Congress Passes $839 Billion Defense Budget for 2026
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 1 hour ago
0mins
Source: Globenewswire
- Defense Budget Increase: Congress has passed an $839 billion defense spending bill, marking the Pentagon's first full-year appropriation since fiscal 2024, with $9.8 billion specifically allocated for the development of autonomous and unmanned systems, highlighting a commitment to modern military technology.
- AI Market Outlook: The global AI market in defense and aerospace is projected to grow from $4.2 billion in 2026 to $42.8 billion by 2036, with a compound annual growth rate of 26.4%, indicating that defense budgets are driving rapid advancements in related technologies.
- Accelerated Corporate Investment: The DoD's IT budget for fiscal 2026 reached $66 billion, an increase of $1.8 billion from 2025, with every service branch boosting its AI allocations, and the Navy's AI spending alone rising by 22.7% year-over-year, reflecting a strong demand for intelligent technologies.
- Strategic Partnership Opportunities: VisionWave Holdings' subsidiary Solar Drone held meetings in Italy with potential customers in the Middle East to discuss drone cleaning solutions, indicating the company's pursuit of new business opportunities in the rapidly growing solar market in the region.
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Analyst Views on CW
Wall Street analysts forecast CW stock price to fall
6 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
3 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 671.060
Low
584.00
Averages
618.80
High
660.00
Current: 671.060
Low
584.00
Averages
618.80
High
660.00
About CW
Curtiss-Wright Corporation is a global integrated business that provides engineered products, solutions, and services mainly to the Aerospace & Defense markets, as well as critical technologies in demanding commercial power, process, and industrial markets. The Company's segments include Aerospace & Industrial, Defense Electronics, and Naval & Power. The Aerospace & Industrial segment consists of businesses that provide a diversified offering of engineered products and services supporting applications primarily across the commercial aerospace and general industrial markets. The Defense Electronics segment comprises businesses that primarily provide products for the defense market and, to a lesser extent, the commercial aerospace market. The Naval & Power segment comprises businesses that provide products for naval defense and, to a lesser extent, the power and process and aerospace defense markets. The products offered include main coolant pumps, seals, valves, and others.
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.
Curtiss-Wright Reports Record Q4 2025 Earnings and Strong Growth Outlook
- Sales Performance Growth: Curtiss-Wright achieved $947 million in sales for Q4 2025, marking a 15% year-over-year increase, with an organic growth rate of 11%, reflecting strong performance in the Aerospace and Defense markets and further solidifying its market position.
- Cash Flow and Profitability: The company recorded a free cash flow of $315 million for the quarter, with an annual adjusted free cash flow of $554 million and a conversion rate of 111%, providing robust financial support for future investments and growth.
- 2026 Outlook: Management projects organic sales growth of 6% to 8% for 2026, with earnings per share (EPS) expected to grow by 11% to 15%, indicating strong confidence in future growth potential despite challenges related to defense order timing delays.
- Operational Efficiency Improvement: The operating margin for the fourth quarter was 19.7%, demonstrating strong performance in the Aerospace and Defense sectors, although overall profitability was somewhat tempered by increased customer-funded R&D costs.
See More
Congress Passes $839 Billion Defense Budget for 2026
- Defense Budget Increase: Congress has passed an $839 billion defense spending bill, marking the Pentagon's first full-year appropriation since fiscal 2024, with $9.8 billion specifically allocated for the development of autonomous and unmanned systems, highlighting a commitment to modern military technology.
- AI Market Outlook: The global AI market in defense and aerospace is projected to grow from $4.2 billion in 2026 to $42.8 billion by 2036, with a compound annual growth rate of 26.4%, indicating that defense budgets are driving rapid advancements in related technologies.
- Accelerated Corporate Investment: The DoD's IT budget for fiscal 2026 reached $66 billion, an increase of $1.8 billion from 2025, with every service branch boosting its AI allocations, and the Navy's AI spending alone rising by 22.7% year-over-year, reflecting a strong demand for intelligent technologies.
- Strategic Partnership Opportunities: VisionWave Holdings' subsidiary Solar Drone held meetings in Italy with potential customers in the Middle East to discuss drone cleaning solutions, indicating the company's pursuit of new business opportunities in the rapidly growing solar market in the region.
See More
Congress Passes $839 Billion Defense Budget for 2026
- Defense Budget Increase: The U.S. Congress has passed an $839 billion defense spending bill, marking the Pentagon's first full-year appropriation since fiscal 2024, with $9.8 billion allocated specifically for the development of autonomous and unmanned systems, which is expected to drive investment and market growth for related companies.
- AI Market Outlook: The global AI market in defense and aerospace is projected to grow from $4.2 billion in 2026 to $42.8 billion by 2036, at a compound annual growth rate of 26.4%, indicating a rapid acceleration in demand for autonomous platforms and intelligent command systems, attracting significant institutional capital.
