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☆ Video appears to capture first flight of the B-21 Raider, the US Air Force's newest stealth bomber
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A new video shows the first flight of the US Air Force's newest stealth bomber, the B-21 Raider. AdvertisementAdvertisementA new video appears to show the long-awaited first flight of the US Air Force's newest strategic bomber and the first new stealth bomber developed in decades, the B-21 Raider. She explained that this stage "is a critical step in the test campaign managed by the Air Force Test Center and 412th Test Wing's B-21 Combined Test Force." Pentagon leadership has said that the penetrating strike stealth bomber "will serve as the backbone of America's bomber force." AdvertisementAdvertisementThe "flying wing" B-21 Raider is the successor to the B-2 Spirit and is able to carry both conventional and nuclear payloads.

Persons: —, Matt Hartman, David Swanson, Ann Stefanek, Northrop Grumman, Doug Young Organizations: US Air Force's, US Air Force, Service, US Air, Raider, Northrop Grumman Corp, Air Force's, Reuters, Northrop, Air Force, United States Air, REUTERS, Air Force Test Center, Force, Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems, Pentagon Locations: US, Palmdale , California, U.S

☆ Here are Monday's biggest analyst calls: Nvidia, Boeing, Alphabet, Okta, Costco, Dick's, Tesla & more
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Bank of America reiterates Morgan Stanley as buy Bank of America said the investment bank is "best-in-class." "Initiate at Buy with a Street-high target price of USD72; we like Monster for its market positioning and growth opportunity." "While we turned more optimistic on MOS ahead of this year's crop season, we now see minor downside from current share price levels." Bank of America adds Boeing to the US1 list Bank of America added the stock to its top picks list. Bank of America reiterates Alphabet as buy Bank of America said it remains "constructive" on Alphabet's AI-driven ad products.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Goldman, Parsons, Tesla, Evercore, Morgan Stanley, it's, JPMorgan, Dick's, Bernstein, Marriott, Telsey, Ulta, Eli Lilly, Stifel Organizations: Teledyne, Bank of America, underperform Bank of America, PSN, U.S, Infrastructure, EU, " Bank of America, Nvidia, HSBC, Barclays, Target, JPMorgan, Hilton, Sports, UBS, Walmart, Base, Costco, Mosaic, Boeing, Boeing Co, Northrop Grumman Corp, Citi, Urban Outfitters Locations: U.S, LLY

☆ Eyeing China in the Pacific, US studies explosives to make missiles fly further
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Mike Stone | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

China views the U.S. in the Pacific as a threat, ramping up its own military presence in response. "Unfortunately, the Pentagon has grown complacent using 1940s-era energetics and neglected advanced energetics like CL-20 that are necessary to increasing the range and lethality of our force. In the last decade, when explosive weapons were used in populated areas, 90% of those reported killed or injured globally were civilians." The House version does not name any weapons, but Bob Kavetsky with the Energetics Technology Center said candidates for the new chemicals include the Lockheed Martin-made (LMT.N) long range anti-ship missiles and extended range air-to-surface missiles. Other candidates include Harpoon anti-ship missile made by Boeing (BA.N) and Javelin anti-tank weapons made by Lockheed and RTX (RTX.N).

Persons: U.S . Navy Arleigh, Burke, Curtis Wilbur, Read, Mike Gallagher, Kathleen Hicks, Tom Karako, Karako, Iain Overton, Bob Kavetsky, Lockheed Martin, Mike Stone, Chris Sanders Organizations: U.S . Navy, Pacific Vanguard, U.S . Naval, Pentagon, Reuters, Democrat, Republican, Navy, Energetics Technology Center, Northrop Grumman Corp, CL, L3Harris Technologies, Department of Defense, Army, Air Force, energetics, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Lockheed, Boeing, Thomson Locations: Australia, Japan, Republic of Korea, U.S, Philippine, WASHINGTON, Pacific, China, California, United States, Washington

Technology (.SPLRCT) and real estate sectors (.SPLRCR) were the other top gainers among the 11 major S&P 500 sectors. ET, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (.DJI) was down 19.60 points, or 0.06%, at 33,707.83, the S&P 500 (.SPX) was up 6.90 points, or 0.16%, at 4,355.23, and the Nasdaq Composite (.IXIC) was up 51.68 points, or 0.38%, at 13,544.20. Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 2.97-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and 1.37-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P index recorded 17 new 52-week highs and one new low, while the Nasdaq recorded 37 new highs and 67 new lows. Reporting by Sruthi Shankar and Johann M Cherian in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini GanguliOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Tesla, Aston Martin, Jerome Powell, Randy Frederick, Charles Schwab, Goldman Sachs, UK's Aston Martin, Lockheed Martin, Sruthi Shankar, Johann M, Shinjini Organizations: Pfizer, Aston, Dow, Nasdaq, Technology, University of, Dow Jones, Pfizer Inc, Inc, UBS, Tesla, Ares Management, Lockheed, Northrop Grumman Corp, Raytheon Technologies, NYSE, Thomson Locations: Russian, U.S, Russia, Bengaluru

