Lockheed Martin stock gains on Saudi F-35 approval

Published on 09/20/2026 at 15:33 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

Lockheed Martin stock gained attention after a Saudi F-35 sale worth USD 24.3 billion was approved on September 20, 2026. Zacks put current-quarter EPS at USD 7.28 and sales at USD 20.33 billion.

Rüstungswerk mit Hangar, Radarturm und unmarkiertem Kampfjet in der Abenddämmerung — Fotorealistische Werksanlage von Lockheed Martin (ISIN US5398301094) mit Hangar und unmarkiertem Tarnkappenjet bei Dämmerung, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

Lockheed Martin stock (ISIN US5398301094) gained attention after the U.S. State Department approved a possible USD 24.3 billion F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia on September 20, 2026. The package covers 48 F-35 jets and related equipment, with Lockheed Martin named as a principal contractor in the approval notice.

Saudi deal sets the tone

As Ahram Online reported on September 20, 2026, the State Department approved the possible sale of 48 F-35 Lightning II aircraft, 49 Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines and related support items. The same report names Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company as a principal contractor.

That matters because the package value of USD 24.3 billion is large enough to shape near-term sentiment around the defense group. It also keeps the F-35 program visible at a time when investors are looking for new order catalysts.

Fresh estimates stay high

According to Zacks on September 14, 2026, Lockheed is expected to post EPS of USD 7.28 for the current quarter and sales of USD 20.33 billion. Zacks also said the current fiscal year consensus EPS stands at USD 30.39, up 31.4 percent from the prior year.

Zacks further reported last reported quarterly revenue of USD 20.06 billion and EPS of USD 7.94, compared with USD 19.43 billion and USD 7.29 in the year-earlier quarter. That gives the latest reported quarter a clear comparison base: sales rose 10.5 percent year on year, and EPS was 9.97 percent above consensus.

Stock stays near its range

MarketBeat showed Lockheed Martin at USD 533.86 on September 18, 2026, with a market capitalization of USD 123.21 billion, a 52-week range of USD 437.25 to USD 692.00 and volume of 2.86 million shares. The same snapshot placed the shares 0.79 percent lower on the day and underlined that the stock still trades in the lower half of its yearly band.