- Howmet's Strong Performance: Howmet Aerospace reported $2.2 billion in revenue for Q4 2025, a 15% year-over-year increase, with full-year revenue reaching a record $8.3 billion and adjusted EPS rising 40% to $3.77, reflecting robust growth in commercial and defense aerospace sectors.
- Curtiss-Wright Contract Win: Curtiss-Wright has been selected by Boeing to supply mission computers for the U.S. Air Force's C-17 Globemaster III, with an estimated contract value exceeding $400 million, enhancing the operational life of this critical military platform and reinforcing Curtiss-Wright's pivotal role in defense modernization.
See More
Curtiss-Wright Reports Strong Q4 Results Exceeding Expectations
- Sales Performance Growth: Curtiss-Wright's Q4 sales reached $947 million, a 15% increase year-over-year, surpassing market expectations of $890.2 million, indicating strong performance and growth potential in the market.
- Profitability Improvement: Adjusted earnings per share were $3.79, exceeding analysts' expectations of $3.69, with net income rising from $117.9 million to $137 million, reflecting the company's success in cost control and operational efficiency.
- Orders and Cash Flow Improvement: New orders totaled $1.1 billion, an 18% increase, resulting in a book-to-bill ratio of 1.2, with a year-end backlog of $4.1 billion, demonstrating robust market demand and future growth potential.
- Optimistic 2026 Outlook: Curtiss-Wright expects total sales between $3.71 billion and $3.77 billion in 2026, implying organic growth of 6% to 8%, with projected earnings per share of $14.70 to $15.15, showcasing confidence in sustained growth.
See More
Curtiss-Wright Q4 Earnings Exceed Expectations
- Earnings Beat: Curtiss-Wright reported a Q4 non-GAAP EPS of $3.79, exceeding expectations by $0.10, which reflects the company's strong profitability and enhances investor confidence in its growth trajectory.
- Significant Revenue Growth: The company achieved Q4 revenue of $947 million, representing a 14.9% year-over-year increase and surpassing analyst estimates by $56.79 million, indicating robust sales performance driven by strong market demand.
- Strong Market Position: Curtiss-Wright's prowess in precision technology and premium valuation solidify its leadership in a competitive landscape, attracting increased investor interest and trust.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: With ongoing innovation and market expansion, Curtiss-Wright's performance lays a solid foundation for future growth potential, expected to further enhance shareholder returns and market share.
See More
Curtiss-Wright Reports Record FY25 Sales and Profitability
- Record Sales Performance: Curtiss-Wright achieved $3.5 billion in sales for FY25, reflecting a 12% increase driven by strong demand in the Aerospace & Defense markets, further solidifying its leadership position in the industry.
- Significant Profitability Improvement: The company reported $182 million in operating income for Q4, with an operating margin of 19.2%, while adjusted diluted EPS reached $3.79, up 16%, showcasing success in operational efficiency and cost control.
- Record Free Cash Flow: FY25 free cash flow amounted to $554 million, with a conversion rate of 111%, indicating the company's ability to grow profitability while effectively reducing working capital, enhancing financial flexibility.
- Strong Order Growth: New orders totaled $4.1 billion for FY25, a 10% increase, with a book-to-bill ratio of 1.2, reflecting robust confidence in future performance, particularly driven by sustained demand in the commercial nuclear and defense markets.
See More
Curtiss-Wright Reports Record Q4 2025 Earnings and Strong Growth Outlook
- Sales Performance Growth: Curtiss-Wright achieved $947 million in sales for Q4 2025, marking a 15% year-over-year increase, with an organic growth rate of 11%, reflecting strong performance in the Aerospace and Defense markets and further solidifying its market position.
- Cash Flow and Profitability: The company recorded a free cash flow of $315 million for the quarter, with an annual adjusted free cash flow of $554 million and a conversion rate of 111%, providing robust financial support for future investments and growth.
- 2026 Outlook: Management projects organic sales growth of 6% to 8% for 2026, with earnings per share (EPS) expected to grow by 11% to 15%, indicating strong confidence in future growth potential despite challenges related to defense order timing delays.
- Operational Efficiency Improvement: The operating margin for the fourth quarter was 19.7%, demonstrating strong performance in the Aerospace and Defense sectors, although overall profitability was somewhat tempered by increased customer-funded R&D costs.
See More
Congress Passes $839 Billion Defense Budget for 2026
- Defense Budget Increase: Congress has passed an $839 billion defense spending bill, marking the Pentagon's first full-year appropriation since fiscal 2024, with $9.8 billion specifically allocated for the development of autonomous and unmanned systems, highlighting a commitment to modern military technology.