☆ U.S. Air Force to award sixth-generation fighter contract in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

May 18 (Reuters) - The U.S. Air Force intends to award a contract in 2024 for its sixth-generation fighter jet as it races to retain its edge against rapid advances in Chinese military technology, the service said on Thursday. The Air Force released a classified solicitation to industry on Thursday laying out the technical requirements. The new fighter will "survive, persist, interoperate, and adapt in the air domain, all within highly-contested operational environments," Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said in a statement. "No one does this better than the U.S. Air Force, but we will lose that edge if we don't move forward now." The Air Force plans to spend $2.3 billion on the program in fiscal 2024, and an additional $595 million to continue engine development for the new fighter.

April 18 (Reuters) - U.S. weapons maker Lockheed Martin Corp's (LMT.N) first-quarter results surpassed Wall Street targets on Tuesday despite parts and labor shortages, as simmering geopolitical tensions fueled demand from both U.S. and international customers. Shares of the company rose as much as 3.8% to hit a record high of $508.1 in early trading. The Pentagon's $858 billion defense budget for 2023 has also resulted in multiple contract wins for U.S. defense firms such as Lockheed, Raytheon Technologies (RTX.N) and Northrop Grumman Corp (NOC.N), which count the U.S. Department of Defense as their biggest customer. Lockheed's order backlog also fell to $145.1 billion as of quarter-end from $150 billion at the end of 2022. The missiles maker reaffirmed its full-year outlook, projecting net sales in the range of about $65 billion to $66 billion and profits between $26.60 and $26.90 per share.

☆ These 74 stocks across 5 categories of AI are the top picks from the sector's leading fund managers.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-18 | by ( Laila Maidan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

These 74 stocks are picked by AI ETF managers. What she believes is unique about her fund is its heavy focus on quantum computing technology, making up 41.22% of the fund. While big data is used for different technologies, it enables AI to work with massive data sets in its machine-learning process. TipRanks, a financial technology website that uses AI to analyze financial data, created a stock list for what they deem are the best AI stocks based on popularity. TipRanks' list of nine of the best AI stocks have large market caps and are likely to remain relevant for a long time.

☆ Biden wants $886 billion defense budget with eyes on Ukraine and future wars
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( Mike Stone | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The total amount of the 2024 budget proposal is $28 billion more than last year's $858 billion. Congress has passed an annual defense budget for more than 60 years. Biden's budget request also speeds the Department of Defense's pace for buying the stealthy F-35 fighter jet to 83. The 2023 budget request asked for 61 F-35 jets made by Lockheed Martin and Congress increased that number to 77. The budget would benefit the biggest U.S. defense contractors including Lockheed, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman Corp (NOC.N) and General Dynamics Corp (GD.N).

☆ Big Companies Seeing Tax Benefits From Law Change Some of Them Fought
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( Richard Rubin | Jennifer Williams-Alvarez | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +6 min

Those companies now qualify for a bigger tax break for exports because of the way the research-deduction change alters their tax calculations. Photo: Dado Ruvic/REUTERSModerna saw that tax break jump to a 7.4 percentage-point benefit on its tax rate from 4.8 points in 2021, even as its cash tax payments rose. The change requiring companies to spread out research deductions was part of the 2017 tax law, and it was designed to partly offset the revenue loss from cutting corporate tax rates. PREVIEWAt the same time, the smaller research deduction means many companies can get a bigger advantage from the export tax break. The size of the FDII tax break is based in part on how much income a company has.

☆ Defence contractors target Australia as it gears up to counter China
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-02 | by ( Jamie Freed | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The firms are pushing for billions of dollars' worth of purchases expected after Australia's long-awaited defence strategic review (DSR) is made public next month, setting out the force structure and equipment required over the next decade. The government's aim is to "speed up the acquisition cycle" and move as quickly as possible once the review is public, Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy told reporters on Wednesday. Australia ranked 12th globally in military spending in 2021 at $31.8 billion, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Lockheed was selected last year alongside Raytheon Technologies Corp (RTX.N) to accelerate the manufacture and delivery of guided weapons to Australia. In-country assembly, and eventually manufacturing, are a focus of the project that aims to build local stockpiles, said Ken Kota, vice president of Lockheed's Australian defence strategic capabilities office.

