Bullish Outlook for Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 28 2026
0mins
Should l Buy HII?
Source: Yahoo Finance
- Unique Market Position: Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (HII), as the largest military shipbuilder in the U.S., focuses on the design and construction of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines, ensuring a strategic advantage amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Western Pacific.
- Strong Backlog: HII currently boasts a backlog estimated between $53 billion and $57 billion, and with shipbuilding timelines spanning five to ten years, this significantly enhances revenue visibility well into the next decade, reinforcing its near-monopoly status in nuclear platforms.
- Robust Policy Support: U.S. maritime industrial policies, particularly initiatives during the Trump administration aimed at restoring naval dominance and countering China's naval rise, provide strong backing for HII's continued growth trajectory.
- Outstanding Stock Performance: Since our coverage in February 2025, HII's stock price has appreciated approximately 171.6%, reflecting market recognition of its naval expansion potential amid Taiwan-China tensions, although some analysts suggest that AI stocks may offer higher return potential.
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Analyst Views on HII
Wall Street analysts forecast HII stock price to fall
6 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
1 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 393.320
Low
300.00
Averages
344.80
High
376.00
Current: 393.320
Low
300.00
Averages
344.80
High
376.00
About HII
Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. is a global, all-domain defense provider. The Company delivers ships and all-domain solutions in service of the nation. It delivers critical capabilities extending from ships to unmanned systems, cyber, ISR, AI/ML and synthetic training. It operates through three segments: Ingalls Shipbuilding (Ingalls), Newport News Shipbuilding (Newport News), and Mission Technologies. Through its Ingalls segment, the Company designs and constructs non-nuclear ships for the United States Navy and Coast Guard, including amphibious assault ships, expeditionary warfare ships, surface combatants, and national security cutters (NSC). The core business of its Newport News segment is designing and constructing nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines, and the refueling and overhaul and the inactivation of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. The Company’s Mission Technologies segment develops integrated solutions that enable connected, all-domain force.
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.
HII Completes Delivery of USS New Jersey Submarine
- Submarine Delivery Completed: HII's Newport News Shipbuilding has successfully completed post-shakedown availability (PSA) work on the Virginia-class fast attack submarine USS New Jersey (SSN 796), redelivering it to the U.S. Navy last Friday, marking the successful completion of maintenance and upgrades.
- Maintenance and Upgrades: The PSA included combat systems and electronics upgrades, as well as general maintenance, ensuring that USS New Jersey is equipped with enhanced operational capabilities for future missions, thereby strengthening the U.S. Navy's undersea combat advantage.
- Strategic Importance: Jason Ward, HII's vice president of new construction submarine programs, emphasized that the delivery of USS New Jersey further solidifies America's maritime supremacy, showcasing the close collaboration between HII and the Navy in maintaining national security.
- Company Background: HII is America's largest shipbuilder with over 140 years of history, dedicated to providing robust defense capabilities to the U.S. and allied forces, employing 44,000 people, which underscores its significant role in the defense sector.
See More
HII Welcomes Former Senator for Ship Construction Update
- Ship Construction Progress: HII's Ingalls Shipbuilding recently hosted former U.S. Senator Sam Nunn and family for a tour of the future USSSam Nunn (DDG 133), showcasing the ship's construction progress and marking its advancement towards launch.
- Defense Policy Impact: During his Senate tenure, Nunn spearheaded significant defense initiatives, including the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Program, which deactivated over 7,600 nuclear warheads, highlighting his profound influence on national security.
- Technological Upgrades: The future USSSam Nunn (DDG 133) is the fifth Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, equipped with the AN/SPY 6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar, significantly enhancing the U.S. Navy's air defense capabilities to address 21st-century threats.
- Future Construction Plans: Ingalls is currently constructing four Flight III destroyers and has initiated early planning and material procurement for additional vessels like John F. Lehman (DDG 137), demonstrating the company's ongoing commitment and expansion in the defense sector.
See More
HII Launches Future U.S.S. George M. Neal, Advancing Navy's Destroyer Fleet
- Milestone Launch: HII's Ingalls Shipbuilding successfully launched the future U.S.S. George M. Neal (DDG 131) on Wednesday, marking a significant milestone in the construction of the U.S. Navy's next generation of guided missile destroyers, thereby enhancing the company's position in the defense sector.
- Structural and Component Installation: Prior to the launch, shipbuilders completed structural work, installed major components, and conducted inspections to prepare the vessel for entry into the water, ensuring construction quality and facilitating subsequent testing processes.
