GE to Transform U.S. Military Base into Smart Grid Showcase
Awarded $2 Million in Federal stimulus funds for new, smart microgrid demonstration project that will serve as a model for maximizing energy security, improving efficiency, and supplying clean, renewable power for military bases
NISKAYUNA, N.Y--With the goals of increasing energy security, energy efficiency, and promoting cleaner, alternative energy at U.S. military bases, GE today announced it has been awarded $2 million in Federal stimulus funding from the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) for a smart microgrid demonstration project at Twentynine Palms Base, California. The base is the world's largest Marine Corps Base and it is the premier training facility in the world for Marine operations, drawing military personnel from all over the world for Combined Arms Exercises. GE and the Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) office at DOD are in the process of finalizing a contract for the project.
GE will design and demonstrate a smart energy management system that enables installations to more optimally manage on-site power generation and energy storage, while interacting with the regional electrical grid in a more intelligent and efficient way. Additionally, GE’s system will provide enhanced capabilities for installations to integrate renewable resources, such as solar energy, to help meet their electricity needs and reduce their carbon footprints.
According to the 2009 Defense Appropriations Act, U.S. military installations consumed 3.8 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity last year, enough electricity to power 350,000 households in the United States. In addition to high energy costs for these installations, critical defense facilities must operate seamlessly through a power outage or other infrastructure disturbance. These are two key challenges that a smarter, more intelligent grid management system will help to address.
“GE’s smart microgrid demonstration project will show how a more intelligent energy management system can help military bases further safeguard the operation of their power systems while also reducing overall energy costs,” said John Kern, Manager of GE’s Smart Grid Research Lab. “This project will serve as a model for other bases and it also will demonstrate how similar types of facilities, such as industrial complexes and universities, can take advantage of a smarter grid.”
U.S. military bases typically manage power in two ways: local power is generated on site for critical facility needs; and, the bases are connected to the larger U.S. electrical grid network. As part of the project, GE will provide an enhanced suite of microgrid control system technologies that will enable a military base to more effectively manage its local energy resources as well as the interaction with the larger electrical grid network.
To develop this new system, researchers at GE Global Research in Upstate New York will develop and incorporate advanced algorithms and computational decision engines into a microgrid controller built by GE Digital Energy. This microgrid controller will optimize the power generation and distribution within the microgrid. GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms will also integrate many of these advanced technologies into a new supervisory control and software system that can span power generation and distribution as well as major power consumers within the microgrid.
GE has completed considerable research and development in microgrids in recent years for both the U.S. Department of Energy and the Canadian government. Because microgrids are essentially self-contained systems, they have great potential for enabling a higher penetration of clean, renewable power sources into the electrical distribution network. For contained complexes like a military base that can supplement their own power needs with power generation onsite, microgrids can be an attractive option for bringing more renewable power online.
About GE Global Research
GE Global Research is one of the world's most diversified industrial research labs, providing innovative technology for all of GE's businesses. Global Research has been the cornerstone of GE technology for more than 100 years, developing breakthrough innovations in areas such as medical imaging, energy generation technology, jet engines and lighting. GE Global Research is headquartered in Niskayuna, New York and has facilities in Bangalore, India, Shanghai, China and Munich, Germany. Visit GE Global Research at www.ge.com/research.
Contacts GEPatrick Jarvis, 518-387-6284 (Media)patrick.jarvis@ge.com Research defense stocks with the global defense stocks directory at Investorideas.com
click here:
http://www.investorideas.com/Companies/HomelandDefense/Stock_List.asp
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Re-release of Report on “Cyber Security: The Next Great Defense Opportunity” Following Recent Cyber Attacks on White House, DOD, NYSE, Washington Post
Homelanddefensestocks.com Re-release of Report on “Cyber Security: The Next Great Defense Opportunity” Following Recent Cyber Attacks on White House, DOD, NYSE, Washington Post
POINT ROBERTS, Wash., DELTA, B.C. –July 8, 2009 – www.HomelandDefenseStocks.com, a leading global investor and industry portal for the defense and security sector, within Investorideas.com, re- releases “Cyber Security: The Next Great Defense Opportunity ”, by Lisa Springer, CFA, as attention builds on the cyber security sector following recent cyber attacks on White House, DOD, NYSE, Washington Post and other leading sites.
Cyber Security: The Next Great Defense Opportunity
(Originally released June 16, 2009)
Lisa Springer CFA, Equity research analyst and financial writer
Defense Stocks: Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT), Raytheon (NYSE:RTN), Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC), AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV), Optex Systems (OTCBB: OPXS), General Dynamics (NYSE:GD)
Many defense contractors look for huge growth opportunities in the market for cyber security. Bruce Tanner, the CFO of Lockheed Martin, recently identified cyber security as the quickest, near-term defense opportunity, with market growth well exceeding DoD growth rates. Tanner also believes cyber security margins will be comparable to DoD contracts. Lockheed has begun focusing M&A activity in the global security area and anticipates additional cyber security acquisitions this year.
Both Boeing (NYSE:BA) and Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) are eager to gain share in this $7.4 billion market and have formed business units to tap cyber security spending. Boeing created its Cyber Solutions division last August and Lockheed launched its cyber-defense unit last October.
To address cyber security opportunities, Raytheon (NYSE:RTN) has acquired three network security providers, plans to hire 300 certified security engineers this year, and is partnering with University of Texas researchers on new cyber solutions. Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) is also expanding cyber security capacity and was recently awarded a DoD contract for the National Cyber Range, part of a major government-wide effort to improve the nation’s defense against electronic attacks.
The need for a national cyber security plan is becoming increasingly evident as cyber attacks on U.S. agencies and civilian facilities cost the U.S. billions of dollars annually. The problem is getting worse; security breaches of government and private computer networks nearly doubled last year to 72,000. In response, the government is increasing spending for cyber security, which is forecast to rise by 44% to $10.7 billion in 2013. The Bush administration launched a cyber initiative last year funded at around $6 billion and the Obama administration is making cyber security an even higher priority.
President Obama earmarked $355 billion for cyber security in his 2010 fiscal budget and also announced plans to name a cyber security czar, who will have broad authority and likely serve on the National Security Council. Last month, the White House published a cyber security report with guidelines for strategies ranging from communications networks for emergency response teams to the government’s role in protecting infrastructure. The report followed a 60 day review of current government cyber security initiatives and was ordered by Obama shortly after he took office.
Many investors think increased government spending for cyber security will offset revenues lost by defense contractors due to military spending cuts. Share prices for many defense contractors are continuing to rise despite program cuts under the new defense budget. Since early April when the new budget was announced, Lockheed shares have climbed 18%, Boeing shares have jumped 39%, General Dynamic shares have gained 34% and Raytheon shares have improved 11%. This compared to a 13% rise in the S&P 500 during the same period.
In addition, earnings for this group remain strong; most large defense contractors recorded EPS gains and increased EPS guidance after the March 2009 quarter. Lockheed Martin raised full-year guidance by 10 cents to $7.15-47.35, Northrop Grumman increased guidance by 15 cents to $4.65-$4.90, and Raytheon boosted guidance by 10 cents to $4.55-4.70. Boeing was a notable exception; earnings for its defense business fell 18% year-over-year and Boeing cut full-year guidance by 35 cents to $4.70-$5.00.
Small defense contractors providing tools for existing military operations will benefit from $130 billion in funding for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars in the new defense budget. An $83.4 billion war-time supplement request has been submitted to Congress to cover Iraq/Afghanistan costs through the second half of 2009.
Shares of AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV) have jumped 15% since the new defense budget was announced. This company manufactures unmanned military drones used in Afghanistan and Pakistan. In June, AeroVironment received orders for a third global observer aircraft, the sixth contract option exercised under a program cumulatively valued at $120 million.
Newly-public Optex Systems (OTCBB: OPXS) manufactures optical sighting systems for large Howitzer guns used to shell insurgent positions in Afghanistan. During the March quarter, Optex grew revenues nearly 20% and cut its net loss by half. Excluding non-cash intangible expense, the company would have recorded positive net income. Prior to the earnings release, Optex signed a new $7.5 million contract with the U.S. Army for laser-protected periscopes. The company’s shares began trading in early May and quickly climbed to $0.45 before retreating to the current $0.25 range.
General Dynamics (NYSE:GD) is capitalizing on contracting opportunities in sensors and imaging by acquiring Axsys Technology (NASDAQ:AXYS), a manufacturer of high-performance sensors, in a transaction valued at $54 per share, a premium to Axys’ pre-merger share price. Axsys competes with Optex in military applications for sensors and imaging. This acquisition will likely focus increased attention on the optical sensor space and may cause Optex to emerge as an attractive takeover candidate.
Lisa Springer Bio/ Disclaimer: http://www.investorideas.com/About/Lisa-Springer-CFA/
Original article – Defense Budget Winners and Losers May 6th
How Defense Companies Boeing (NYSE:BA), Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC), General Dynamics (NYSE:GD), Optex Systems Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB: OPXS) and others are Impacted
Optex Systems Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB: OPXS) is a featured defense stock and showcase company on Investor Ideas defense investor portals, Homelandefensestocks.com, BorderandPortsecurity.com and http://www.nationalhomelandsecurityknowledgebase.com
Visit Optex Systems Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB: OPXS) Company Profile: http://www.investorideas.com/CO/OPTEX/
About Homelanddefensestocks.com- HomelandDefenseStocks.com Portal is a global meeting place for investors and industry following defense and security, within Investorideas.com. Global visitors use the site daily to research the latest news, articles, audio, research reports and stock directories.
Defense Stocks Directory: http://www.investorideas.com/Companies/HomelandDefense/Stock_List.asp
About InvestorIdeas.com:
InvestorIdeas.com is a leading global investor and industry research resource portal specialized in sector investing covering over thirty industry sectors and global markets including China, India, the Middle East and Australia.
InvestorIdeas.com Disclaimer.: www.InvestorIdeas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp
Our sites do not make recommendations, but offer information portals to investors to research news, articles, stock lists and recent research. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. We attempt to research thoroughly, but we offer no guarantees as to the accuracy of any information presented. All information relating to featured companies is sourced from public documents and/ or the company and is not the opinion of our web sites. This site is compensated by featured companies, news submissions and online advertising. OPXS Disclosure: Optex is a featured showcase company and compensates Investorideas.com $3000 month and sixty two thousand 144 shares issued quarterly.
For more information contact: Dawn Van Zant 800.665.0411 Email: dvanzant@HomelandDefenseStocks.com
Source: HomelandDefenseStocks.com, Investor Ideas, Optex Systems Holdings Inc. (OTCBB: OPXS)Research defense stocks with the global defense stocks directory at Investorideas.com
click here:
http://www.investorideas.com/Companies/HomelandDefense/Stock_List.asp
POINT ROBERTS, Wash., DELTA, B.C. –July 8, 2009 – www.HomelandDefenseStocks.com, a leading global investor and industry portal for the defense and security sector, within Investorideas.com, re- releases “Cyber Security: The Next Great Defense Opportunity ”, by Lisa Springer, CFA, as attention builds on the cyber security sector following recent cyber attacks on White House, DOD, NYSE, Washington Post and other leading sites.