- AI Market Outlook: The global AI market in defense and aerospace is projected to grow from $4.2 billion in 2026 to $42.8 billion by 2036, with a compound annual growth rate of 26.4%, indicating that defense budgets are driving rapid advancements in related technologies.
- Accelerated Corporate Investment: The DoD's IT budget for fiscal 2026 reached $66 billion, an increase of $1.8 billion from 2025, with every service branch boosting its AI allocations, and the Navy's AI spending alone rising by 22.7% year-over-year, reflecting a strong demand for intelligent technologies.
- Strategic Partnership Opportunities: VisionWave Holdings' subsidiary Solar Drone held meetings in Italy with potential customers in the Middle East to discuss drone cleaning solutions, indicating the company's pursuit of new business opportunities in the rapidly growing solar market in the region.
See More
Congress Passes $839 Billion Defense Budget for 2026
- Defense Budget Increase: The U.S. Congress has passed an $839 billion defense spending bill, marking the Pentagon's first full-year appropriation since fiscal 2024, with $9.8 billion allocated specifically for the development of autonomous and unmanned systems, which is expected to drive investment and market growth for related companies.
- AI Market Outlook: The global AI market in defense and aerospace is projected to grow from $4.2 billion in 2026 to $42.8 billion by 2036, at a compound annual growth rate of 26.4%, indicating a rapid acceleration in demand for autonomous platforms and intelligent command systems, attracting significant institutional capital.
- Howmet's Strong Performance: Howmet Aerospace reported $2.2 billion in revenue for Q4 2025, a 15% year-over-year increase, with full-year revenue reaching a record $8.3 billion and adjusted EPS rising 40% to $3.77, reflecting robust growth in commercial and defense aerospace sectors.
- Curtiss-Wright Contract Win: Curtiss-Wright has been selected by Boeing to supply mission computers for the U.S. Air Force's C-17 Globemaster III, with an estimated contract value exceeding $400 million, enhancing the operational life of this critical military platform and reinforcing Curtiss-Wright's pivotal role in defense modernization.
See More
Curtiss-Wright Reports Strong Q4 Results Exceeding Expectations
- Sales Performance Growth: Curtiss-Wright's Q4 sales reached $947 million, a 15% increase year-over-year, surpassing market expectations of $890.2 million, indicating strong performance and growth potential in the market.
- Profitability Improvement: Adjusted earnings per share were $3.79, exceeding analysts' expectations of $3.69, with net income rising from $117.9 million to $137 million, reflecting the company's success in cost control and operational efficiency.
- Orders and Cash Flow Improvement: New orders totaled $1.1 billion, an 18% increase, resulting in a book-to-bill ratio of 1.2, with a year-end backlog of $4.1 billion, demonstrating robust market demand and future growth potential.
- Optimistic 2026 Outlook: Curtiss-Wright expects total sales between $3.71 billion and $3.77 billion in 2026, implying organic growth of 6% to 8%, with projected earnings per share of $14.70 to $15.15, showcasing confidence in sustained growth.
See More
Curtiss-Wright Q4 Earnings Exceed Expectations
- Earnings Beat: Curtiss-Wright reported a Q4 non-GAAP EPS of $3.79, exceeding expectations by $0.10, which reflects the company's strong profitability and enhances investor confidence in its growth trajectory.
- Significant Revenue Growth: The company achieved Q4 revenue of $947 million, representing a 14.9% year-over-year increase and surpassing analyst estimates by $56.79 million, indicating robust sales performance driven by strong market demand.
- Strong Market Position: Curtiss-Wright's prowess in precision technology and premium valuation solidify its leadership in a competitive landscape, attracting increased investor interest and trust.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: With ongoing innovation and market expansion, Curtiss-Wright's performance lays a solid foundation for future growth potential, expected to further enhance shareholder returns and market share.
See More
Curtiss-Wright Reports Record FY25 Sales and Profitability
- Record Sales Performance: Curtiss-Wright achieved $3.5 billion in sales for FY25, reflecting a 12% increase driven by strong demand in the Aerospace & Defense markets, further solidifying its leadership position in the industry.
- Significant Profitability Improvement: The company reported $182 million in operating income for Q4, with an operating margin of 19.2%, while adjusted diluted EPS reached $3.79, up 16%, showcasing success in operational efficiency and cost control.
- Record Free Cash Flow: FY25 free cash flow amounted to $554 million, with a conversion rate of 111%, indicating the company's ability to grow profitability while effectively reducing working capital, enhancing financial flexibility.
- Strong Order Growth: New orders totaled $4.1 billion for FY25, a 10% increase, with a book-to-bill ratio of 1.2, reflecting robust confidence in future performance, particularly driven by sustained demand in the commercial nuclear and defense markets.
See More