- Advanced System Configuration: DDG 131 is part of the Flight III configuration, equipped with the AN/SPY-6 ((V))1 radar and Aegis Baseline 10 combat system, designed to enhance capabilities against evolving threats, thereby strengthening the Navy's air and missile defense capabilities.
- Testing and Delivery: Following the launch, the ship will undergo outfitting, activation of onboard systems, and testing before entering sea trials, a standard phase ahead of delivery to the U.S. Navy, ensuring the vessel's operational readiness and reliability.
See More
HII Successfully Launches Future USS George M. Neal (DDG 131)
- Launch Milestone: HII's Ingalls Shipbuilding division successfully launched the future USS George M. Neal (DDG 131), marking a significant construction milestone for the fourth Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, showcasing the company's leadership in naval vessel manufacturing.
- Key Construction Completed: In the weeks leading up to the launch, the shipyard completed critical construction work, ensured major components were in place, and conducted inspections, which not only guaranteed the ship's readiness for launch but also highlighted the crew's expertise and efficient collaboration.
- Advanced Technology Implementation: As a Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, DDG 131 features the latest AN/SPY-6 (V)1 radar system and Aegis Baseline 10 combat system, designed to effectively counter various threats in the 21st century, thereby enhancing the combat capabilities of the U.S. Navy.
- Next Construction Phase: Following the launch, George M. Neal will move into the next phase of construction, which includes outfitting, systems activation, and testing in preparation for sea trials, further strengthening HII's competitive position in the defense sector.
See More
Buffett Warns of Nuclear Proliferation Risks
- Nuclear Proliferation Warning: Buffett stated on CNBC's 'Squawk Box' that the prospect of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons significantly heightens the risk of global conflict, especially as nine countries now possess nuclear capabilities, fundamentally altering the global risk landscape.
- Geopolitical Tensions: He specifically highlighted rising geopolitical tensions involving Iran and North Korea, suggesting that the potential presence of nuclear weapons in these regions considerably complicates the situation and could lead to catastrophic outcomes.
- Pessimistic Outlook: Buffett expressed a belief that within the next 100 years, something will occur that could lead to the use of nuclear weapons, emphasizing that the current state of nuclear arsenals cannot be ignored, reflecting his deep concerns about proliferation.
- Challenges for Leaders: When asked what advice he would give to a U.S. president regarding enriched uranium, Buffett adopted a fatalistic tone, suggesting that the existence of nuclear weapons will complicate future decision-making processes significantly.
See More
Pentagon Denies Defense Secretary's Investment Rumors
- Investment Rumors Surface: According to the Financial Times, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's broker sought to make a large investment in major defense companies ahead of the Iran war, although the Pentagon denied the report, labeling it as 'entirely false.'
- ETF Investment Plan: Hegseth's broker contacted BlackRock to discuss a multimillion-dollar investment in its iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF, which has approximately $3.1 billion in assets and includes stocks from major defense firms like Lockheed Martin.
- Poor Market Performance: The Defense ETF has lost 12.4% in the past month since the onset of the Iran war, reflecting cautious sentiment in the defense investment landscape, despite Hegseth's investment plans not materializing.
- Conflict Escalation: With U.S. Marines arriving in the region, the Pentagon is preparing for weeks of ground operations in Iran, indicating a potential escalation of the conflict that could further impact defense industry investment sentiment.
See More
HII Completes Delivery of USS New Jersey Submarine
- Submarine Delivery Completed: HII's Newport News Shipbuilding has successfully completed post-shakedown availability (PSA) work on the Virginia-class fast attack submarine USS New Jersey (SSN 796), redelivering it to the U.S. Navy last Friday, marking the successful completion of maintenance and upgrades.
- Maintenance and Upgrades: The PSA included combat systems and electronics upgrades, as well as general maintenance, ensuring that USS New Jersey is equipped with enhanced operational capabilities for future missions, thereby strengthening the U.S. Navy's undersea combat advantage.
- Strategic Importance: Jason Ward, HII's vice president of new construction submarine programs, emphasized that the delivery of USS New Jersey further solidifies America's maritime supremacy, showcasing the close collaboration between HII and the Navy in maintaining national security.
- Company Background: HII is America's largest shipbuilder with over 140 years of history, dedicated to providing robust defense capabilities to the U.S. and allied forces, employing 44,000 people, which underscores its significant role in the defense sector.
See More
HII Welcomes Former Senator for Ship Construction Update
- Ship Construction Progress: HII's Ingalls Shipbuilding recently hosted former U.S. Senator Sam Nunn and family for a tour of the future USSSam Nunn (DDG 133), showcasing the ship's construction progress and marking its advancement towards launch.