Cyber Security: The Next Great Defense Opportunity
(Originally released June 16, 2009)
Lisa Springer CFA, Equity research analyst and financial writer
Defense Stocks: Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT), Raytheon (NYSE:RTN), Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC), AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV), Optex Systems (OTCBB: OPXS), General Dynamics (NYSE:GD)
Many defense contractors look for huge growth opportunities in the market for cyber security. Bruce Tanner, the CFO of Lockheed Martin, recently identified cyber security as the quickest, near-term defense opportunity, with market growth well exceeding DoD growth rates. Tanner also believes cyber security margins will be comparable to DoD contracts. Lockheed has begun focusing M&A activity in the global security area and anticipates additional cyber security acquisitions this year.
Both Boeing (NYSE:BA) and Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) are eager to gain share in this $7.4 billion market and have formed business units to tap cyber security spending. Boeing created its Cyber Solutions division last August and Lockheed launched its cyber-defense unit last October.
To address cyber security opportunities, Raytheon (NYSE:RTN) has acquired three network security providers, plans to hire 300 certified security engineers this year, and is partnering with University of Texas researchers on new cyber solutions. Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) is also expanding cyber security capacity and was recently awarded a DoD contract for the National Cyber Range, part of a major government-wide effort to improve the nation’s defense against electronic attacks.
The need for a national cyber security plan is becoming increasingly evident as cyber attacks on U.S. agencies and civilian facilities cost the U.S. billions of dollars annually. The problem is getting worse; security breaches of government and private computer networks nearly doubled last year to 72,000. In response, the government is increasing spending for cyber security, which is forecast to rise by 44% to $10.7 billion in 2013. The Bush administration launched a cyber initiative last year funded at around $6 billion and the Obama administration is making cyber security an even higher priority.
President Obama earmarked $355 billion for cyber security in his 2010 fiscal budget and also announced plans to name a cyber security czar, who will have broad authority and likely serve on the National Security Council. Last month, the White House published a cyber security report with guidelines for strategies ranging from communications networks for emergency response teams to the government’s role in protecting infrastructure. The report followed a 60 day review of current government cyber security initiatives and was ordered by Obama shortly after he took office.
Many investors think increased government spending for cyber security will offset revenues lost by defense contractors due to military spending cuts. Share prices for many defense contractors are continuing to rise despite program cuts under the new defense budget. Since early April when the new budget was announced, Lockheed shares have climbed 18%, Boeing shares have jumped 39%, General Dynamic shares have gained 34% and Raytheon shares have improved 11%. This compared to a 13% rise in the S&P 500 during the same period.
In addition, earnings for this group remain strong; most large defense contractors recorded EPS gains and increased EPS guidance after the March 2009 quarter. Lockheed Martin raised full-year guidance by 10 cents to $7.15-47.35, Northrop Grumman increased guidance by 15 cents to $4.65-$4.90, and Raytheon boosted guidance by 10 cents to $4.55-4.70. Boeing was a notable exception; earnings for its defense business fell 18% year-over-year and Boeing cut full-year guidance by 35 cents to $4.70-$5.00.
Small defense contractors providing tools for existing military operations will benefit from $130 billion in funding for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars in the new defense budget. An $83.4 billion war-time supplement request has been submitted to Congress to cover Iraq/Afghanistan costs through the second half of 2009.
Shares of AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV) have jumped 15% since the new defense budget was announced. This company manufactures unmanned military drones used in Afghanistan and Pakistan. In June, AeroVironment received orders for a third global observer aircraft, the sixth contract option exercised under a program cumulatively valued at $120 million.
Newly-public Optex Systems (OTCBB: OPXS) manufactures optical sighting systems for large Howitzer guns used to shell insurgent positions in Afghanistan. During the March quarter, Optex grew revenues nearly 20% and cut its net loss by half. Excluding non-cash intangible expense, the company would have recorded positive net income. Prior to the earnings release, Optex signed a new $7.5 million contract with the U.S. Army for laser-protected periscopes. The company’s shares began trading in early May and quickly climbed to $0.45 before retreating to the current $0.25 range.
General Dynamics (NYSE:GD) is capitalizing on contracting opportunities in sensors and imaging by acquiring Axsys Technology (NASDAQ:AXYS), a manufacturer of high-performance sensors, in a transaction valued at $54 per share, a premium to Axys’ pre-merger share price. Axsys competes with Optex in military applications for sensors and imaging. This acquisition will likely focus increased attention on the optical sensor space and may cause Optex to emerge as an attractive takeover candidate.
Lisa Springer Bio/ Disclaimer: http://www.investorideas.com/About/Lisa-Springer-CFA/
Original article – Defense Budget Winners and Losers May 6th
How Defense Companies Boeing (NYSE:BA), Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC), General Dynamics (NYSE:GD), Optex Systems Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB: OPXS) and others are Impacted
Optex Systems Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB: OPXS) is a featured defense stock and showcase company on Investor Ideas defense investor portals, Homelandefensestocks.com, BorderandPortsecurity.com and http://www.nationalhomelandsecurityknowledgebase.com
Visit Optex Systems Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB: OPXS) Company Profile: http://www.investorideas.com/CO/OPTEX/
About Homelanddefensestocks.com- HomelandDefenseStocks.com Portal is a global meeting place for investors and industry following defense and security, within Investorideas.com. Global visitors use the site daily to research the latest news, articles, audio, research reports and stock directories.
Defense Stocks Directory: http://www.investorideas.com/Companies/HomelandDefense/Stock_List.asp
About InvestorIdeas.com:
InvestorIdeas.com is a leading global investor and industry research resource portal specialized in sector investing covering over thirty industry sectors and global markets including China, India, the Middle East and Australia.
InvestorIdeas.com Disclaimer.: www.InvestorIdeas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp
Our sites do not make recommendations, but offer information portals to investors to research news, articles, stock lists and recent research. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. We attempt to research thoroughly, but we offer no guarantees as to the accuracy of any information presented. All information relating to featured companies is sourced from public documents and/ or the company and is not the opinion of our web sites. This site is compensated by featured companies, news submissions and online advertising. OPXS Disclosure: Optex is a featured showcase company and compensates Investorideas.com $3000 month and sixty two thousand 144 shares issued quarterly.
For more information contact: Dawn Van Zant 800.665.0411 Email: dvanzant@HomelandDefenseStocks.com
Source: HomelandDefenseStocks.com, Investor Ideas, Optex Systems Holdings Inc. (OTCBB: OPXS)Research defense stocks with the global defense stocks directory at Investorideas.com
click here:
http://www.investorideas.com/Companies/HomelandDefense/Stock_List.asp
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Investor Ideas Membership Now Includes Stock Directories for Natural Gas Stocks,Biotech Stocks, Defense Stocks
Investor Ideas Membership Now Includes Stock Directories for Natural Gas Stocks, Renewable Energy Stocks, Water Stocks, Environment Stocks, Fuel Cell Stocks, Biotech Stocks, Defense Stocks
What makes our stock directories unique? Directories Include Micro-cap OTC stocks, TSX, NASDAQ, NYSE stocks as well as public companies on global stock exchanges
- www.InvestorIdeas.com, one of the first online investor resources providing in-depth information on renewable energy, water and Homeland Security, has recently added the Natural Gas Stocks Directory to the growing list of stock directories for Investor Ideas members.
The Natural gas stocks directory is available to all investors in a preview format that also features investor trading tools on the side bar including stock charts, analyst commentary and more.
Investorideas.com membership gives full login access to the Water Stocks Directory, Renewable Energy Stocks Directory , Environment Stocks, Fuel cell Stocks, Natural Gas Stocks, Biotech Stocks Directory , Defense Stocks Directory and the Insiders Corner Investing Stock Newsletter.
Learn more about InvestorIdeas.com membership: http://www.investorideas.com/membership/
From China stocks to renewable energy to gaming and tech, the stock directories provide investors with an initial starting point of due diligence for each sector. To meet the full range of investor needs and preferences, the directories include stocks listed on the TSX, OTCBB, NASDAQ, NYSE and global exchanges.
To review the full list of stock directories available to investors : Water Stocks, Renewable Energy and Green Stocks, Energy Stocks, Oilsands Stocks, Mining Stocks, Homeland Defense Stocks, Nanotech Stocks, Biotech Stocks, RFID Stocks, Music Stocks, Homebuilder Stocks, Digital Media and more: Visit
http://www.investorideas.com/dirs/stocklist.asp
Investor Ideas Stock Directories in the News ... San Francisco Chronicle
Investor Ideas: Say you want to invest in stocks involved in the wireless industry but you don't know where to start. Investor Ideas ( www.investorideas.com) maintains amazingly comprehensive lists of stocks in a variety of industries including homeland security, renewable energy, natural gas, coal, gaming, food and beverage, and many more. The site doesn't just list the stocks; it includes a paragraph describing each firm's business. Many of the stocks listed are tiny firms that are too risky for most investors. Nevertheless, it's a good place to start your research. Full Investing article -Web sites give tips for savvy investing
About InvestorIdeas.com:
Investorideas.com creates a meeting place for investing ideas to take form and come to life in an entrepreneurial environment, servicing the needs of small investors and start- up companies to large conglomerates! We cover multiple industry sectors but specialize in environmental and water.
Disclaimer: Our sites do not make recommendations. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. We attempt to research thoroughly, but we offer no guarantees as to the accuracy of information presented. All Information relating to featured companies is sourced from public documents and/ or the company and is not the opinion of our web sites. This site is currently compensated by featured companies, news submissions and online advertising. www.InvestorIdeas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp
For Additional Information:
Dawn Van Zant: 800-665-0411 - dvanzant@investorideas.com
Source – Investorideas.com
Research defense stocks with the global defense stocks directory at Investorideas.com
click here:
http://www.investorideas.com/Companies/HomelandDefense/Stock_List.asp
What makes our stock directories unique? Directories Include Micro-cap OTC stocks, TSX, NASDAQ, NYSE stocks as well as public companies on global stock exchanges
- www.InvestorIdeas.com, one of the first online investor resources providing in-depth information on renewable energy, water and Homeland Security, has recently added the Natural Gas Stocks Directory to the growing list of stock directories for Investor Ideas members.
The Natural gas stocks directory is available to all investors in a preview format that also features investor trading tools on the side bar including stock charts, analyst commentary and more.
