Lockheed Martin Earnings Expected to Dip Slightly in Q1 2026

Aerospace and defense giant forecasts single-digit profit decline despite record $194 billion backlog

Apr. 6, 2026 at 9:54am

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Lockheed Martin Corporation, the world's largest defense contractor, is set to report its fiscal first-quarter earnings for 2026 later this month. Analysts expect the company to post a profit of $6.73 per share on a diluted basis, down 7.6% from the year-ago quarter, despite a record $194 billion backlog and rising demand for its advanced defense technologies.

Why it matters

Lockheed Martin's quarterly earnings are closely watched as a barometer for the overall health of the aerospace and defense industry. The company's performance and outlook can provide insights into government spending priorities, the impact of global geopolitical tensions, and the pace of technological innovation in the sector.

The details

Lockheed Martin, based in Bethesda, Maryland, is a diversified aerospace and defense company with businesses spanning space, telecommunications, electronics, information and services, aeronautics, energy, and systems integration. Despite the expected single-digit profit dip in the first quarter, the company's full-year EPS is projected to rise 4.9% to $29.93, and further increase 7.8% to $32.27 in fiscal 2027.

  • Lockheed Martin will release its fiscal first-quarter earnings before the market opens on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
  • The company has consistently surpassed Wall Street's EPS estimates in its last four quarterly reports.

The players

Lockheed Martin Corporation

An aerospace and defense company that researches, designs, develops, manufactures, integrates, and sustains technology systems, products, and services. Valued at $143.5 billion by market cap, it is the world's largest defense contractor.

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What’s next

Analysts will be closely watching Lockheed Martin's earnings report and guidance for any insights into the company's future growth prospects and the broader defense industry trends.

The takeaway

Despite the expected single-digit profit decline in the first quarter, Lockheed Martin's robust backlog, investments in next-generation technologies, and positive long-term outlook suggest the company remains well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for advanced defense systems.