英国两家主要防务承包商因全球政府国防投资增加而提高了今年的利润预期。Rolls-Royce将基础营业利润指引从40-42亿英镑上调至47-49亿英镑，同时把自由现金流预测从36-38亿英镑提升至38-40亿英镑[1]。BAE Systems则将利润增长预期从9%-11%上调至10%-12%[1]。两家公司的乐观态度反映了乌克兰战争以来的国防投资浪潮以及北约峰会所做出的新承诺带来的机遇[1]。
Rolls-Royce首席执行官Tufan Erginbilgiç表示"公司的'转型'继续取得成果"[1]。BAE Systems首席执行官Charles Woodburn指出"全球威胁局势仍然高度不稳定，各国政府在国防预算上持续增加"[1]。市场对这一前景持欢迎态度，Rolls-Royce股价周四上午上涨5.5%，成为FTSE 100涨幅最大的股票[1]。
BAE Systems近期获得多项重要合同，进一步支撑其利润增长。公司获得土耳其20架台风战斗机的训练和支持合同，以及美国将THAAD拦截导弹红外寻的器生产增加四倍的合同[1]。此外，BAE Systems与英国政府签署59亿英镑合同以完成HMS Dreadnought核威慑潜艇[1]。
British defence contractors Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems have significantly increased their earnings guidance for 2024, reflecting a sharp uptick in government defence spending worldwide.[1] Rolls-Royce elevated its underlying operating profit forecast to £47-49 billion from £40-42 billion, while also raising its free cash flow projection to £38-40 billion from £36-38 billion.[1] BAE Systems adjusted its profit growth expectation upward to 10-12% from 9-11%.[1] Both companies attributed the upgrade to mounting defence investments triggered by the Ukraine war and fresh commitments announced at the NATO summit.[1]
The revised outlooks reflect strong momentum across major defence contracts. Rolls-Royce Chief Executive Tufan Erginbilgiç stated that the company's "transformation continues to deliver results."[1] BAE Systems Chief Executive Charles Woodburn noted that "global threat levels remain highly unstable, with governments continuing to increase defence budgets."[1] The market responded positively, with Rolls-Royce shares climbing 5.5% on Thursday morning to become the top performer on the FTSE 100.[1]
BAE Systems secured several significant new orders underpinning the improved outlook. The company won a contract with Turkey for training and support on 20 Typhoon fighter jets, and gained a major U.S. agreement to quadruple production of THAAD interceptor missile infrared seekers.[1] Additionally, BAE Systems signed a £5.9 billion contract with the British government to complete the HMS Dreadnought nuclear deterrent submarine.[1]