Investorideas.com membership gives full login access to the Water Stocks Directory, Renewable Energy Stocks Directory , Environment Stocks, Fuel cell Stocks, Natural Gas Stocks, Biotech Stocks Directory , Defense Stocks Directory and the Insiders Corner Investing Stock Newsletter.
Learn more about InvestorIdeas.com membership: http://www.investorideas.com/membership/
From China stocks to renewable energy to gaming and tech, the stock directories provide investors with an initial starting point of due diligence for each sector. To meet the full range of investor needs and preferences, the directories include stocks listed on the TSX, OTCBB, NASDAQ, NYSE and global exchanges.
To review the full list of stock directories available to investors : Water Stocks, Renewable Energy and Green Stocks, Energy Stocks, Oilsands Stocks, Mining Stocks, Homeland Defense Stocks, Nanotech Stocks, Biotech Stocks, RFID Stocks, Music Stocks, Homebuilder Stocks, Digital Media and more: Visit
http://www.investorideas.com/dirs/stocklist.asp
Investor Ideas Stock Directories in the News ... San Francisco Chronicle
Investor Ideas: Say you want to invest in stocks involved in the wireless industry but you don't know where to start. Investor Ideas ( www.investorideas.com) maintains amazingly comprehensive lists of stocks in a variety of industries including homeland security, renewable energy, natural gas, coal, gaming, food and beverage, and many more. The site doesn't just list the stocks; it includes a paragraph describing each firm's business. Many of the stocks listed are tiny firms that are too risky for most investors. Nevertheless, it's a good place to start your research. Full Investing article -Web sites give tips for savvy investing
About InvestorIdeas.com:
Investorideas.com creates a meeting place for investing ideas to take form and come to life in an entrepreneurial environment, servicing the needs of small investors and start- up companies to large conglomerates! We cover multiple industry sectors but specialize in environmental and water.
Disclaimer: Our sites do not make recommendations. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. We attempt to research thoroughly, but we offer no guarantees as to the accuracy of information presented. All Information relating to featured companies is sourced from public documents and/ or the company and is not the opinion of our web sites. This site is currently compensated by featured companies, news submissions and online advertising. www.InvestorIdeas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp
For Additional Information:
Dawn Van Zant: 800-665-0411 - dvanzant@investorideas.com
Source – Investorideas.com
Research defense stocks with the global defense stocks directory at Investorideas.com
click here:
http://www.investorideas.com/Companies/HomelandDefense/Stock_List.asp
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Defense Investing- Cyber Security: The Next Great Defense Opportunity
POINT ROBERTS, Wash., DELTA, B.C. –June 16, 2009 – www.HomelandDefenseStocks.com, a leading global investor and industry portal for the defense and security sector, within Investorideas.com, presents a follow-up to the May 6th feature on defense stocks, “Defense Budget Winners and Losers”, by Lisa Springer, CFA, as attention builds on the cyber security sector.
Cyber Security: The Next Great Defense Opportunity
Lisa Springer CFA, Equity research analyst and financial writer
Defense Stocks: Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT), Raytheon (NYSE:RTN), Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC), AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV), Optex Systems (OTCBB: OPXS), General Dynamics (NYSE:GD)
Many defense contractors look for huge growth opportunities in the market for cyber security. Bruce Tanner, the CFO of Lockheed Martin, recently identified cyber security as the quickest, near-term defense opportunity, with market growth well exceeding DoD growth rates. Tanner also believes cyber security margins will be comparable to DoD contracts. Lockheed has begun focusing M&A activity in the global security area and anticipates additional cyber security acquisitions this year.
Both Boeing (NYSE:BA) and Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) are eager to gain share in this $7.4 billion market and have formed business units to tap cyber security spending. Boeing created its Cyber Solutions division last August and Lockheed launched its cyber-defense unit last October.
To address cyber security opportunities, Raytheon (NYSE:RTN) has acquired three network security providers, plans to hire 300 certified security engineers this year, and is partnering with University of Texas researchers on new cyber solutions. Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) is also expanding cyber security capacity and was recently awarded a DoD contract for the National Cyber Range, part of a major government-wide effort to improve the nation’s defense against electronic attacks.
The need for a national cyber security plan is becoming increasingly evident as cyber attacks on U.S. agencies and civilian facilities cost the U.S. billions of dollars annually. The problem is getting worse; security breaches of government and private computer networks nearly doubled last year to 72,000. In response, the government is increasing spending for cyber security, which is forecast to rise by 44% to $10.7 billion in 2013. The Bush administration launched a cyber initiative last year funded at around $6 billion and the Obama administration is making cyber security an even higher priority.
President Obama earmarked $355 billion for cyber security in his 2010 fiscal budget and also announced plans to name a cyber security czar, who will have broad authority and likely serve on the National Security Council. Last month, the White House published a cyber security report with guidelines for strategies ranging from communications networks for emergency response teams to the government’s role in protecting infrastructure. The report followed a 60 day review of current government cyber security initiatives and was ordered by Obama shortly after he took office.
Many investors think increased government spending for cyber security will offset revenues lost by defense contractors due to military spending cuts. Share prices for many defense contractors are continuing to rise despite program cuts under the new defense budget. Since early April when the new budget was announced, Lockheed shares have climbed 18%, Boeing shares have jumped 39%, General Dynamic shares have gained 34% and Raytheon shares have improved 11%. This compared to a 13% rise in the S&P 500 during the same period.
In addition, earnings for this group remain strong; most large defense contractors recorded EPS gains and increased EPS guidance after the March 2009 quarter. Lockheed Martin raised full-year guidance by 10 cents to $7.15-47.35, Northrop Grumman increased guidance by 15 cents to $4.65-$4.90, and Raytheon boosted guidance by 10 cents to $4.55-4.70. Boeing was a notable exception; earnings for its defense business fell 18% year-over-year and Boeing cut full-year guidance by 35 cents to $4.70-$5.00.
Small defense contractors providing tools for existing military operations will benefit from $130 billion in funding for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars in the new defense budget. An $83.4 billion war-time supplement request has been submitted to Congress to cover Iraq/Afghanistan costs through the second half of 2009.
Shares of AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV) have jumped 15% since the new defense budget was announced. This company manufactures unmanned military drones used in Afghanistan and Pakistan. In June, AeroVironment received orders for a third global observer aircraft, the sixth contract option exercised under a program cumulatively valued at $120 million.
Newly-public Optex Systems (OTCBB: OPXS) manufactures optical sighting systems for large Howitzer guns used to shell insurgent positions in Afghanistan. During the March quarter, Optex grew revenues nearly 20% and cut its net loss by half. Excluding non-cash intangible expense, the company would have recorded positive net income. Prior to the earnings release, Optex signed a new $7.5 million contract with the U.S. Army for laser-protected periscopes. The company’s shares began trading in early May and quickly climbed to $0.45 before retreating to the current $0.25 range.
General Dynamics (NYSE:GD) is capitalizing on contracting opportunities in sensors and imaging by acquiring Axsys Technology (NASDAQ:AXYS), a manufacturer of high-performance sensors, in a transaction valued at $54 per share, a premium to Axys’ pre-merger share price. Axsys competes with Optex in military applications for sensors and imaging. This acquisition will likely focus increased attention on the optical sensor space and may cause Optex to emerge as an attractive takeover candidate.
Lisa Springer Bio/ Disclaimer: http://www.investorideas.com/About/Lisa-Springer-CFA/
Original article – Defense Budget Winners and Losers May 6th
How Defense Companies Boeing (NYSE:BA), Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC), General Dynamics (NYSE:GD), Optex Systems Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB:OPXS) and others are Impacted
Optex Systems Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB: OPXS) is a featured defense stock and showcase company on Investor Ideas defense investor portals, Homelandefensestocks.com, BorderandPortsecurity.com and http://www.nationalhomelandsecurityknowledgebase.com
Visit Optex Systems Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB: OPXS) Company Profile: http://www.investorideas.com/CO/OPTEX/
About Homelanddefensestocks.com- HomelandDefenseStocks.com Portal is a global meeting place for investors and industry following defense and security, within Investorideas.com. Global visitors use the site daily to research the latest news, articles, audio, research reports and stock directories.
Defense Stocks Directory: http://www.investorideas.com/Companies/HomelandDefense/Stock_List.asp
About InvestorIdeas.com:
InvestorIdeas.com is a leading global investor and industry research resource portal specialized in sector investing covering over thirty industry sectors and global markets including China, India, the Middle East and Australia.
InvestorIdeas.com Disclaimer.: www.InvestorIdeas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp
Our sites do not make recommendations, but offer information portals to investors to research news, articles, stock lists and recent research. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. We attempt to research thoroughly, but we offer no guarantees as to the accuracy of any information presented. All information relating to featured companies is sourced from public documents and/ or the company and is not the opinion of our web sites. This site is compensated by featured companies, news submissions and online advertising. OPXS Disclosure: Optex is a featured showcase company and compensates Investorideas.com $3000 month and sixty two thousand 144 shares issued quarterly.
For more information contact: Dawn Van Zant 800.665.0411 Email: dvanzant@HomelandDefenseStocks.com
Source: HomelandDefenseStocks.com, Investor Ideas, Optex Systems Holdings Inc. (OTCBB: OPXS)
Research defense stocks with the global defense stocks directory at Investorideas.com
click here:
http://www.investorideas.com/Companies/HomelandDefense/Stock_List.asp
Cyber Security: The Next Great Defense Opportunity
Lisa Springer CFA, Equity research analyst and financial writer
Defense Stocks: Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT), Raytheon (NYSE:RTN), Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC), AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV), Optex Systems (OTCBB: OPXS), General Dynamics (NYSE:GD)
Many defense contractors look for huge growth opportunities in the market for cyber security. Bruce Tanner, the CFO of Lockheed Martin, recently identified cyber security as the quickest, near-term defense opportunity, with market growth well exceeding DoD growth rates. Tanner also believes cyber security margins will be comparable to DoD contracts. Lockheed has begun focusing M&A activity in the global security area and anticipates additional cyber security acquisitions this year.
Both Boeing (NYSE:BA) and Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) are eager to gain share in this $7.4 billion market and have formed business units to tap cyber security spending. Boeing created its Cyber Solutions division last August and Lockheed launched its cyber-defense unit last October.
To address cyber security opportunities, Raytheon (NYSE:RTN) has acquired three network security providers, plans to hire 300 certified security engineers this year, and is partnering with University of Texas researchers on new cyber solutions. Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) is also expanding cyber security capacity and was recently awarded a DoD contract for the National Cyber Range, part of a major government-wide effort to improve the nation’s defense against electronic attacks.
The need for a national cyber security plan is becoming increasingly evident as cyber attacks on U.S. agencies and civilian facilities cost the U.S. billions of dollars annually. The problem is getting worse; security breaches of government and private computer networks nearly doubled last year to 72,000. In response, the government is increasing spending for cyber security, which is forecast to rise by 44% to $10.7 billion in 2013. The Bush administration launched a cyber initiative last year funded at around $6 billion and the Obama administration is making cyber security an even higher priority.
