Pentagon's $200 Billion Budget Request for Iran War Funding May Change
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 19 2026
0mins
Source: CNBC
- Budget Request Dynamics: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated that the Pentagon's $200 billion budget request for the Iran war may change, reflecting a flexible approach to funding needs.
- Current War Costs: As of March 19, U.S. military operations against Iran have already incurred costs of $12 billion, highlighting the rapid escalation of war expenditures that could influence future budget decisions.
- Congressional Funding Assurance: Hegseth emphasized the need to communicate with Congress to ensure adequate funding for military operations, indicating the government's reliance on congressional support for ongoing military efforts.
- Economic Advisor's Perspective: Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, stated that he does not believe additional funding from Congress is necessary at this time, suggesting that the current budget may suffice to support ongoing military actions.
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Analyst Views on LMT
Wall Street analysts forecast LMT stock price to fall
12 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
7 Hold
1 Sell
Hold
Current: 615.840
Low
430.00
Averages
535.50
High
605.00
Current: 615.840
Low
430.00
Averages
535.50
High
605.00
About LMT
Lockheed Martin Corporation is a global aerospace and defense company. The Company is engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. Its segments include Aeronautics, Missiles and Fire Control (MFC), Rotary and Mission Systems (RMS) and Space. Aeronautics segment is engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, sustainment, support and upgrade of advanced military aircraft. MFC segment provides air and missile defense systems, manned and unmanned ground vehicles, energy management solutions, and others. RMS segment designs, manufactures, services and supports various military and commercial helicopters, surface ships, sea and land-based missile defense systems, and others. Its Space segment is engaged in the research and design, development, engineering and production of satellites, space transportation systems, and strategic, advanced strike, and defensive systems.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Massive Backlog: The company has a backlog of $194 billion, reflecting strong market demand that is expected to support future revenue growth, particularly with the anticipated increase in defense spending.
- Stable Dividend Yield: Lockheed's dividend yield stands at 2.2%, appealing to investors seeking stable growth and income, even though the recent rise in stock price has made shares more expensive.
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- Strong Sales Growth: Lockheed Martin reported a 6% sales growth in Q4 2025 and anticipates similar growth in 2026, indicating robust performance amid market volatility and uncertainty.
- Massive Backlog: The company has a backlog of $194 billion, reflecting strong market demand that is expected to support future revenue growth, particularly with the anticipated increase in defense spending.
- Stable Dividend Yield: Lockheed's dividend yield stands at 2.2%, appealing to investors seeking stable growth and income, even though the recent rise in stock price has made shares more expensive.
- Valuation Risks Emerging: Despite the optimistic outlook, the stock's P/E ratio nearing 30 and market capitalization increasing from $104 billion to $144 billion suggest potential overvaluation risks, necessitating careful evaluation by investors.
See More
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- Data-Driven Success Model: Swarmer CEO Alex Fink emphasizes that data collection and AI model improvement are the company's core competitive advantages, which are expected to drive long-term success in the market, especially against large defense firms.
- Market Position and Backlog: With a current market capitalization of under $500 million and a contracted backlog of $16.3 million, Swarmer's rapid growth potential has garnered market attention despite the vast valuation gap with Lockheed Martin and RTX.
- Software Interoperability Advantage: Fink highlights that Swarmer's software is designed to work across multiple hardware platforms, allowing for a vendor-agnostic model that distinguishes it from traditional defense models that often lock customers into a single ecosystem.
- Drone Control Technology: Swarmer focuses on developing software that enables a single operator to control dozens or hundreds of drones simultaneously, and despite facing structural advantages from established defense contractors, it has successfully executed over 100,000 missions since its first combat deployment in Ukraine.
See More
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- Launch Plan Changes: NASA is revising its future lunar mission plans, potentially halting the use of SLS rockets in favor of smaller rockets to launch the Orion spacecraft, which could result in Boeing facing losses of tens of billions in revenue.
- Cost Efficiency Analysis: The new plan involves docking Orion with SpaceX's HLS in Earth orbit, reducing reliance on SLS, with Boeing's launch fee dropping from $3 billion to approximately $110 million, significantly diminishing Boeing's revenue potential from the Artemis project.
- Increased Market Competition: Should NASA no longer require Orion, SpaceX's Crew Dragon could take its place, further undermining Lockheed Martin's market position and potentially leading to the loss of contracts with NASA.
- Strategic Adjustment Motivation: Under the leadership of new NASA head Jared Isaacman, the agency aims to achieve sustainable lunar missions through cost reduction, a strategic shift that will negatively impact shareholders of Boeing and Lockheed Martin.
See More
U.S. Military Deployment Dynamics in the Middle East
- Middle East Military Deployment: The deployment of U.S. troops, particularly the 31st and 11th Marine Expeditionary Units and the 82nd Airborne, aims to provide President Trump with more options regarding a potential ground invasion of Iran and control over Kharg Island, highlighting growing concerns about America's military presence worldwide.
- German Political Shift: The AfD, Germany's second-largest party, has called for the withdrawal of approximately 40,000 U.S. troops and nuclear weapons, emphasizing the need for a more independent foreign policy, reflecting a growing sentiment in Europe against U.S. military interventions and a reevaluation of national security.
- NATO Funding Model Changes: Reports indicate the White House is considering a
See More
NASA's Moon Mission Plan Changes Impact Boeing's Revenue Prospects
- Moon Mission Plan Changes: NASA has decided to launch the Orion spacecraft atop a smaller rocket starting with Artemis VI, replacing Boeing's SLS, which will drastically reduce Boeing's revenue from approximately $3 billion per mission to about $110 million.
- Diminished Revenue Outlook for Boeing: Boeing initially expected to share in $82 billion from the Artemis project, but the new plan significantly cuts its revenue potential, potentially leading to substantial financial strain over the coming years.
- Increased Market Competition: As NASA seeks more economical solutions, companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin may capture a larger share of launch contracts, further undermining Boeing and Lockheed Martin's market positions.
- Technical Compatibility Challenges: The Orion spacecraft will require modifications to be compatible with the new rockets, increasing R&D costs and timelines, even as NASA's new leadership aims to lower costs to ensure the success of lunar missions.
See More
Lockheed Martin Corporation Stock Analysis
- Dividend Performance: Lockheed Martin has delivered dividends for 23 consecutive years, with a five-year growth rate of 36%, indicating the company's ability to provide stable long-term income supported by free cash flow, enhancing its appeal as a core investment.
- Financial Stability: Over the past decade, the company's revenue has grown from approximately $47 billion to $75 billion, with profits consistently ranging from $5 billion to $7 billion, and while debt levels are elevated, they remain stable, demonstrating financial strength without jeopardizing dividends.
- Valuation Analysis: With a current P/E ratio of around 30, above the 10-year average of 21.5, Lockheed Martin is not historically cheap; however, compared to peers, its valuation appears reasonable, reflecting market recognition of its quality and durability.
- Market Outlook: Although near-term price appreciation may be limited and the dividend yield slightly below historical averages, the company's long-term cash generation and policy-driven dividend growth make it an ideal choice for investors seeking stable income and exposure to the strategic aerospace and defense sector.
See More
