Leidos Raises 2026 Profit Forecast Amid Strong Demand
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 05 2026
0mins
Source: Newsfilter
Leidos Holdings Inc. experienced a decline of 3.17% in its stock price, hitting a 52-week low amid broader market gains with the Nasdaq-100 up 0.29% and the S&P 500 up 0.34%.
The company raised its 2026 adjusted profit forecast to a range of $12.10 to $12.50 per share, reflecting strong confidence in future profitability. Additionally, Leidos secured an $869 million contract with the U.S. Army to develop AI-enabled systems, further solidifying its position in the defense sector. This positive news contrasts with the stock's decline, indicating sector rotation as investors shift focus.
Despite the stock's drop, the raised guidance and strong contract awards suggest a robust outlook for Leidos, driven by increasing demand in military and intelligence services.
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Analyst Views on LDOS
Wall Street analysts forecast LDOS stock price to rise
11 Analyst Rating
7 Buy
4 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 131.590
Low
178.00
Averages
219.70
High
235.00
Current: 131.590
Low
178.00
Averages
219.70
High
235.00
About LDOS
Leidos Holdings, Inc. is a holding company, which operates through its wholly owned subsidiary, Leidos, Inc. (Leidos). The Company's segments include National Security & Digital, Health & Civil, Commercial & International and Defense Systems. Its National Security & Digital business provides technologically advanced services, solutions and products, as well as mission software capabilities for defense and intelligence customers in the areas of cyber, logistics, security operations and decision analytics. Its Health & Civil business provides services and solutions to federal and commercial customers in the areas of public health, care coordination, life and environmental sciences and transportation. Its Commercial & International business delivers a portfolio of products, services, and solutions aimed at securing national assets, modernizing energy and critical infrastructure, and enhancing mission outcomes. The Company serves government and commercial customers.
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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- Emerging Investment Opportunities: With the increase in defense spending, companies like Leidos and Kraken Robotics are seen as potential investment opportunities, particularly in the fields of drones and hypersonic technology, which could yield substantial returns for investors.
See More
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- Market Underestimation: Despite Leidos trading at a low P/E ratio of 11.5, indicating market undervaluation, the company's stock buybacks and steady business growth, combined with potential developments in hypersonic technology, suggest it could be a “hidden gem” for investors.
See More
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- Contract Scale: This contract is a multiple-award indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract with a total ceiling value of $10 billion, although individual task order values remain undisclosed, providing Leidos with substantial revenue potential.
- Technical Support: Leidos will focus on cloud and data center services, application development, network and telecommunications services, and customer support, aiming to enhance the State Department's cybersecurity, modernize applications and infrastructure, and ensure the security of diplomatic operations.
- Strategic Significance: The awards not only add to Leidos' backlog of federal IT modernization and cybersecurity work but also align with U.S. government priorities in addressing rising cyber threats and migrating to cloud systems, highlighting the company's strategic importance in an increasingly technology-driven environment.
See More
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See More
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- Testing and Evaluation Plan: The agreements outline an experimentation campaign set to begin in mid-2026, with test missiles acquired from participating companies, and the results will inform formal military assessments that will influence full-scale procurement decisions, ensuring alignment with military demand.
- New Industry Participation Model: Some participating companies are expected to reach production scale through private capital investment rather than direct government funding, marking a shift in defense procurement models aimed at accelerating weapons development and procurement processes.
- Industrial Capacity Enhancement: This initiative is part of a broader effort to increase U.S. munitions production capacity, focusing on creating a flexible industrial base capable of scaling output during periods of heightened demand, reflecting the Pentagon's ongoing interest in leveraging commercial manufacturing approaches.
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