President Obama earmarked $355 billion for cyber security in his 2010 fiscal budget and also announced plans to name a cyber security czar, who will have broad authority and likely serve on the National Security Council. Last month, the White House published a cyber security report with guidelines for strategies ranging from communications networks for emergency response teams to the government’s role in protecting infrastructure. The report followed a 60 day review of current government cyber security initiatives and was ordered by Obama shortly after he took office.
Many investors think increased government spending for cyber security will offset revenues lost by defense contractors due to military spending cuts. Share prices for many defense contractors are continuing to rise despite program cuts under the new defense budget. Since early April when the new budget was announced, Lockheed shares have climbed 18%, Boeing shares have jumped 39%, General Dynamic shares have gained 34% and Raytheon shares have improved 11%. This compared to a 13% rise in the S&P 500 during the same period.
In addition, earnings for this group remain strong; most large defense contractors recorded EPS gains and increased EPS guidance after the March 2009 quarter. Lockheed Martin raised full-year guidance by 10 cents to $7.15-47.35, Northrop Grumman increased guidance by 15 cents to $4.65-$4.90, and Raytheon boosted guidance by 10 cents to $4.55-4.70. Boeing was a notable exception; earnings for its defense business fell 18% year-over-year and Boeing cut full-year guidance by 35 cents to $4.70-$5.00.
Small defense contractors providing tools for existing military operations will benefit from $130 billion in funding for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars in the new defense budget. An $83.4 billion war-time supplement request has been submitted to Congress to cover Iraq/Afghanistan costs through the second half of 2009.
Shares of AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV) have jumped 15% since the new defense budget was announced. This company manufactures unmanned military drones used in Afghanistan and Pakistan. In June, AeroVironment received orders for a third global observer aircraft, the sixth contract option exercised under a program cumulatively valued at $120 million.
Newly-public Optex Systems (OTCBB: OPXS) manufactures optical sighting systems for large Howitzer guns used to shell insurgent positions in Afghanistan. During the March quarter, Optex grew revenues nearly 20% and cut its net loss by half. Excluding non-cash intangible expense, the company would have recorded positive net income. Prior to the earnings release, Optex signed a new $7.5 million contract with the U.S. Army for laser-protected periscopes. The company’s shares began trading in early May and quickly climbed to $0.45 before retreating to the current $0.25 range.
General Dynamics (NYSE:GD) is capitalizing on contracting opportunities in sensors and imaging by acquiring Axsys Technology (NASDAQ:AXYS), a manufacturer of high-performance sensors, in a transaction valued at $54 per share, a premium to Axys’ pre-merger share price. Axsys competes with Optex in military applications for sensors and imaging. This acquisition will likely focus increased attention on the optical sensor space and may cause Optex to emerge as an attractive takeover candidate.
Lisa Springer Bio/ Disclaimer: http://www.investorideas.com/About/Lisa-Springer-CFA/
Original article – Defense Budget Winners and Losers May 6th
How Defense Companies Boeing (NYSE:BA), Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC), General Dynamics (NYSE:GD), Optex Systems Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB:OPXS) and others are Impacted
Optex Systems Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB: OPXS) is a featured defense stock and showcase company on Investor Ideas defense investor portals, Homelandefensestocks.com, BorderandPortsecurity.com and http://www.nationalhomelandsecurityknowledgebase.com
Visit Optex Systems Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB: OPXS) Company Profile: http://www.investorideas.com/CO/OPTEX/
About Homelanddefensestocks.com- HomelandDefenseStocks.com Portal is a global meeting place for investors and industry following defense and security, within Investorideas.com. Global visitors use the site daily to research the latest news, articles, audio, research reports and stock directories.
Defense Stocks Directory: http://www.investorideas.com/Companies/HomelandDefense/Stock_List.asp
About InvestorIdeas.com:
InvestorIdeas.com is a leading global investor and industry research resource portal specialized in sector investing covering over thirty industry sectors and global markets including China, India, the Middle East and Australia.
InvestorIdeas.com Disclaimer.: www.InvestorIdeas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp
Our sites do not make recommendations, but offer information portals to investors to research news, articles, stock lists and recent research. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. We attempt to research thoroughly, but we offer no guarantees as to the accuracy of any information presented. All information relating to featured companies is sourced from public documents and/ or the company and is not the opinion of our web sites. This site is compensated by featured companies, news submissions and online advertising. OPXS Disclosure: Optex is a featured showcase company and compensates Investorideas.com $3000 month and sixty two thousand 144 shares issued quarterly.
For more information contact: Dawn Van Zant 800.665.0411 Email: dvanzant@HomelandDefenseStocks.com
Source: HomelandDefenseStocks.com, Investor Ideas, Optex Systems Holdings Inc. (OTCBB: OPXS)
Research defense stocks with the global defense stocks directory at Investorideas.com
click here:
http://www.investorideas.com/Companies/HomelandDefense/Stock_List.asp
Monday, June 8, 2009
Homeland Defense Stocks Spade Defense Index Commentary for June 2009; Ten Keys for Investing in Defense over the Next Six Months
Homeland Defense Stocks Spade Defense Index Commentary for June 2009; Ten Keys for Investing in Defense over the Next Six Months
POINT ROBERTS, Wash., DELTA, B.C. –June 8, 2009 – www.HomelandDefenseStocks.com (HDS), a leading global investor and industry portal for the defense and security sector, within Investorideas.com, provides interested defense stocks investors with sector commentary from Scott Sacknoff, manager of the SPADE® Defense Index.
Ten Keys for Investing in Defense Over the Next Six Months
By Scott Sacknoff, SPADE Indexes
The following is our commentary from the June 2009 “The SPADE Investor” newsletter.
Specifics of the FY2010 Defense Department budget were finally made available in early May and there were few surprises from the information that was leaked over the previous weeks. A number of large programs were cancelled or scaled back including major initiatives such as the Future Combat System, Transformational Satellite TSAT, and the presidential helicopter, but each were “replaced” with other programs that are designed to meet the ongoing needs of the agency. In fact, despite the cancellation of the multi-billion TSAT program, spending on new communications satellites in FY10 rose.
Analysts have now shifted their attention toward gathering information on the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) which will be the guide for the FY-2011 to FY-2015 budgets -- although final details are not due until next February. While a number of analysts think defense spending has peaked with the FY-10 budget, dramatic cuts in future budgets is meeting with resistance from a number of current and former members of the executive branch and Congress as well as military officials.
So with investors starting to look again toward the sector, it appears as if the recent decline in share prices over the past nine months went too far. Which brings us to the top 10 keys for the next six months.
Ten Keys for the Next Six Months (and Beyond)
1. The FY10 Budget is Released. The budget has always been the most important factor in determining the health of the sector and the companies that will benefit. With the base budget for FY 2010 showing a 5.6% growth ($5.7 billion) in procurement and another supplemental spending package to fund war efforts through the rest of 2009 coming, the issue has been put to rest for the time being.
2. Global Tension: North Korea and Iran. The launch of rockets by Iran and North Korea as well as their nuclear interests have raised the potential that something might happen. Fears that Israel may act in Iran before the U.S. are rising.
3. Rebound in Commercial Aerospace. The global recession and the collapse of the financial system had little impact on defense spending but commercial activities suffered. With roughly 20% of the defense sector maintaining commercial aerospace operations, an improving economy is showing benefits. The first test flights and delivery of the Boeing 787 will an additional provide a boost to the sector.
4. Positive Press Over the Next Month from the Paris Air Show. The improving commercial sector be showcased at the mid-June Paris Air Show, the largest and most important show of its kind. Over the next several weeks hundreds of press releases and articles will be issued highlighting new contracts and new products. More than $50 billion worth of contract announcements are anticipated. In addition, rumor is that the Boeing 787 may make its maiden flight.
5. Declining Dollar is Positive for Exports. The United States has become a net importer of products; but one sector in which the U.S. has a positive trade balance is aerospace. With companies around the world still operating in a recessionary mindset, a weakening dollar offers a competitive advantage against global competitors.
6. Valuations Still Well Below Recent Levels. The market decline wiped out years of gains that took the sector through the dotcom bubble, the 9-11 attacks, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today, valuations in the industry are at levels typically seen after a major decline in the defense budget with P/E, P/S, PEG, etc all bottoming earlier this year. Advance comments from several companies indicate that 2Q09 reports should continue to show healthy balance sheets.
7. Strength in the Satellite and Space Business. Like the defense sector, spending on satellite services did not see major declines over the past year and many firms are reporting steady revenue gains. Going forward, U.S. satellite manufacturers (such as Orbital Sciences (ORB), Lockheed Martin (LMT), Boeing (BA), General Dynamics (GD)) and other hardware and software providers (Integral Systems (ISYS), Moog (MOG.A), etc.) could benefit if a provision in the 2010 State Department Authorization Act passes turning satellite export review over to the Department of Commerce. Prior to the law change in 1998, the AIA states that 78% of communications satellites were U.S. made, whereas today it is 27%.
8. Rebound in the Economy to Put Less Pressure on Obama. Beginning with the FY-11 budget, the Obama administration will seek to reduce a number of spending programs in order to pay for new programs (such as health care) and pay down the debt generated from the stimulus and overcoming the financial crisis. Defense, as the largest discretionary budget item, is likely to come under pressure. Defense Secretary Gates and a number of members of Congress have already begun efforts to hold back any dramatic cuts. A recent article in the NY Times highlighted that rocket launches by North Korea have started to sway some in Congress toward the need for continued defense spending.
9. Leaks about the 2010 QDR. Lastly, between now and February 2010, there will be a number of leaks as the agency determines its strategic direction and acquisition plans for the rest of Obama‘s first term. We can anticipate that not every trial balloon that is flirted with will make it to the final version. It is likely, however, that these comments will lead to temporary moves in the market for the companies that might be impacted.
10. New Initiatives / Diversification. Defense companies have seen the future and have already begun positioning their firms to adapt to changes inside the Pentagon as well as to leverage their skills and technologies to meet the needs of customers outside the core defense sector. In addition, the cancellation of large multi-billion programs is opening up new opportunities to compete for new business against the former incumbent and new initiatives, such as cybersecurity, will see billions spent not only by DoD but other government agencies.
More info and previous interviews:
http://www.homelanddefensestocks.com/Content_Partners/SI/Default.asp
About the SPADE Defense Index
The SPADE Defense Index® (AMEX: DXS) is a modified capitalization-weighted index comprised of publicly traded companies that benchmarks the performance of companies involved with the defense, homeland security, and space marketplace.
The SPADE Defense Index has been developed to be used by investors, financial professionals, trade analysts, and media as a benchmark for publicly traded stocks involved in these business sectors. The Index can be used as the basis for a range of financial instruments including options and other derivatives, exchange traded funds, and conventional mutual funds.
