Citi Upgrades Lockheed Martin to Buy with $582 Target
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 1 hour ago
0mins
Source: seekingalpha
- Rating Upgrade: Citi upgraded Lockheed Martin from Neutral to Buy with a price target raised from $571 to $582, reflecting its cheap valuation and improving fundamentals, indicating the stock's potential in fast-growing themes.
- Market Rebound Expectation: Despite many defense stocks facing one of the worst quarterly declines in modern history, Citi analyst John Godyn notes that Lockheed Martin is a strong defense stock that typically rebounds sharply after such declines, suggesting an attractive risk/reward profile.
- Karman Holdings Watch: Citi maintains a Buy rating on Karman Holdings with a $76 price target, believing the stock could experience asymmetric upside if organic growth accelerates, highlighting its unique advantages in the defense sector.
- Earnings Outlook Improvement: Analysts expect Karman to significantly beat Q2 earnings estimates, citing a compressed valuation compared to aerospace and defense peers, which enhances its investment appeal and potential for tactical rebound.
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Analyst Views on LMT
Wall Street analysts forecast LMT stock price to rise
12 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
7 Hold
1 Sell
Hold
Current: 509.460
Low
430.00
Averages
535.50
High
605.00
Current: 509.460
Low
430.00
Averages
535.50
High
605.00
About LMT
Lockheed Martin Corporation is an aerospace and defense technology company. The Company's segments include Aeronautics, Missiles and Fire Control (MFC), Rotary and Mission Systems (RMS) and Space. The Aeronautics segment is engaged in research, design, development, manufacture, integration, sustainment, support and upgrade of advanced military aircraft, including combat and air mobility aircraft, unmanned air vehicles and related technologies. The MFC segment provides air and missile defense systems; tactical missiles and precision strike weapon systems; logistics; fire control systems; engineering support and integration services. The RMS segment designs, manufactures, services and supports various military and commercial helicopters, sea and land-based missile defense systems. The 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.
- Earnings Call Schedule: Lockheed Martin will host a live webcast of its Q2 2026 earnings results on July 23, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. ET, where executives will discuss financial outcomes and key topics, ensuring timely information for investors.
- Webcast Access and Materials: Investors can access the live webcast and relevant presentation slides and financial charts on the company’s website prior to the earnings release, enhancing transparency and information sharing.
- Replay and Podcast Availability: The webcast will be available for on-demand replay until August 6, 2026, allowing investors who missed the live event to catch up on the earnings report, with additional podcast content provided to broaden information dissemination.
- Company Overview: Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology leader focused on driving innovation and scientific discovery, with its all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security® vision aimed at accelerating the delivery of transformative technologies to keep its clients ahead.
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- Significant Contract Value: Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $3.0 billion fixed-price-incentive contract to support the production of the U.S. Army's Sentinel A4 radar system, which is expected to significantly enhance the company's market share in the defense sector.
- Project Timeline: The contract is scheduled for completion by June 29, 2031, with work locations and funding to be determined with each order, providing the company with flexibility to adapt to changing market demands.
- F-100 Upgrade Initiative: Additionally, Lockheed Martin secured a $103.9 million contract for long-lead material procurement, early engineering support, and test site establishment for the F-100 mid-life upgrade program, showcasing the company's strong performance in international military sales.
- Expansion into Spain: This F-100 upgrade contract involves foreign military sales to Spain, with $51.4 million obligated at the time of award and expected completion by June 2027, further solidifying Lockheed Martin's influence in the European market.
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- Rating Upgrade: Citi upgraded Lockheed Martin from Neutral to Buy with a price target raised from $571 to $582, reflecting its cheap valuation and improving fundamentals, indicating the stock's potential in fast-growing themes.
- Market Rebound Expectation: Despite many defense stocks facing one of the worst quarterly declines in modern history, Citi analyst John Godyn notes that Lockheed Martin is a strong defense stock that typically rebounds sharply after such declines, suggesting an attractive risk/reward profile.
- Karman Holdings Watch: Citi maintains a Buy rating on Karman Holdings with a $76 price target, believing the stock could experience asymmetric upside if organic growth accelerates, highlighting its unique advantages in the defense sector.
- Earnings Outlook Improvement: Analysts expect Karman to significantly beat Q2 earnings estimates, citing a compressed valuation compared to aerospace and defense peers, which enhances its investment appeal and potential for tactical rebound.
See More
- Market Dynamics: The S&P 500 is up at the start of the new month, while the Nasdaq faces pressure as investors take profits in semiconductor stocks like Micron, Sandisk, Nvidia, and Broadcom, indicating volatility in market sentiment.
- Nike Exit: Jim Cramer exited his position in Nike after a disappointing quarter, acknowledging a 40% loss, and despite previous confidence in a turnaround, he opted to reallocate funds to FedEx Freight for potentially better returns.
- Salesforce Stock Surge: Salesforce shares jumped over 5% after Guggenheim upgraded the stock to buy with a $228 price target, although Jim Cramer remains cautious about the company's growth prospects, noting that AI pressure won't be fatal but overall business growth is lacking.
- Rapid Trade Review: Stocks mentioned at the end of the video include Micron, Constellation Brands, General Mills, Lockheed Martin, and Bloom Energy, reflecting Jim Cramer's focus on a diversified investment portfolio.
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- Abbott Labs Upgrade: Baird initiates coverage on Abbott Labs (ABT) with an outperform rating, projecting steady revenue and earnings growth of 6-8% over the next few years, bolstered by its leading position in the rapidly growing MedDevice market, enhancing the company's competitive edge.
- Murphy USA Upgrade: Jefferies upgrades Murphy USA (MUSA) from hold to buy, citing improving fuel margins that are expected to drive EBITDA outlook significantly higher by 20-25%, which will materially enhance the company's financial performance in the coming years.
- Abivax Upgrade: Jefferies raises Abivax (ABVX) to buy, noting strong data for its ulcerative colitis drug that alleviates key market concerns, which is likely to drive a rebound in the stock price.
- Talos Energy Upgrade: Roth upgrades Talos Energy (TALO) from neutral to buy, raising the price target by 6% to $17, based on its robust balance sheet and low production decline rates, indicating strong future growth potential.
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- Market Demand Surge: The unmanned military technology market is projected to grow from $35 billion in 2025 to between $65 billion and $85 billion by 2032-2035, indicating a strong global demand for autonomous combat systems that drives accelerated investments from related companies.
- Technological Advancements: Autonomous unmanned systems leverage artificial intelligence and advanced sensors to execute missions independently, enhancing operational efficiency and safety while reducing reliance on human personnel, aligning with modern warfare requirements.
- Acquisition Strategy: VisionWave Holdings plans to acquire a 51% controlling interest in Meteor Aerospace for approximately $20.4 million, which is expected to bolster its technological capabilities in unmanned systems and electronic warfare, further solidifying its market position.
- Industry Collaboration: Ondas Inc. collaborates with Lockheed Martin to integrate its counter-drone technology into a next-generation solution, enhancing the ability to respond to drone threats, reflecting the industry's emphasis on technological integration.
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