Topic: How To Invest

Pat: I was just reading about Lockheed Martin … what is your opinion on this stock? Regards.

Article Excerpt

Lockheed Martin, $75.45, symbol LMT on New York (Shares outstanding: 362.5 million; Market cap: $27.4 billion), is the world’s largest defence contractor. The company sells a wide range of products and services to governments and businesses around the world. Lockheed makes space and missile systems, electronics and information systems. The company also makes fighter planes, including the F-16, F-22 and F-35, as well as the C-130 military-transport plane and the Titan rocket. In the three months ended June 27, 2010, Lockheed’s revenue rose 3.3%, to $11.4 billion from $11.1 billion a year earlier. Earnings per share rose 4.8%, to $1.98 from $1.89. The latest earnings beat the consensus estimate of $1.78 a share. All of the company’s business segments contributed to the earnings gain. The company’s balance sheet is strong, with cash of $3.6 billion, or $9.71 a share. Its long-term debt of $5 billion is a low 18.2% of market cap. Lockheed’s prospects heavily depend on the success of its…