For more information: http://www.spadeindex.com
Disclaimers: The information presented in this interview is for informational purposes and should not represent a solicitation or an offer to purchase an investment product. SPADE and the SPADE Defense Index are registered trademarks of the ISBC.
About Homelanddefensestocks.com- HomelandDefenseStocks.com Portal is a global meeting place for investors and industry following defense and security, within Investorideas.com. Global visitors use the site daily to research the latest news, articles, audio, research reports and stock directories.
Free Defense Stocks Newsletter Sign-up:
http://www.twotigersonline.com/newsletter.html
Showcase Defense Company:
Optex Systems Holdings, Inc., (OTCBB: OPXS) through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Optex Systems, Inc. manufactures optical sighting systems and assemblies primarily for Department of Defense (DOD) applications. Its products are installed on a majority of types of U.S. military land vehicles, such as the Abrams and Bradley fighting vehicles, Light Armored and Armored Security Vehicles and have been selected for installation on the Future Combat Systems (FCS) Stryker vehicle. Optex also manufactures and delivers numerous periscope configurations, rifle and surveillance sights and night vision optical assemblies. Optex delivers its products both directly to the military services and to prime contractors.
Read the full company profile:
Visit Optex Systems Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB: OPXS) Company Profile: http://www.investorideas.com/CO/OPTEX/
About InvestorIdeas.com:
InvestorIdeas.com is a leading global investor and industry research resource portal specialized in sector investing covering over thirty industry sectors and global markets including China, India, the Middle East and Australia.
Investorideas.com Membership – Defense Stocks directory:
With markets and investor sentiment changing daily- it is more important than ever to stay on top of key trends! Gain Exclusive Insight on Leading Sectors, Global Trends, and Insider Trading Ideas, News, Articles and Investor Ideas Members only Restricted Content including the complete renewable energy stocks directory, water stocks, biotech and defense stocks directory, as well as the Insiders Corner by Michael Brush.
Become an InvestorIdeas.com -Learn more: http://www.investorideas.com/membership/
InvestorIdeas.com Disclaimer: www.InvestorIdeas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp
Our sites do not make recommendations, but offer information portals to investors to research news, articles, stock lists and recent research. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. We attempt to research thoroughly, but we offer no guarantees as to the accuracy of any information presented. All information relating to featured companies is sourced from public documents and/ or the company and is not the opinion of our web sites. This site is compensated by featured companies, news submissions and online advertising. OPXS Disclosure: Optex is a featured showcase company and compensates Investorideas.com $3000 month and sixty two thousand 144 shares issued quarterly.
For more information contact:
Dawn Van Zant 800.665.0411
Email: dvanzant@HomelandDefenseStocks.com
Source: HomelandDefenseStocks.com, Investor Ideas
Research defense stocks with the global defense stocks directory at Investorideas.com
click here:
http://www.investorideas.com/Companies/HomelandDefense/Stock_List.asp
POINT ROBERTS, Wash., DELTA, B.C. –June 8, 2009 – www.HomelandDefenseStocks.com (HDS), a leading global investor and industry portal for the defense and security sector, within Investorideas.com, provides interested defense stocks investors with sector commentary from Scott Sacknoff, manager of the SPADE® Defense Index.
Ten Keys for Investing in Defense Over the Next Six Months
By Scott Sacknoff, SPADE Indexes
The following is our commentary from the June 2009 “The SPADE Investor” newsletter.
Specifics of the FY2010 Defense Department budget were finally made available in early May and there were few surprises from the information that was leaked over the previous weeks. A number of large programs were cancelled or scaled back including major initiatives such as the Future Combat System, Transformational Satellite TSAT, and the presidential helicopter, but each were “replaced” with other programs that are designed to meet the ongoing needs of the agency. In fact, despite the cancellation of the multi-billion TSAT program, spending on new communications satellites in FY10 rose.
Analysts have now shifted their attention toward gathering information on the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) which will be the guide for the FY-2011 to FY-2015 budgets -- although final details are not due until next February. While a number of analysts think defense spending has peaked with the FY-10 budget, dramatic cuts in future budgets is meeting with resistance from a number of current and former members of the executive branch and Congress as well as military officials.
So with investors starting to look again toward the sector, it appears as if the recent decline in share prices over the past nine months went too far. Which brings us to the top 10 keys for the next six months.
Ten Keys for the Next Six Months (and Beyond)
1. The FY10 Budget is Released. The budget has always been the most important factor in determining the health of the sector and the companies that will benefit. With the base budget for FY 2010 showing a 5.6% growth ($5.7 billion) in procurement and another supplemental spending package to fund war efforts through the rest of 2009 coming, the issue has been put to rest for the time being.
2. Global Tension: North Korea and Iran. The launch of rockets by Iran and North Korea as well as their nuclear interests have raised the potential that something might happen. Fears that Israel may act in Iran before the U.S. are rising.
3. Rebound in Commercial Aerospace. The global recession and the collapse of the financial system had little impact on defense spending but commercial activities suffered. With roughly 20% of the defense sector maintaining commercial aerospace operations, an improving economy is showing benefits. The first test flights and delivery of the Boeing 787 will an additional provide a boost to the sector.
4. Positive Press Over the Next Month from the Paris Air Show. The improving commercial sector be showcased at the mid-June Paris Air Show, the largest and most important show of its kind. Over the next several weeks hundreds of press releases and articles will be issued highlighting new contracts and new products. More than $50 billion worth of contract announcements are anticipated. In addition, rumor is that the Boeing 787 may make its maiden flight.
5. Declining Dollar is Positive for Exports. The United States has become a net importer of products; but one sector in which the U.S. has a positive trade balance is aerospace. With companies around the world still operating in a recessionary mindset, a weakening dollar offers a competitive advantage against global competitors.
6. Valuations Still Well Below Recent Levels. The market decline wiped out years of gains that took the sector through the dotcom bubble, the 9-11 attacks, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today, valuations in the industry are at levels typically seen after a major decline in the defense budget with P/E, P/S, PEG, etc all bottoming earlier this year. Advance comments from several companies indicate that 2Q09 reports should continue to show healthy balance sheets.
7. Strength in the Satellite and Space Business. Like the defense sector, spending on satellite services did not see major declines over the past year and many firms are reporting steady revenue gains. Going forward, U.S. satellite manufacturers (such as Orbital Sciences (ORB), Lockheed Martin (LMT), Boeing (BA), General Dynamics (GD)) and other hardware and software providers (Integral Systems (ISYS), Moog (MOG.A), etc.) could benefit if a provision in the 2010 State Department Authorization Act passes turning satellite export review over to the Department of Commerce. Prior to the law change in 1998, the AIA states that 78% of communications satellites were U.S. made, whereas today it is 27%.
8. Rebound in the Economy to Put Less Pressure on Obama. Beginning with the FY-11 budget, the Obama administration will seek to reduce a number of spending programs in order to pay for new programs (such as health care) and pay down the debt generated from the stimulus and overcoming the financial crisis. Defense, as the largest discretionary budget item, is likely to come under pressure. Defense Secretary Gates and a number of members of Congress have already begun efforts to hold back any dramatic cuts. A recent article in the NY Times highlighted that rocket launches by North Korea have started to sway some in Congress toward the need for continued defense spending.
9. Leaks about the 2010 QDR. Lastly, between now and February 2010, there will be a number of leaks as the agency determines its strategic direction and acquisition plans for the rest of Obama‘s first term. We can anticipate that not every trial balloon that is flirted with will make it to the final version. It is likely, however, that these comments will lead to temporary moves in the market for the companies that might be impacted.
10. New Initiatives / Diversification. Defense companies have seen the future and have already begun positioning their firms to adapt to changes inside the Pentagon as well as to leverage their skills and technologies to meet the needs of customers outside the core defense sector. In addition, the cancellation of large multi-billion programs is opening up new opportunities to compete for new business against the former incumbent and new initiatives, such as cybersecurity, will see billions spent not only by DoD but other government agencies.
More info and previous interviews:
http://www.homelanddefensestocks.com/Content_Partners/SI/Default.asp
About the SPADE Defense Index
The SPADE Defense Index® (AMEX: DXS) is a modified capitalization-weighted index comprised of publicly traded companies that benchmarks the performance of companies involved with the defense, homeland security, and space marketplace.
The SPADE Defense Index has been developed to be used by investors, financial professionals, trade analysts, and media as a benchmark for publicly traded stocks involved in these business sectors. The Index can be used as the basis for a range of financial instruments including options and other derivatives, exchange traded funds, and conventional mutual funds.
For more information: http://www.spadeindex.com
Disclaimers: The information presented in this interview is for informational purposes and should not represent a solicitation or an offer to purchase an investment product. SPADE and the SPADE Defense Index are registered trademarks of the ISBC.
About Homelanddefensestocks.com- HomelandDefenseStocks.com Portal is a global meeting place for investors and industry following defense and security, within Investorideas.com. Global visitors use the site daily to research the latest news, articles, audio, research reports and stock directories.
Free Defense Stocks Newsletter Sign-up:
http://www.twotigersonline.com/newsletter.html
Showcase Defense Company:
Optex Systems Holdings, Inc., (OTCBB: OPXS) through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Optex Systems, Inc. manufactures optical sighting systems and assemblies primarily for Department of Defense (DOD) applications. Its products are installed on a majority of types of U.S. military land vehicles, such as the Abrams and Bradley fighting vehicles, Light Armored and Armored Security Vehicles and have been selected for installation on the Future Combat Systems (FCS) Stryker vehicle. Optex also manufactures and delivers numerous periscope configurations, rifle and surveillance sights and night vision optical assemblies. Optex delivers its products both directly to the military services and to prime contractors.
Read the full company profile:
Visit Optex Systems Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB: OPXS) Company Profile: http://www.investorideas.com/CO/OPTEX/
About InvestorIdeas.com:
InvestorIdeas.com is a leading global investor and industry research resource portal specialized in sector investing covering over thirty industry sectors and global markets including China, India, the Middle East and Australia.
Investorideas.com Membership – Defense Stocks directory:
With markets and investor sentiment changing daily- it is more important than ever to stay on top of key trends! Gain Exclusive Insight on Leading Sectors, Global Trends, and Insider Trading Ideas, News, Articles and Investor Ideas Members only Restricted Content including the complete renewable energy stocks directory, water stocks, biotech and defense stocks directory, as well as the Insiders Corner by Michael Brush.
Become an InvestorIdeas.com -Learn more: http://www.investorideas.com/membership/
InvestorIdeas.com Disclaimer: www.InvestorIdeas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp
Our sites do not make recommendations, but offer information portals to investors to research news, articles, stock lists and recent research. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. We attempt to research thoroughly, but we offer no guarantees as to the accuracy of any information presented. All information relating to featured companies is sourced from public documents and/ or the company and is not the opinion of our web sites. This site is compensated by featured companies, news submissions and online advertising. OPXS Disclosure: Optex is a featured showcase company and compensates Investorideas.com $3000 month and sixty two thousand 144 shares issued quarterly.