☆ The AI craze has sent some stocks soaring up to 300%. This list of over 74 stocks across 5 categories features the top picks from the sector's leading fund managers.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( Laila Maidan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Jan 26 (Reuters) - U.S. defense contractor Northrop Grumman Corp (NOC.N) on Thursday forecast full-year sales above Wall Street estimates, as it benefits from strong demand for weapons from countries ramping up their defense spend. "We're raising our sales outlook for 2023 and expect to deliver strong multi-year cash flow growth," Northrop Grumman Chief Executive Kathy Warden said. Northrop, which produces the fuselage for the F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet, posted sales of about $10.03 billion for the quarter ended Dec. 31, ahead of analysts' average estimate of $9.66 billion. Sale in its defense unit, which makes integrated battle management systems, weapons systems, rose to $1.66 billion, from $1.38 billion. Overall adjusted net income stood at $7.50 per share, ahead of analysts' average estimate of $6.57 per share.

Jan 24 (Reuters) - U.S. weapons maker Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) on Tuesday forecast annual profit below Street expectations, hurt by lingering supply bottlenecks and higher costs, though a generous defense budget helped it beat fourth-quarter estimates. The defense contractor said it expected a profit of $26.60 to $26.90 per share in 2023. Lockheed forecast 2023 revenue between $65 billion and $66 billion, compared with market estimates of $65.74 billion. Bethesda, Maryland-based Lockheed Martin posted adjusted net income of $7.79 per share for the three months ended Dec. 31, compared with analysts' estimate of $7.39 per share. It reported fourth-quarter net sales of $18.99 billion, above expectations of $18.27 billion.

☆ Wall Street extends rally, powered by tech bounce
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( Stephen Culp | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

All three major stock indexes extended Friday's gains, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq leading the pack, boosted by semiconductor shares (.SOX). Of the 11 major S&P 500 sectors, all but energy (.SPNY) ended green, with tech shares (.SPLRCT) enjoying the largest percentage gain, up 2.3% on the session. The fourth-quarter reporting season has shifted into overdrive, with 57 of the companies in the S&P 500 having posted results. Analysts now see S&P 500 fourth-quarter earnings, on aggregate, dropping 3% year-on-year, nearly twice as steep as the 1.6% annual drop seen at the beginning of the year, per Refinitiv. The S&P 500 posted 11 new 52-week highs and no new lows; the Nasdaq Composite recorded 82 new highs and 19 new lows.

☆ Wall Street surges, powered by tech rebound
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( Stephen Culp | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"No one wants to be watching from the sideline with a bunch a cash as the market gets away from them." All 11 major sectors in the S&P 500 were higher, with tech (.SPLRCT) up the most, jumping 2.8%. Fourth-quarter reporting season has shifted into overdrive, with 57 of the companies in the S&P 500 having posted results. Of those, 63% have delivered better than expected earnings, according to Refinitiv. The S&P 500 posted 11 new 52-week highs and no new lows; the Nasdaq Composite recorded 66 new highs and 14 new lows.

☆ Defense firms set to post higher sales, McCarthy's election clouds outlook
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( Nathan Gomes | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

** Raytheon is expected to post quarterly revenue of $18.15 billion and a profit of 92 cents a share. ** General Dynamics is estimated to report quarterly revenue of $10.69 billion and a profit of $3.55 per share. ** Northrop is expected to report quarterly revenue of $9.66 billion and a profit of $6.58 per share. Median 12-month price target is $495. Median 12-month price target is $566.

However, Congress in its last session in December didn’t reach an agreement, and finance chiefs say they hope the topic will be revisited. “That’s a 20 percentage point increase in tax for Yelp, so obviously very meaningful for us,” Mr. Schwarzbach said. The higher costs due to the law change will factor into investment decisions going forward, Mr. Schwarzbach said. The tax change has an impact on the company’s net income, Mr. Schwarzbach said. The San Francisco-based company reported R&D expenses of $75.8 million for the quarter ended Sept. 30, compared with $69.4 million a year earlier.

