AAR Corp. Rated Among Best Mid-Cap Defense Stocks
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 1 day ago
0mins
Should l Buy AIR?
Source: Yahoo Finance
- Price Target Increase: KeyBanc raised AAR Corp.'s stock price target from $120 to $132 while reiterating an Overweight rating, reflecting market confidence in the company's future growth prospects.
- Significant Order Growth: According to TipRanks, there has been a notable increase in aerospace OEM orders, with production levels stabilizing and supplier inventories indicating ongoing restocking, which will support future production growth.
- Defense Demand Outlook: Analyst Michael Leshock noted that while the conflict in the Middle East may boost defense demand, the resulting oil crisis could pressure air travel, highlighting the market's complexities.
- Substantial Contract Value: AAR Corp. recently secured two pallet contracts from the U.S. Air Force worth a combined $450 million, including a $160 million repair services agreement, showcasing the company's strong competitiveness in the defense sector.
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Analyst Views on AIR
Wall Street analysts forecast AIR stock price to fall
6 Analyst Rating
5 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 123.040
Low
99.00
Averages
106.80
High
121.00
Current: 123.040
Low
99.00
Averages
106.80
High
121.00
About AIR
AAR CORP. is a global aerospace and defense aftermarket solutions company with operations in over 20 countries. The Company supports commercial and government customers through four operating segments: Parts Supply, Repair & Engineering, Integrated Solutions, and Expeditionary Services. Parts Supply segment primarily consists of its sales of used serviceable material, including aircraft, engine and airframe parts and components and distribution of new parts. Repair & Engineering segment primarily consists of its maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services across airframes and components. Integrated Solutions segment primarily consists of its fleet management and operations of customer-owned aircraft, customized performance-based supply chain logistics programs and others. Expeditionary Services segment primarily consists of products and services supporting the movement of equipment and personnel by the United States and foreign governments and non-governmental organizations.
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.
- Price Target Increase: KeyBanc raised AAR Corp.'s stock price target from $120 to $132 while reiterating an Overweight rating, reflecting market confidence in the company's future growth prospects.
- Significant Order Growth: According to TipRanks, there has been a notable increase in aerospace OEM orders, with production levels stabilizing and supplier inventories indicating ongoing restocking, which will support future production growth.
- Defense Demand Outlook: Analyst Michael Leshock noted that while the conflict in the Middle East may boost defense demand, the resulting oil crisis could pressure air travel, highlighting the market's complexities.
- Substantial Contract Value: AAR Corp. recently secured two pallet contracts from the U.S. Air Force worth a combined $450 million, including a $160 million repair services agreement, showcasing the company's strong competitiveness in the defense sector.
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- Backlog Surge: Boeing's backlog has soared to $682 billion, encompassing over 6,100 commercial airplane orders, providing the company with excellent long-term revenue visibility and ensuring demand remains strong for the foreseeable future.
- Defense Contract Expansion: Boeing's new agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense to triple production of PAC-3 missile seeker components indicates a durable relationship with the government, likely to grow as defense spending continues to rise.
- Chinese Market Opportunity: Boeing is nearing a massive deal for 500 jets with China, which, if finalized, would be one of the largest in the company's history, highlighting its potential to regain market share internationally.
- Significant Financial Recovery: In 2025, Boeing's revenue reached $89.5 billion, a 34% year-over-year increase, with 600 commercial deliveries marking the highest total since 2018, and this recovery trend is expected to continue into 2026, aiding in debt reduction and rewarding patient investors.
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- Positive Cash Flow: Boeing's free cash flow swung from a loss of $12 billion to a positive $1.06 billion in 2025, indicating a significant financial recovery that is expected to continue into 2026, thereby aiding in debt reduction and rewarding patient investors.
- Massive Backlog: The company's backlog has reached an astonishing $682 billion, including over 6,100 commercial airplane orders, providing excellent long-term revenue visibility and indicating that demand is unlikely to wane anytime soon.
- Defense Contract Expansion: Boeing's new multi-year framework with the U.S. Department of Defense aims to triple production of PAC-3 missile seeker components, which not only signifies a durable relationship with the government but also suggests potential for further collaboration as defense spending increases.
- Chinese Market Opportunity: Boeing is nearing a massive deal for 500 jets with China, which would be one of the largest in its history; despite recent competition from Airbus, successfully closing this deal would help Boeing regain international market share.
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- Investor Day Announcement: AAR Corp. will host an Investor Day on May 12, 2026, in New York City starting at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time, where company executives will outline strategic priorities and financial objectives, aiming to bolster investor confidence in the company's future growth.
- Executive Participation: The event will feature AAR's Chairman and CEO John M. Holmes and CFO Dylan Wolin, who will engage with investors through formal presentations and Q&A sessions, showcasing the company's leadership in aviation services.
- Live Webcast Availability: The event will be accessible to the public via a live webcast and replay on the company's website, ensuring broader investor access to critical information and enhancing corporate transparency and investor relations.
- Global Business Overview: AAR operates in over 20 countries, providing aerospace and defense aftermarket solutions across parts supply, repair and engineering, integrated solutions, and expeditionary services, highlighting its extensive influence and business diversity in the global market.
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- Investor Day Announcement: AAR Corp. will host its Investor Day on May 12, 2026, in New York City, starting at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time, where company executives will outline strategic priorities and growth initiatives to bolster investor confidence in the company's future.
- Executive Participation: The event will feature AAR's Chairman and CEO, John M. Holmes, along with CFO Dylan Wolin, who will provide a comprehensive overview of financial objectives and business strategies, likely attracting significant investor interest.
- Interactive Format: The agenda includes formal presentations and Q&A sessions designed to foster interaction with investors, helping them better understand the company's operational model and market positioning, thereby enhancing investor engagement and trust.
- Live Webcast Availability: In addition to in-person attendance, the event will be accessible via a live webcast and replay on the company's website, ensuring that investors unable to attend in person can still receive timely information, further expanding the company's market reach.
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- Transaction Overview: AAR Corp's Senior VP Jessica Garascia reported the exercise and immediate sale of 6,284 stock options, valued at approximately $705,000 according to SEC Form 4, indicating a liquidity event rather than a discretionary market sale.
- Shareholding Changes: Post-transaction, Garascia's direct common stock holdings decreased from 35,841 shares to 29,557 shares, reflecting a 17.53% reduction, which indicates a decline in her direct ownership stake in the company.
- Scale Comparison: This sale exceeded Garascia's recent median sale size of 4,209 shares since July 2024, demonstrating an increased proportion of sales attributed to a shrinking holdings base.
- Company Performance Highlights: AAR Corp reported $845.1 million in sales for Q3 2023, a 25% year-over-year increase, and a turnaround from a net loss of $8.9 million last year to a net income of $68 million, showcasing strong business performance and potential to attract investors.
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