Now that sequestration cuts have gone into effect, the U.S. government is on track to trim military spending by brute force. While there’s still hope that intervention can stave off the most draconian military cuts, defense investors should be looking for companies that have already started to shift their business models. BAE Systems PLC (ADR) (OTCMKTS:BAESY) and Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) are two prime examples.
Improving Margins
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) is a military contractor with notable products like the Global Hawk unmanned reconnaissance system, B-2 stealth bomber, F-35 fighter, and Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile. About 40% of its top line comes from aerospace sales, which is a key differentiator, since air supremacy is increasingly important to the U.S. military. In fact, Northrop was the lead contractor on the X-47B unmanned aircraft, which recently landed itself autonomously on an aircraft carrier.
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) shares have gone from around $65 a share to $95 this year; clearly, the market has taken notice of the company’s improving fortunes. That said, the P/E of around 12 is about 30% below the industry’s average. That means there’s still upside potential. And with a yield of about 2.6%, backed by more than a decade of dividend increases, growth and income investors should be pleased with the opportunity.
Note, too, that the company is aggressively buying back stock, acquiring more than 12 million shares in the first half. It wants to repurchase up to 25% of its common stock by the end of 2015. That will boost earnings per share and, in turn, support dividend growth.
Margins and Foreign Business
U.K.-based BAE Systems PLC (ADR) (OTCMKTS:BAESY) provides products and services across almost every aspect of the military world, from repairing warships to providing munitions to aiding in the emerging world of cyberwar. Although sales to the U.S. and U.K. make up the bulk of the company’s business, 20% is from other countries like Australia and Saudi Arabia, where spending isn’t as constrained.
Adjusted from British pounds using historical exchange rates, the company’s sales have gone from about $13.7 billion to $28.3 billion over the past decade. Earnings have been volatile, but came in at around $2 per share last year, down slightly from the previous year. Dividends, meanwhile, depend on performance, so they go up and down regularly.
The real benefit here is that the company’s profit margin has been expanding for three straight years, improving from about 4.5% to around 9%. That’s toward the high end of the company’s recent history. With U.S. military spending likely to shrink, BAE Systems PLC (ADR) (OTCMKTS:BAESY) is focusing on expanding its foreign business while cutting costs to maintain margins.
If sales continue to improve on strength from markets outside The United States, and the company can maintain its margins, profits will follow. At this point, management is looking for margins to be roughly stable over the second half of the year. And more profits should lead to higher dividends.
The company’s P/E is higher than Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC)’s at about 14, but that’s still below the industry’s average, and there’s notable upside potential to the dividend for more aggressive income investors.
Growing in Other Areas
Another option in the military space is to shift to a company where growth isn’t as tied to the military. One of the best choices is The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA).
Only about 40% of the company’s business is tied to military spending; the rest comes from its commercial aircraft business, which currently enjoys brisk growth. Aircraft sales increased 13% in the second quarter, year over year, and 7% for the first half. The company’s backlog, meanwhile, hit a new high at $410 billion.
The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA)’s 2012 revenue was about $80 billion, so the current backlog leads to a fairly solid outlook for the company’s top line over the next four years or so. Boeing also increased its earnings guidance for the year.
On the military side, cost-cutting is the familiar theme. However, strength in The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA)’s Networking and Space Systems business has helped to offset much of the top-line hit from weakness in its other military lines. Cost-cutting also improved the military business’ margins, leading to an increase in this group’s contribution to the bottom line. So management appears to be making the right changes in a competitive business.
For those concerned about sequestration cuts, The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) is a good choice to gain some military exposure without taking on a huge risk. The strength in its commercial aircraft business should be more than sufficient to support its streamlining efforts on the military side. And when the military business turns around, Boeing should be well-positioned to benefit.
The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) trades with a P/E of about 19, above both BAE Systems PLC (ADR) (OTCMKTS:BAESY) and Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC). However, the backlog in the company’s non-military business is more than enough to support that premium valuation. The shares yield around 1.8%.
Looking for Change
Military specialists Northrop and BAE Systems PLC (ADR) (OTCMKTS:BAESY) have been performing well, and they look like they still have more upside potential because they trade at discounts to their peers. They are both worth a look, though investors seeking consistent dividends should stick with Northrop. The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA), meanwhile, provides more growth minded investors access to growing demand for aircraft and a military “kicker” when that business turns around.
The article 2 Military Survivors for a Changing World originally appeared on Fool.com.
Reuben Brewer has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of NOC.
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