This week is going to be the key earnings reporting week for companies tied to aerospace and defense sector stocks.  If there is one area that everyone is expecting to hold up, it is this one.  The recessionary climate has only just started and this one is supposed to be immune in the current environment.  Keep in mind that some of these companies have diversified away from being a pure war and defense sector, but these are still defense companies. 

On Tuesday we’ll get to see earnings out of Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE: LMT), and on Wednesday we’ll see results from Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA) and General Dynamics Corp. (NYSE: GD). Then on Thursday, we’ll see results from L-3 Communications Holdings Inc. (NYSE: LLL), Raytheon Co. (NYSE: RTN), and also from Rockwell Collins Inc. (NYSE: COL).  Ceradyne Inc. (NASDAQ: CRDN) is on the docket for Friday. 

The full previews can be seen as follows:

Tuesday we’ll get to see earnings out of Lockheed Martin Corporation(NYSE: LMT). The estimates for the engineering firm from First Call are$1.63 EPS on $9.69 billion in revenues.  Next quarter estimates are$1.86 EPS on $10.82 million in revenues. Estimates for fiscal Dec-2008are $7.37 EPS on $42.84 million in revenues.  Analysts have an averageprice target north of $119.00, and Lockheed Martin’s 52-week tradingrange is $88.86 to $113.74.

Wednesday we’ll get to see earnings out of Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA). Theestimates for the engineering firm from First Call are $1.35 EPS on$16.52 billion in revenues.  Next quarter estimates are $1.47 EPS on$17.30 billion in revenues. Estimates for fiscal Dec-2008 are $5.93 EPSon $68.95 billion in revenues.  Analysts have an average price targetnorth of $89.00, and Boeing’s 52-week trading range is $71.59 to$107.83.

Wednesday we’ll get to see earnings out of General Dynamics Corp.(NYSE: GD). The estimates for the engineering firm from First Call are$1.29 EPS on $6.89 billion in revenues.  Next quarter estimates are$1.39 EPS on $7.16 billion in revenues. Estimates for fiscal Dec-2008are $5.75 EPS on $29.52 billion in revenues.  Analysts have an averageprice target north of $96.00, and General Dynamics’ 52-week tradingrange is $70.61 to $94.55.

Thursday we’ll get to see earnings out of L-3 Communications HoldingsInc. (NYSE: LLL). The estimates for the communications company fromFirst Call are $1.51 EPS on $3.52 billion in revenues.  Next quarterestimates are $1.58 EPS on $3.51 billion in revenues. Estimates forfiscal Dec-2008 are $6.58 EPS on $14.45 billion in revenues.  Analystshave an average price target north of $120.00, and L-3 Communications’52-week trading range is $88.80 to $15.29.

Thursday we’ll get to see earnings out of Raytheon Co. (NYSE: RTN). Theestimates for the technology company from First Call are $0.84 EPS on$5.12 billion in revenues.  Next quarter estimates are $0.95 EPS on$5.61 billion in revenues. Estimates for fiscal Dec-2008 are $3.89 EPSon $22.82 billion in revenues.  Analysts have an average price targetnorth of $72.00, and Raytheon’s 52-week trading range is $52.28 to$67.49.

Thursday we’ll get to see earnings out of Rockwell Collins Inc. (NYSE:COL). The estimates for the communication and aviator manufacturer fromFirst Call are $0.99 EPS on $1.17 billion in revenues.  Next quarterestimates are $1.00 EPS on $1.21 billion in revenues. Estimates forfiscal Sept-2008 are $4.00 EPS on $4.80 billion in revenues.  Analystshave an average price target of $75.00, and Rockwell Collins’ 52-weektrading range is $53.24 to $76.00.

Friday we’ll get to see earnings out of Ceradyne Inc. (NASDAQ: CRDN).The estimates for the communication and aviator manufacturer from FirstCall are $1.13 EPS on $185.80 million in revenues.  Next quarterestimates are $1.11 EPS on $181.83 million in revenues. Estimates forfiscal Dec-2008 are $4.62 EPS on $749.61 million in revenues.  Analystshave an average price target north of $46.00, and Ceradyne’s 52-weektrading range is $27.77 to $84.41.

Jon C. Ogg
April 21, 2008

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