Dec 17 (Reuters) - L3Harris Technologies Inc (LHX.N) is nearing a $4.7 billion deal to acquire U.S. rocket maker Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings Inc (AJRD.N), 10 months after the latter's $4.4 billion sale to Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) fell through, people familiar with the matter said on Saturday. L3Harris is a defense contractor that is mostly a competitor rather than a customer of Aerojet. Aerojet's solid fuel rocket motors and other propulsion systems would help L3Harris expand its space defense systems and precision munitions businesses. Spokespeople for Aerojet, L3Harris and General Electric did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Its customers include the Pentagon, Boeing (BA.N), Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Technologies Corp (RTX.N).

☆ Pentagon debuts its new stealth bomber, the B-21 Raider
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

The B-21 Raider is the first new American bomber aircraft in more than 30 years. Both the Air Force and Northrop also point to the Raider's relatively quick development: The bomber went from contract award to debut in seven years. And we will build the bomber force in numbers suited to the strategic environment ahead," Austin said. The B-21 Raider, which takes its name from the 1942 Doolittle Raid over Tokyo, will be slightly smaller than the B-2 to increase its range, Warden said. Northrop Grumman has also incorporated maintenance lessons learned from the B-2, Warden said.

☆ U.S. Unveils B-21 Raider, the Stealth Bomber Designed to Deter China
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Doug Cameron | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

PALMDALE, Calif.—The Pentagon is poised to show off its first new bomber in more than 30 years, lifting the veil on the secret long-range jet intended as a central element in Washington’s effort to keep China in check. Defense giant Northrop Grumman Corp. on Friday will provide a glimpse of one of the new B-21 Raider jets at a government facility north of Los Angeles, where its most sensitive military projects are developed and built, ahead of an expected first flight next year.

☆ U.S. Unwraps B-21 Bomber, Designed to Deter China
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Doug Cameron | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

☆ Northrop Grumman unveils B-21 nuclear bomber for U.S. Air Force
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Mike Stone | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Northrop Grumman unveils the B-21 Raider, a new high-tech stealth bomber developed for the U.S. Air Force, during an event in Palmdale, California, U.S., December 2, 2022. REUTERS/David SwansonWASHINGTON, Dec 2 (Reuters) - Northrop Grumman Corp (NOC.N) on Friday rolled out its new B-21 "Raider" jet, the first of a new fleet of long-range stealth nuclear bombers for the United States Air Force. The B-21 was unveiled during a dramatic ceremony at Northrop's Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, offering members of the public the first look at the new bomber. The Air Force planned to buy at least 100 of the planes and begin to replace B-1 and B-2 bombers. More than 8,000 people from Northrop Grumman, industry partners and the Air Force currently work on the program.

☆ Why Saudi Arabia is hosting one of the world's biggest raves
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

The kingdom’s Soundstorm music festival, which began in 2019, is back again for its fourth year and will start on Thursday. “(It) is a particularly powerful example because it seeks to bring together young people and women from across Saudi Arabia and the world,” she said. By contrast, Las Vegas’ Electric Daisy Carnival, considered North America’s biggest dance music festival, had an attendance of over 400,000 this year. Last year, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said that performers should either “speak up” about Saudi Arabia’s human rights violations or not attend the festival at all. Some however argue that opening up countries to international norms and values can allow for better discussion on human rights shortcomings.

☆ Pentagon, U.S. arms makers to meet on labor and supply chain
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( Mike Stone | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Prior meetings between Pentagon officials and top arms makers including Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N), Raytheon Technologies Corp (RTX.N) and General Dynamics Corp (GD.N) were focused on Ukraine and hypersonic weapon development. Pandemic related supply-chain issues are still hurting defense contractors because components and materials fail to arrive on time, which delays production and ultimately payment. read moreTHE LONGEST POLEIn the meantime, the defense industry is taking steps on its own to shore up supplies and labor. "If I had to boil it down to the longest pole in the tent, it's the labor issues that are pervasive throughout the supply chain," Raytheon Chief Financial Officer Neil Mitchill told Reuters. read moreReporting by Mike Stone in Washington; Editing by Alexandra Alper and Stephen CoatesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

The space company was valued at more than $1 billion when private equity firm AE Industrial Partners became its controlling shareholder in March. A FireFly spokesperson declined to comment when asked about the fundraising, as did a spokesperson for AE Industrial Partners. It is among a handful of U.S. space companies vying to launch small satellites into space. SpaceX's bigger Falcon 9 rocket costs $62 million and Rocket Lab's smaller Electron rocket costs $7 million. Venture capital investments in space companies fell 44% from a year earlier, according to a quarterly report from VC firm Space Capital.

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