BAE Systems stock gains 1.51 percent on LSE

Published on 09/23/2026 at 22:24 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

BAE Systems stock reported GBP 15,772 million in half year sales for 2026, up 9 percent on a constant currency basis. Guidance now targets 8 to 10 percent sales growth.

Fotorealistische Werftszene mit Fregattenrumpf im Trockendock bei Abenddämmerung — BAE Systems plc (ISIN GB0002634946) baut Fregatten in einer großen Werft bei Dämmerung, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

BAE Systems stock (ISIN GB0002634946) gained 1.51 percent to GBp 2,023 on the LSE on September 23, 2026. The move follows half year figures showing GBP 15,772 million in sales and an order backlog of GBP 84.0 billion.

Sales growth supports guidance

BAE Systems reported that half year 2026 sales increased 9 percent on a constant currency basis compared with the first half of 2025. Underlying EBIT rose 11 percent to GBP 1,701 million, while the return on sales increased by 20 basis points to 10.8 percent, according to the company's BAE Systems investor information for half year 2026.

The company raised its full year 2026 targets. Sales are now expected to grow 8 to 10 percent, EBIT 10 to 12 percent and earnings per share 11 to 13 percent, with each range higher than the previous guidance, as detailed in the Eulerpool transcript of the Q2 2026 earnings call.

Order intake exceeds sales

Order intake reached GBP 16.4 billion in the first six months of 2026, exceeding sales for the period. The GBP 84.0 billion backlog therefore represents more than five times the reported half year sales figure, an important measure of revenue visibility.

Cash generation also strengthened the operating picture. Free cash flow reached GBP 1.8 billion in half year 2026, and management expects full year free cash flow to exceed GBP 2 billion. Net debt stood at GBP 3.2 billion, while the company also raised its 2024 to 2026 cash target by GBP 700 million to more than GBP 6.7 billion.

Stock trades near yearly high

BAE Systems stock remains below its 52-week high of GBp 2,360, but the September 23 price of GBp 2,023 is 32.3 percent above the 52-week low of GBp 1,529. The same session showed a gain of GBp 30 from the previous close of GBp 1,993.

The combination of 9 percent sales growth, an 11 percent EBIT increase and upgraded full year targets gives the stock a clear operating reference point. For investors, the GBP 84.0 billion backlog is the central counterweight to the valuation implied by the current market price.

BAE Systems stock gains on results

BAE Systems stock was trading at GBp 2,023 on the LSE on September 23, 2026. The session gain was 1.51 percent, with the market capitalization at GBP 59,284,838,927.