For more information contact:
Dawn Van Zant 800.665.0411
Email: dvanzant@HomelandDefenseStocks.com
Source: HomelandDefenseStocks.com, Investor Ideas
Research defense stocks with the global defense stocks directory at Investorideas.com
click here:
http://www.investorideas.com/Companies/HomelandDefense/Stock_List.asp
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Defense Stocks News - SAIC, Inc. (NYSE: SAI ) Announces Financial Results for First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2010; Operating Income: Up 17 percent
Defense Stocks News - SAIC, Inc. (NYSE: SAI ) Announces Financial Results for First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2010; Operating Income: Up 17 percent to $204 million
- Diluted EPS from Continuing Operations: Up 16 percent to $0.29
- Reaffirming Guidance for Fiscal Year 2010
SAN DIEGO and MCLEAN, Va., June 3 -- SAIC, Inc. (NYSE: SAI ), a scientific, engineering, and technology applications company, today announced financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2010, which ended April 30, 2009.
After the quarter ended, the U.S. Department of Defense indicated that it intends to restructure the Future Combat Systems (FCS) program, which represents about 3 percent of the company's annual revenue. The company currently expects to have a significant role under the restructured program, but the level of effort and terms and conditions remain under negotiation.
"In the first quarter of fiscal year 2010, we continued to demonstrate a pattern of solid program execution and financial performance," said Ken Dahlberg, SAIC chairman and chief executive officer. "I am especially pleased that the results were so uniformly positive. That is, all of our major metrics -- revenue, operating margin, earnings per share, and cash flow -- were robust, and virtually all of our business units met or exceeded our expectations. Although the potential restructuring of FCS provides some uncertainty, based on our strong market position across our wide business base, we expect fiscal year 2010 to be another solid year for the company."
Summary Operating Results
Revenues for the quarter were $2.65 billion, up 12 percent from $2.37 billion in the first quarter of fiscal year 2009. Internal, or non-acquisition, growth represented 11 percentage points of the consolidated growth for the quarter. Key drivers of internal growth included the initial ramp of recent wins in defense logistics, information technology, cyber-security, and intelligence support as well as increased tasking on existing defense and intelligence programs.
Operating income for the quarter was $204 million (7.7 percent of revenue), up 17 percent from $174 million (7.4 percent of revenue) in the first quarter of fiscal year 2009. Growth in quarterly operating margin percentage was driven by continued improvements in cost efficiency and contract fees. Income from continuing operations for the quarter was $117 million, up 11 percent from $105 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2009. Income from continuing operations grew more slowly than operating income primarily because of a $7 million reduction in interest income net of interest expense and a $5 million reduction in other income resulting from joint venture activities and a gain on the sale of two venture capital portfolio investments in the year-ago period.
Diluted earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations for the quarter were $0.29, up 16 percent from $0.25 in the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, driven by the increase in income from continuing operations and a lower share count compared to the prior year quarter. The diluted share count for the quarter was 397 million, down 3 percent from 410 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, due primarily to share repurchases made over the last four quarters. Diluted earnings per share, which include discontinued operations, were $0.28 for the quarter, up 17 percent from $0.24 in the first quarter of fiscal year 2009. Discontinued operations include Telcordia Technologies, Inc., which was sold in the first quarter of fiscal year 2006, and the Applied Marine Technology, Inc. products business, which was sold in the first quarter of fiscal year 2010.
Earnings per share and share count figures quoted for fiscal year 2009 differ from those cited previously because on February 1, 2009, the company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Staff Position (FSP) No. EITF 03-6-1 "Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities," which requires retrospective application to prior periods. Upon adoption, basic EPS from continuing operations, basic EPS, diluted EPS from discontinued operations and diluted EPS for the three months ended April 30, 2008 each decreased by $0.01. The new methodology had a similarly dilutive effect for the three months ended April 30, 2009.
Cash Generation and Capital Deployment
Cash flow from operations for the quarter was $163 million (or 1.4 times income from continuing operations) compared to $14 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2009. Cash collections continued to be strong as days sales outstanding (DSO) were 68 days, flat sequentially and an improvement of five days year-over-year.
During the quarter, the company used $223 million to repurchase approximately 12 million common shares including 11 million under the company's stock repurchase program and the remainder in recurring repurchases from employees in settlement of withholding taxes associated with stock option exercises and vesting events. Whether any future repurchases are made and the timing and actual number of shares repurchased under the stock repurchase program will depend on a variety of factors, including share price, corporate capital requirements, and other market conditions. As of April 30, 2009, the company had $898 million in cash and cash equivalents and $1.1 billion in long-term debt.
New Business Awards
Net new business bookings totaled $2.6 billion in the first quarter, representing a book-to-bill ratio of 1.0. Net bookings are calculated as the current period ending backlog plus the current period's revenue less prior period ending backlog and backlog obtained in acquisitions. No bookings value is assigned unless the company has received a signed contract for a priced statement of work.
Large, competitive definite delivery contract awards received during the quarter include:
Armed Forces Health Longitudinal Technology Application/Composite Health Care System (AHLTA/CHCS) Support. Under a 30-month, $158 million task order, SAIC will provide engineering, logistics and sustainment support to AHLTA/CHCS to ensure the quality care of 9.4 million beneficiaries at more than 135 Military Treatment Facilities worldwide. Together, the AHLTA electronic health record and the CHCS integrated hospital information system enable the Military Health System to track clinical care and exposures of deployed units, monitor demand-management effectiveness, better understand disease prevalence and prevention, and study both clinical and management outcomes.
Tactical Biometrics Systems (TBS) Support. SAIC was awarded a subcontract by Sensor Technologies Incorporated to support the U.S. Army Communications and Electronics Command by providing operations and user maintenance support to TBS. SAIC's subcontract has a four-year period of performance and a total contract value of more than $115 million. TBS devices collect fingerprints, iris scans, facial photos and biographical information on persons of interest. The biometric data is then matched against a database, potentially identifying wanted or dangerous persons. SAIC will provide operations and user maintenance support to help ensure continued, reliable technical support of TBS systems, peripherals and networks.
Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) Support. SAIC received a five-year, $104 million contract from the Department of Homeland Security to provide training support to the CDP. CDP offers all-hazards training at the only federally chartered weapons of mass destruction training center, catering to emergency responders from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories. SAIC will design and develop emergency responder curriculum, provide qualified instructors to teach each course, and manage training logistics and sustainment activities.
U.S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM) Joint Capability Development Directorate (J8) Support. Under a five-year, $81 million task order, SAIC will support USJFCOM J8 in the areas of engineering, analysis, test, and evaluation. SAIC will perform work in the areas of command and control, capability engineering, system engineering and integration, capability portfolio management, and net-enabled command capability to help address the complex challenges associated with joint capability development.
Hawaii Energy Efficiency Program Administration. SAIC was awarded a contract to administer the rate-payer funded Hawaii Energy Efficiency Program, helping Hawaiian residents and businesses become more energy efficient. The contract potentially runs through 2016; the contract has a value of $38 million for the first two years. SAIC will provide program design and implementation, customer incentives and rebates, new initiatives, interface with the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative, and manage efforts concerning commercial, industrial, residential, and renewable energy programs.
In addition, SAIC also won several indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts that are not included in net bookings. The most notable IDIQ awards during the quarter were:
General Services Administration (GSA) Alliant. SAIC was awarded a prime contract on the Alliant government-wide acquisition contract from the GSA. Alliant is a multiple-award contract with a 10-year period of performance and a total ceiling value for all awardees of $50 billion. The scope of work includes all components of an integrated information technology solution, including future technologies that may emerge during the life of the contract.
Simulation and Training Omnibus Contract (STOC II). SAIC will provide simulation, training and instrumentation services and products under STOC II, which was awarded by the U.S. Army's Program Executive Office for Simulation Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI). This ten-year, multiple-award contract has a total ceiling value of $17.5 billion for all awardees. SAIC will perform a full range of life cycle management to include front end analysis, design, development, fielding, and sustainment of training and testing systems, instrumentation, and gaming system simulators.
U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) Support Services. SAIC received a contract to provide technical analysis and studies for programs and strategies for USSTRATCOM. This multiple-award contract has a five-year period of performance and a ceiling value of $900 million for all awardees. USSTRATCOM's missions include Space Operations; Cyberspace Operations; Strategic Deterrence; Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction; Global Command and Control; Global Strike and Integration; Information Operations; Integrated Missile Defense; and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance.
The company's backlog of signed business orders at the end of the first quarter of fiscal year 2010 was $16.7 billion, of which $5.7 billion was funded. As compared to the end of the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, total backlog increased 11 percent and funded backlog increased 6 percent. The negotiated unfunded backlog of $11.0 billion represents the estimated amount to be earned in the future from firm orders for which funding has not been appropriated or otherwise authorized and unexercised priced contract options. Negotiated unfunded backlog does not include any estimate of future expected task orders to be awarded under IDIQ or other master agreement contract vehicles.
Included within the backlog is approximately $0.1 billion in funded backlog and $1.0 billion in negotiated unfunded backlog related to FCS through the current contract end date of December 31, 2014. The company expects that it will soon stop work on the manned ground vehicle component of FCS but continue work on the system-of-systems integration component and the new technology spin-outs under a new or modified contract. The company expects that approximately $0.2 billion of the FCS backlog will be recognized as revenues throughout the remainder of fiscal 2010.
Forward Guidance
Despite the FCS developments, SAIC maintains a healthy backlog and a strong market position across its wide business base. Absent further disruptions in government funding, the company currently expects to achieve all of its long-term, average annual financial goals in fiscal year 2010:
Growing revenue internally in the six percent to nine percent range;Improving operating margin by 20 to 30 basis points until reaching a sustainable level between eight percent and nine percent; and Growing earnings per share from 11 percent to 18 percent.
Mark Sopp, SAIC chief financial officer commented, "The company has built a resilient and diversified base of business and new opportunities that enables us to reaffirm our expectation that we will achieve our long-term financial growth goals again in fiscal year 2010 despite the restructuring of FCS. The strength of this company lies not with one contract, but with thousands of contracts and 45,000 employees dedicated to solving our customers' most difficult problems."
About SAIC
SAIC is a FORTUNE 500® scientific, engineering, and technology applications company that uses its deep domain knowledge to solve problems of vital importance to the nation and the world, in national security, energy and the environment, critical infrastructure, and health. The company's approximately 45,000 employees serve customers in the U.S. Department of Defense, the intelligence community, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, other U.S. Government civil agencies and selected commercial markets. SAIC had annual revenues of $10.1 billion for its fiscal year ended January 31, 2009. For more information, visit www.saic.com.
