.9% against 8.8%. The decline came mainly from lower profit rate adjustments, including $395 million of net classified-contract losses. Source
  • Aeronautics fourth-quarter profit rose: Aeronautics fourth-quarter operating profit rose 80% to $782 million, a 9.2% margin against 5.4%, against 2024 classified-contract losses of $410 million. Source
  • Rotary and Mission Systems profit fell: RMS 2025 operating profit fell 31% to $1.3 billion, mainly on reach-forward losses on CMHP and TUHP recognized in the second quarter of 2025. Fourth-quarter RMS sales rose 8%. Source
  • Space profit rose on booking adjustments: Space 2025 operating profit rose 10% to $1.3 billion, mainly on higher profit booking rate adjustments from favorable performance on certain commercial civil space programs. Source

“This notable start to 2026 reinforces our confidence in Lockheed Martin’s continued operational and financial growth in the year ahead.”

Lockheed Martin Chairman, President and CEO Jim Taiclet

Products, programs and deliveries

  • F-35 volume lifted Aeronautics sales: Full-year Aeronautics sales rose $1.6 billion, led by $1.9 billion more F-35 sales from higher production and sustainment volume, partly offset by $215 million less classified sales. Source
  • Missile production ramp continued: MFC production ramp-up added $1.4 billion of 2025 sales on tactical and strike missiles, and $450 million on PAC-3 integrated air and missile defense programs. Source
  • F-35 deliveries lower in fourth quarter: F-35 deliveries were 48 in the fourth quarter, against 62 a year earlier, and 191 for 2025 against 110 in 2024. Government helicopter deliveries rose to 35 from 25 in the quarter. Source
  • Black Hawk production lifted helicopter sales: Fourth-quarter RMS sales rose $355 million, including $145 million on Sikorsky helicopter programs from higher Black Hawk production, and $225 million on IWSS programs. Source
  • Products cited in recent military operation: Management said F-35 and F-22 jets, RQ-170 stealth drones and Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopters were decisive contributors to a recent U.S. military operation. Source

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Segment margin rose sharply: Business segment operating margin was 10.1% in the fourth quarter against 2.3% a year earlier, and 9.0% for 2025 against 8.6%. Source
  • Booking-rate adjustments added profit: Net profit booking rate adjustments added about $275 million to fourth-quarter segment operating profit and $75 million for 2025, net of $950 million of Aeronautics classified losses and $570 million on CMHP at RMS. Source
  • Pension transfer added non-cash charge: A non-operational charge of $479 million, or $377 million after tax, came with the December 2025 transfer of $943 million of gross pension obligations and plan assets to insurers. Source
  • Fourth-quarter tax rate higher: Effective tax rate was 12.2% in the fourth quarter against (1.5)% a year earlier. Management attributed the rise to the Tax Act, partly offset by a $109 million IRS audit benefit. Source
  • Black Hawk adjustments reduced RMS profit: RMS fourth-quarter operating profit fell 9% to $468 million, against $513 million a year earlier, mainly on unfavorable profit adjustments on Black Hawk programs. Source

Demand and the order book

  • Backlog reached a record at year end: Management described year-end backlog as a record, following the prior year-end level shown in the operating information table. Source
  • Aeronautics backlog declined: Aeronautics backlog was $59.4 billion at Dec. 31, 2025, down from $62.8 billion a year earlier. Source
  • Missiles, RMS and Space backlog grew: MFC backlog rose to $46.7 billion from $38.8 billion, RMS to $47.7 billion from $38.1 billion, and Space to $39.8 billion from $36.4 billion. Source

Capital, cash and shareholder returns

  • Full-year cash generation: Full-year cash from operations was $8.6 billion and free cash flow $6.9 billion, both after the pension contribution that fulfilled the 2026 obligation. Source
  • Working capital and tax timing: Cash from operations rose mainly on working capital, including timing of accounts payable and RMS contract liabilities, and on lower tax payments under the Tax Act. Source
  • Capital spending and research: Capital expenditures were $463 million in the fourth quarter and $1.6 billion for 2025. Independent research and development was $665 million in the quarter and $2.0 billion for the year. Source
  • Shareholder returns in 2025: Repurchases were $3.0 billion for 6.6 million shares in 2025, including $750 million for 1.6 million shares in the fourth quarter. Dividends were $3.1 billion, and scheduled debt repayments $642 million. Source

Strategy and investment

  • Seven-year PAC-3 framework agreement: Management cited a landmark seven-year framework agreement for PAC-3 missiles, early in the first quarter, under the Department of War's Acquisition Transformation Strategy. Source
  • Government and industry working model: Management said it has long advocated a new way of doing business between government and industry, and is well positioned to perform under the Department of War's strategy. Source
  • Capacity and technology investment: The company invested more than $3.5 billion in 2025 in production capacity and next-generation technologies, which management described as disciplined capital allocation. Source

2026 guidance assumptions

  • 2026 sales and profit growth: Management expects 2026 sales to rise about 5% and reported segment operating profit about 25% year over year, with free cash flow of $6.5 billion to $6.8 billion. Source
  • Shutdowns and executive orders excluded: The 2026 figures exclude possible effects of a government shutdown and Executive Orders, and proposed deals, changes in law or new accounting standards until consummated, enacted or adopted. Source
  • 2026 pension adjustment versus 2025: Total FAS/CAS pension adjustment is about $1,365 million for 2026, against $1,123 million adjusted for 2025, which excludes the $479 million settlement charge. Source
  • Reporting weeks in 2026 quarters: 2026 quarters have 12, 13, 13 and 14 weeks, against 13 weeks in each 2025 quarter. The company notes week counts may vary slightly. Source

Coming up, as management said on 29 January 2026

  • PAC-3 contract definitization: Management looks forward to working with the DoW and Congress to definitize the PAC-3 contract and move to the new acquisition framework. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Total backlog Source$193,622 million at Dec. 31, 2025; $176,040 million at Dec. 31, 2024
F-35 aircraft deliveries Source48 in Q4 2025 (62 in Q4 2024); 191 for 2025 (110 in 2024)
F-16 aircraft deliveries Source4 in Q4 2025 (7 in Q4 2024); 16 for 2025 (16 in 2024)
Government helicopter program deliveries Source35 in Q4 2025 (25 in Q4 2024); 90 for 2025 (72 in 2024)

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: Fourth-quarter RMS booking rate adjustments were lower, mainly from unfavorable Black Hawk profit adjustments. Source
  • Operational: Reach-forward losses on a classified Aeronautics contract reduced 2025 profit, with a net impact of $395 million after the 2024 comparison. Source
  • Financial: Fourth-quarter Space equity earnings from the ULA joint venture were lower, reducing Space operating profit by $20 million. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Ahead: Management said 2025 free cash flow generation came in above its prior expectation. Source
  • Met: The $860 million pension contribution made in 2025 was described as fulfilling the 2026 obligation. Source
  • Not stated: The prior release said a conversion may be executed as early as Q4 2025; the current release reports a $943 million transfer in December 2025.

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.