- Defense Policy Impact: During his Senate tenure, Nunn spearheaded significant defense initiatives, including the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Program, which deactivated over 7,600 nuclear warheads, highlighting his profound influence on national security.
- Technological Upgrades: The future USSSam Nunn (DDG 133) is the fifth Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, equipped with the AN/SPY 6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar, significantly enhancing the U.S. Navy's air defense capabilities to address 21st-century threats.
- Future Construction Plans: Ingalls is currently constructing four Flight III destroyers and has initiated early planning and material procurement for additional vessels like John F. Lehman (DDG 137), demonstrating the company's ongoing commitment and expansion in the defense sector.
See More
HII Launches Future U.S.S. George M. Neal, Advancing Navy's Destroyer Fleet
- Milestone Launch: HII's Ingalls Shipbuilding successfully launched the future U.S.S. George M. Neal (DDG 131) on Wednesday, marking a significant milestone in the construction of the U.S. Navy's next generation of guided missile destroyers, thereby enhancing the company's position in the defense sector.
- Structural and Component Installation: Prior to the launch, shipbuilders completed structural work, installed major components, and conducted inspections to prepare the vessel for entry into the water, ensuring construction quality and facilitating subsequent testing processes.
- Advanced System Configuration: DDG 131 is part of the Flight III configuration, equipped with the AN/SPY-6 ((V))1 radar and Aegis Baseline 10 combat system, designed to enhance capabilities against evolving threats, thereby strengthening the Navy's air and missile defense capabilities.
- Testing and Delivery: Following the launch, the ship will undergo outfitting, activation of onboard systems, and testing before entering sea trials, a standard phase ahead of delivery to the U.S. Navy, ensuring the vessel's operational readiness and reliability.
See More
HII Successfully Launches Future USS George M. Neal (DDG 131)
- Launch Milestone: HII's Ingalls Shipbuilding division successfully launched the future USS George M. Neal (DDG 131), marking a significant construction milestone for the fourth Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, showcasing the company's leadership in naval vessel manufacturing.
- Key Construction Completed: In the weeks leading up to the launch, the shipyard completed critical construction work, ensured major components were in place, and conducted inspections, which not only guaranteed the ship's readiness for launch but also highlighted the crew's expertise and efficient collaboration.
- Advanced Technology Implementation: As a Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, DDG 131 features the latest AN/SPY-6 (V)1 radar system and Aegis Baseline 10 combat system, designed to effectively counter various threats in the 21st century, thereby enhancing the combat capabilities of the U.S. Navy.
- Next Construction Phase: Following the launch, George M. Neal will move into the next phase of construction, which includes outfitting, systems activation, and testing in preparation for sea trials, further strengthening HII's competitive position in the defense sector.
See More
Buffett Warns of Nuclear Proliferation Risks
- Nuclear Proliferation Warning: Buffett stated on CNBC's 'Squawk Box' that the prospect of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons significantly heightens the risk of global conflict, especially as nine countries now possess nuclear capabilities, fundamentally altering the global risk landscape.
- Geopolitical Tensions: He specifically highlighted rising geopolitical tensions involving Iran and North Korea, suggesting that the potential presence of nuclear weapons in these regions considerably complicates the situation and could lead to catastrophic outcomes.
- Pessimistic Outlook: Buffett expressed a belief that within the next 100 years, something will occur that could lead to the use of nuclear weapons, emphasizing that the current state of nuclear arsenals cannot be ignored, reflecting his deep concerns about proliferation.
- Challenges for Leaders: When asked what advice he would give to a U.S. president regarding enriched uranium, Buffett adopted a fatalistic tone, suggesting that the existence of nuclear weapons will complicate future decision-making processes significantly.
See More
Pentagon Denies Defense Secretary's Investment Rumors
- Investment Rumors Surface: According to the Financial Times, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's broker sought to make a large investment in major defense companies ahead of the Iran war, although the Pentagon denied the report, labeling it as 'entirely false.'
- ETF Investment Plan: Hegseth's broker contacted BlackRock to discuss a multimillion-dollar investment in its iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF, which has approximately $3.1 billion in assets and includes stocks from major defense firms like Lockheed Martin.
- Poor Market Performance: The Defense ETF has lost 12.4% in the past month since the onset of the Iran war, reflecting cautious sentiment in the defense investment landscape, despite Hegseth's investment plans not materializing.
- Conflict Escalation: With U.S. Marines arriving in the region, the Pentagon is preparing for weeks of ground operations in Iran, indicating a potential escalation of the conflict that could further impact defense industry investment sentiment.
See More