SAIC: From Science to Solutions®
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this release contain or are based on "forward-looking" information within the meaning of the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by words such as "expects," "intends," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "guidance" and similar words or phrases. Forward-looking statements in this release include, among others, estimates of future revenues, earnings, backlog, outstanding shares and cash flows. These statements reflect our belief and assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Actual performance and results may differ materially from the guidance and other forward-looking statements made in this release depending on a variety of factors, including: changes in the U.S. Government defense budget or budgetary priorities or delays in the U.S. budget process; changes in U.S. Government procurement rules and regulations; our compliance with various U.S. Government and other government procurement rules and regulations; the outcome of U.S. Government reviews, audits and investigations of our company; our ability to win contracts with the U.S. Government and others; our ability to attract, train and retain skilled employees; our ability to maintain relationships with prime contractors, subcontractors and joint venture partners; our ability to obtain required security clearances for our employees; our ability to accurately estimate costs associated with our firm-fixed-price and other contracts; resolution of legal and other disputes with our customers and others; our ability to successfully acquire and integrate businesses; our ability to manage risks associated with our international business; our ability to compete with others in the markets in which we operate; and our ability to execute our business plan effectively and to overcome these and other known and unknown risks that we face. These are only some of the factors that may affect the forward-looking statements contained in this release. For further information concerning risks and uncertainties associated with our business, please refer to the filings we make from time to time with the SEC, including the "Risk Factors," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Legal Proceedings" sections of our latest annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly report on Form 10-Q, which may be viewed or obtained through the Investor Relations section of our Web site at www.saic.com.
All information in this release is as of June 3, 2009. SAIC expressly disclaims any duty to update the guidance or any other forward-looking statement provided in this release to reflect subsequent events, actual results or changes in the company's expectations. SAIC also disclaims any duty to comment upon or correct information that may be contained in reports published by investment analysts or others.
CONTACTS: Investor Relations: Stuart Davis 703-676-2283 stuart.davis@saic.com
Media Relations: Laura Luke Melissa Koskovich 703-676-6533 703-676-6762 laura.luke@saic.com
melissa.l.koskovich@saic.com
Research defense stocks with the global defense stocks directory at Investorideas.com
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- Diluted EPS from Continuing Operations: Up 16 percent to $0.29
- Reaffirming Guidance for Fiscal Year 2010
SAN DIEGO and MCLEAN, Va., June 3 -- SAIC, Inc. (NYSE: SAI ), a scientific, engineering, and technology applications company, today announced financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2010, which ended April 30, 2009.
After the quarter ended, the U.S. Department of Defense indicated that it intends to restructure the Future Combat Systems (FCS) program, which represents about 3 percent of the company's annual revenue. The company currently expects to have a significant role under the restructured program, but the level of effort and terms and conditions remain under negotiation.
"In the first quarter of fiscal year 2010, we continued to demonstrate a pattern of solid program execution and financial performance," said Ken Dahlberg, SAIC chairman and chief executive officer. "I am especially pleased that the results were so uniformly positive. That is, all of our major metrics -- revenue, operating margin, earnings per share, and cash flow -- were robust, and virtually all of our business units met or exceeded our expectations. Although the potential restructuring of FCS provides some uncertainty, based on our strong market position across our wide business base, we expect fiscal year 2010 to be another solid year for the company."
Summary Operating Results
Revenues for the quarter were $2.65 billion, up 12 percent from $2.37 billion in the first quarter of fiscal year 2009. Internal, or non-acquisition, growth represented 11 percentage points of the consolidated growth for the quarter. Key drivers of internal growth included the initial ramp of recent wins in defense logistics, information technology, cyber-security, and intelligence support as well as increased tasking on existing defense and intelligence programs.
Operating income for the quarter was $204 million (7.7 percent of revenue), up 17 percent from $174 million (7.4 percent of revenue) in the first quarter of fiscal year 2009. Growth in quarterly operating margin percentage was driven by continued improvements in cost efficiency and contract fees. Income from continuing operations for the quarter was $117 million, up 11 percent from $105 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2009. Income from continuing operations grew more slowly than operating income primarily because of a $7 million reduction in interest income net of interest expense and a $5 million reduction in other income resulting from joint venture activities and a gain on the sale of two venture capital portfolio investments in the year-ago period.
Diluted earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations for the quarter were $0.29, up 16 percent from $0.25 in the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, driven by the increase in income from continuing operations and a lower share count compared to the prior year quarter. The diluted share count for the quarter was 397 million, down 3 percent from 410 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, due primarily to share repurchases made over the last four quarters. Diluted earnings per share, which include discontinued operations, were $0.28 for the quarter, up 17 percent from $0.24 in the first quarter of fiscal year 2009. Discontinued operations include Telcordia Technologies, Inc., which was sold in the first quarter of fiscal year 2006, and the Applied Marine Technology, Inc. products business, which was sold in the first quarter of fiscal year 2010.
Earnings per share and share count figures quoted for fiscal year 2009 differ from those cited previously because on February 1, 2009, the company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Staff Position (FSP) No. EITF 03-6-1 "Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities," which requires retrospective application to prior periods. Upon adoption, basic EPS from continuing operations, basic EPS, diluted EPS from discontinued operations and diluted EPS for the three months ended April 30, 2008 each decreased by $0.01. The new methodology had a similarly dilutive effect for the three months ended April 30, 2009.
Cash Generation and Capital Deployment
Cash flow from operations for the quarter was $163 million (or 1.4 times income from continuing operations) compared to $14 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2009. Cash collections continued to be strong as days sales outstanding (DSO) were 68 days, flat sequentially and an improvement of five days year-over-year.
During the quarter, the company used $223 million to repurchase approximately 12 million common shares including 11 million under the company's stock repurchase program and the remainder in recurring repurchases from employees in settlement of withholding taxes associated with stock option exercises and vesting events. Whether any future repurchases are made and the timing and actual number of shares repurchased under the stock repurchase program will depend on a variety of factors, including share price, corporate capital requirements, and other market conditions. As of April 30, 2009, the company had $898 million in cash and cash equivalents and $1.1 billion in long-term debt.
New Business Awards
Net new business bookings totaled $2.6 billion in the first quarter, representing a book-to-bill ratio of 1.0. Net bookings are calculated as the current period ending backlog plus the current period's revenue less prior period ending backlog and backlog obtained in acquisitions. No bookings value is assigned unless the company has received a signed contract for a priced statement of work.
Large, competitive definite delivery contract awards received during the quarter include:
Armed Forces Health Longitudinal Technology Application/Composite Health Care System (AHLTA/CHCS) Support. Under a 30-month, $158 million task order, SAIC will provide engineering, logistics and sustainment support to AHLTA/CHCS to ensure the quality care of 9.4 million beneficiaries at more than 135 Military Treatment Facilities worldwide. Together, the AHLTA electronic health record and the CHCS integrated hospital information system enable the Military Health System to track clinical care and exposures of deployed units, monitor demand-management effectiveness, better understand disease prevalence and prevention, and study both clinical and management outcomes.
Tactical Biometrics Systems (TBS) Support. SAIC was awarded a subcontract by Sensor Technologies Incorporated to support the U.S. Army Communications and Electronics Command by providing operations and user maintenance support to TBS. SAIC's subcontract has a four-year period of performance and a total contract value of more than $115 million. TBS devices collect fingerprints, iris scans, facial photos and biographical information on persons of interest. The biometric data is then matched against a database, potentially identifying wanted or dangerous persons. SAIC will provide operations and user maintenance support to help ensure continued, reliable technical support of TBS systems, peripherals and networks.
Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) Support. SAIC received a five-year, $104 million contract from the Department of Homeland Security to provide training support to the CDP. CDP offers all-hazards training at the only federally chartered weapons of mass destruction training center, catering to emergency responders from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories. SAIC will design and develop emergency responder curriculum, provide qualified instructors to teach each course, and manage training logistics and sustainment activities.
U.S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM) Joint Capability Development Directorate (J8) Support. Under a five-year, $81 million task order, SAIC will support USJFCOM J8 in the areas of engineering, analysis, test, and evaluation. SAIC will perform work in the areas of command and control, capability engineering, system engineering and integration, capability portfolio management, and net-enabled command capability to help address the complex challenges associated with joint capability development.
Hawaii Energy Efficiency Program Administration. SAIC was awarded a contract to administer the rate-payer funded Hawaii Energy Efficiency Program, helping Hawaiian residents and businesses become more energy efficient. The contract potentially runs through 2016; the contract has a value of $38 million for the first two years. SAIC will provide program design and implementation, customer incentives and rebates, new initiatives, interface with the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative, and manage efforts concerning commercial, industrial, residential, and renewable energy programs.
In addition, SAIC also won several indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts that are not included in net bookings. The most notable IDIQ awards during the quarter were:
General Services Administration (GSA) Alliant. SAIC was awarded a prime contract on the Alliant government-wide acquisition contract from the GSA. Alliant is a multiple-award contract with a 10-year period of performance and a total ceiling value for all awardees of $50 billion. The scope of work includes all components of an integrated information technology solution, including future technologies that may emerge during the life of the contract.
Simulation and Training Omnibus Contract (STOC II). SAIC will provide simulation, training and instrumentation services and products under STOC II, which was awarded by the U.S. Army's Program Executive Office for Simulation Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI). This ten-year, multiple-award contract has a total ceiling value of $17.5 billion for all awardees. SAIC will perform a full range of life cycle management to include front end analysis, design, development, fielding, and sustainment of training and testing systems, instrumentation, and gaming system simulators.
U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) Support Services. SAIC received a contract to provide technical analysis and studies for programs and strategies for USSTRATCOM. This multiple-award contract has a five-year period of performance and a ceiling value of $900 million for all awardees. USSTRATCOM's missions include Space Operations; Cyberspace Operations; Strategic Deterrence; Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction; Global Command and Control; Global Strike and Integration; Information Operations; Integrated Missile Defense; and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance.
The company's backlog of signed business orders at the end of the first quarter of fiscal year 2010 was $16.7 billion, of which $5.7 billion was funded. As compared to the end of the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, total backlog increased 11 percent and funded backlog increased 6 percent. The negotiated unfunded backlog of $11.0 billion represents the estimated amount to be earned in the future from firm orders for which funding has not been appropriated or otherwise authorized and unexercised priced contract options. Negotiated unfunded backlog does not include any estimate of future expected task orders to be awarded under IDIQ or other master agreement contract vehicles.
Included within the backlog is approximately $0.1 billion in funded backlog and $1.0 billion in negotiated unfunded backlog related to FCS through the current contract end date of December 31, 2014. The company expects that it will soon stop work on the manned ground vehicle component of FCS but continue work on the system-of-systems integration component and the new technology spin-outs under a new or modified contract. The company expects that approximately $0.2 billion of the FCS backlog will be recognized as revenues throughout the remainder of fiscal 2010.
