Ventyx Biosciences Shares Up 61.7% as Eli Lilly Nears Acquisition Deal
Equity futures were mixed after the major averages closed broadly higher for the second day in a row. Despite the strong start to the first trading week of 2026, some reluctance remains from traders as they await fresh near-term catalysts, especially as they look ahead to key economic data including employment reports later this week.Check out this evening's top movers from around Wall Street, compiled by The Fly.HIGHER -Ventyx Biosciencesup 61.7% after the Wall Street Journal reported that Eli Lillyis near a deal to acquire Ventyx for over $1BNetcapitalup 35.1% after acquiring Iverson DesignMobileyeup 10.8% after agreeing to acquire Mentee Robotics in a cash and stock dealLOWER -Curtiss-Wrightdown 10.5% after CGO John Watts disclosed the sale of 107 common shares
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- Rating Upgrade: Curtiss-Wright has received an overweight rating, indicating analysts' optimistic outlook on its future performance, which is likely to boost investor confidence and drive stock price appreciation.
- Price Target Set: The average price target of $699.63 reflects a positive expectation regarding the company's growth potential, potentially attracting more institutional investors' interest.
- Market Reaction: The release of this rating and price target may prompt a reevaluation of Curtiss-Wright's stock in the market, thereby increasing its liquidity and trading volume, enhancing interest among market participants.
- Investment Strategy Impact: With the rating upgrade, investors may adjust their portfolios to increase holdings in Curtiss-Wright, aiming for higher returns in the future.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.