Forward Guidance
Despite the FCS developments, SAIC maintains a healthy backlog and a strong market position across its wide business base. Absent further disruptions in government funding, the company currently expects to achieve all of its long-term, average annual financial goals in fiscal year 2010:
Growing revenue internally in the six percent to nine percent range;Improving operating margin by 20 to 30 basis points until reaching a sustainable level between eight percent and nine percent; and Growing earnings per share from 11 percent to 18 percent.
Mark Sopp, SAIC chief financial officer commented, "The company has built a resilient and diversified base of business and new opportunities that enables us to reaffirm our expectation that we will achieve our long-term financial growth goals again in fiscal year 2010 despite the restructuring of FCS. The strength of this company lies not with one contract, but with thousands of contracts and 45,000 employees dedicated to solving our customers' most difficult problems."
About SAIC
SAIC is a FORTUNE 500® scientific, engineering, and technology applications company that uses its deep domain knowledge to solve problems of vital importance to the nation and the world, in national security, energy and the environment, critical infrastructure, and health. The company's approximately 45,000 employees serve customers in the U.S. Department of Defense, the intelligence community, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, other U.S. Government civil agencies and selected commercial markets. SAIC had annual revenues of $10.1 billion for its fiscal year ended January 31, 2009. For more information, visit www.saic.com.
SAIC: From Science to Solutions®
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this release contain or are based on "forward-looking" information within the meaning of the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by words such as "expects," "intends," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "guidance" and similar words or phrases. Forward-looking statements in this release include, among others, estimates of future revenues, earnings, backlog, outstanding shares and cash flows. These statements reflect our belief and assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Actual performance and results may differ materially from the guidance and other forward-looking statements made in this release depending on a variety of factors, including: changes in the U.S. Government defense budget or budgetary priorities or delays in the U.S. budget process; changes in U.S. Government procurement rules and regulations; our compliance with various U.S. Government and other government procurement rules and regulations; the outcome of U.S. Government reviews, audits and investigations of our company; our ability to win contracts with the U.S. Government and others; our ability to attract, train and retain skilled employees; our ability to maintain relationships with prime contractors, subcontractors and joint venture partners; our ability to obtain required security clearances for our employees; our ability to accurately estimate costs associated with our firm-fixed-price and other contracts; resolution of legal and other disputes with our customers and others; our ability to successfully acquire and integrate businesses; our ability to manage risks associated with our international business; our ability to compete with others in the markets in which we operate; and our ability to execute our business plan effectively and to overcome these and other known and unknown risks that we face. These are only some of the factors that may affect the forward-looking statements contained in this release. For further information concerning risks and uncertainties associated with our business, please refer to the filings we make from time to time with the SEC, including the "Risk Factors," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Legal Proceedings" sections of our latest annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly report on Form 10-Q, which may be viewed or obtained through the Investor Relations section of our Web site at www.saic.com.
All information in this release is as of June 3, 2009. SAIC expressly disclaims any duty to update the guidance or any other forward-looking statement provided in this release to reflect subsequent events, actual results or changes in the company's expectations. SAIC also disclaims any duty to comment upon or correct information that may be contained in reports published by investment analysts or others.
CONTACTS: Investor Relations: Stuart Davis 703-676-2283 stuart.davis@saic.com
Media Relations: Laura Luke Melissa Koskovich 703-676-6533 703-676-6762 laura.luke@saic.com
melissa.l.koskovich@saic.com
Research defense stocks with the global defense stocks directory at Investorideas.com
click here:
http://www.investorideas.com/Companies/HomelandDefense/Stock_List.asp
Monday, June 1, 2009
Northrop Grumman Opens New Facility for Ministry of Defence Gyrocompass Technical Support in New Malden, U.K.
Northrop Grumman Opens New Facility for Ministry of Defence Gyrocompass Technical Support in New Malden, U.K.
LONDON, June 1, 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) today officially opened its new U.K. technical support centre to provide service, repair and maintenance for the company's inertial navigation systems (INS) used in Royal Navy ships and submarines.
The new naval gyrocompass support centre, located at Northrop Grumman's Sperry Marine facility in New Malden, U.K., contains a full repair and calibration workshop to support NATO ship INS (SINS) installed on Royal Navy surface warships and attack submarines. Sperry Marine is under contract with the U.K. Ministry of Defence (MoD) to provide ongoing in-service support for these systems.
The event was attended by Northrop Grumman executives, as well as MoD officials and local political leaders. They received a tour of the facility as well as briefings on and demonstrations of its capabilities.
"This new facility will significantly enhance Northrop Grumman's U.K.-based technical capabilities and marks a major milestone in our continuing programme of improving the support we provide to our MoD customers," said Sir Nigel Essenhigh, chairman of Northrop Grumman U.K. "The gyro support centre in New Malden will enable us to provide faster turnaround times and more responsive service support for these important mission-critical shipboard components."
"The new workshop will enable our U.K. employees to perform repairs and re-calibration services for the sophisticated inertial measurement units, which are at the heart of these military shipboard systems," said J. Nolasco DaCunha, vice president of Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine. "Today's opening represents the culmination of many months of work to install the workshop facilities and establish the security systems required by the U.K. MoD."
Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine's offices in New Malden are responsible for a number of major MoD programmes, including the integrated platform management systems being fitted on the Type 45 destroyers and the new Astute-class submarines, as well as the integrated navigation and bridge system being developed for the next generation of Royal Navy aircraft carriers. In addition, the New Malden facility is Sperry Marine's primary centre of excellence for navigation radar and electronic charting technology for commercial marine and international defence markets.
"The gyro support centre is part of a major investment we are making in our New Malden facility," said Dhanvant Goradia, director of Sperry Marine's New Malden business unit. "We are currently nearing the completion of a large-scale modernisation programme for our Burlington House office, which will make the building more attractive and energy efficient as we continue to play an important role in the local economy as a major employer."
Based on Sperry Marine's proprietary ring-laser gyro technology, the SINS devices provide extremely precise 3-D position and attitude reference data for the vessels' navigation and weapons systems. Sperry Marine is a world leader in ring-laser gyro inertial navigation technology, having supplied the vast majority of SINS shipboard devices currently deployed with NATO and international naval forces around the world.
Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine, headquartered in Charlottesville, Va., and with major engineering and support offices in New Malden, United Kingdom and Hamburg, Germany, provides smart navigation and ship control solutions for the international marine industry with customer service and support through offices in 16 countries, sales representatives in 47 countries and authorized service depots in more than 250 locations worldwide.
Northrop Grumman in the U.K. operates from primary locations in London, Fareham, Chester, Coventry, New Malden, Peterborough, RAF Waddington and Solihull and provides avionics, communications, electronic warfare systems, marine navigation systems, robotics, C4ISR solutions and mission planning, IT systems and software development, aircraft maintenance and airport security solutions.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.
CONTACT: Ken Beedle Northrop Grumman Corporation (London) +44 207 747 1910 +44 7787 174092 ken.beedle@euro.ngc.com
Tom Delaney Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems +1 (410) 993-6454 thomas.delaney@ngc.comResearch defense stocks with the global defense stocks directory at Investorideas.com
click here:
http://www.investorideas.com/Companies/HomelandDefense/Stock_List.asp
LONDON, June 1, 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) today officially opened its new U.K. technical support centre to provide service, repair and maintenance for the company's inertial navigation systems (INS) used in Royal Navy ships and submarines.
The new naval gyrocompass support centre, located at Northrop Grumman's Sperry Marine facility in New Malden, U.K., contains a full repair and calibration workshop to support NATO ship INS (SINS) installed on Royal Navy surface warships and attack submarines. Sperry Marine is under contract with the U.K. Ministry of Defence (MoD) to provide ongoing in-service support for these systems.
The event was attended by Northrop Grumman executives, as well as MoD officials and local political leaders. They received a tour of the facility as well as briefings on and demonstrations of its capabilities.
"This new facility will significantly enhance Northrop Grumman's U.K.-based technical capabilities and marks a major milestone in our continuing programme of improving the support we provide to our MoD customers," said Sir Nigel Essenhigh, chairman of Northrop Grumman U.K. "The gyro support centre in New Malden will enable us to provide faster turnaround times and more responsive service support for these important mission-critical shipboard components."
"The new workshop will enable our U.K. employees to perform repairs and re-calibration services for the sophisticated inertial measurement units, which are at the heart of these military shipboard systems," said J. Nolasco DaCunha, vice president of Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine. "Today's opening represents the culmination of many months of work to install the workshop facilities and establish the security systems required by the U.K. MoD."
Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine's offices in New Malden are responsible for a number of major MoD programmes, including the integrated platform management systems being fitted on the Type 45 destroyers and the new Astute-class submarines, as well as the integrated navigation and bridge system being developed for the next generation of Royal Navy aircraft carriers. In addition, the New Malden facility is Sperry Marine's primary centre of excellence for navigation radar and electronic charting technology for commercial marine and international defence markets.
"The gyro support centre is part of a major investment we are making in our New Malden facility," said Dhanvant Goradia, director of Sperry Marine's New Malden business unit. "We are currently nearing the completion of a large-scale modernisation programme for our Burlington House office, which will make the building more attractive and energy efficient as we continue to play an important role in the local economy as a major employer."
Based on Sperry Marine's proprietary ring-laser gyro technology, the SINS devices provide extremely precise 3-D position and attitude reference data for the vessels' navigation and weapons systems. Sperry Marine is a world leader in ring-laser gyro inertial navigation technology, having supplied the vast majority of SINS shipboard devices currently deployed with NATO and international naval forces around the world.
Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine, headquartered in Charlottesville, Va., and with major engineering and support offices in New Malden, United Kingdom and Hamburg, Germany, provides smart navigation and ship control solutions for the international marine industry with customer service and support through offices in 16 countries, sales representatives in 47 countries and authorized service depots in more than 250 locations worldwide.
Northrop Grumman in the U.K. operates from primary locations in London, Fareham, Chester, Coventry, New Malden, Peterborough, RAF Waddington and Solihull and provides avionics, communications, electronic warfare systems, marine navigation systems, robotics, C4ISR solutions and mission planning, IT systems and software development, aircraft maintenance and airport security solutions.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.
CONTACT: Ken Beedle Northrop Grumman Corporation (London) +44 207 747 1910 +44 7787 174092 ken.beedle@euro.ngc.com
Tom Delaney Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems +1 (410) 993-6454 thomas.delaney@ngc.comResearch defense stocks with the global defense stocks directory at Investorideas.com
click here:
http://www.investorideas.com/Companies/HomelandDefense/Stock_List.asp
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