Wrapping up Q2 earnings, we look at the numbers and key takeaways for the aerospace stocks, including Astronics (NASDAQ: ATRO) and its peers.

Aerospace companies often possess technical expertise and have made significant capital investments to produce complex products. It is an industry where innovation is important, and lately, emissions and automation are in focus, so companies that boast advances in these areas can take market share. On the other hand, demand for aerospace products can ebb and flow with economic cycles and geopolitical tensions, which can be particularly painful for companies with high fixed costs.

The 15 aerospace stocks we track reported a strong Q2. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 2.7% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 1.1% below.

In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady. On average, they are relatively unchanged since the latest earnings results.

Weakest Q2: Astronics (NASDAQ: ATRO)

Integrating power outlets into many Boeing aircraft, Astronics (NASDAQ: ATRO) is a provider of technologies and services to the global aerospace, defense, and electronics industries.

Astronics reported revenues of $204.7 million, up 3.3% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 1.7%. Overall, it was a slower quarter for the company with a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA and revenue estimates.

Peter J. Gundermann, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We had a very solid second quarter and demonstrated continued progress as revenue stabilizes above $200 million per quarter. We also took some actions that will improve our future earnings power. After a company-wide review of our product portfolio, we took the action to step away from a couple of product lines that have proven to be low margin and low growth. We also took a meaningful increase in our estimate to complete for some projects in our Test business, which masked the progress we have made restructuring that business in recent quarters. These actions will allow us to simplify our business and focus on efforts that promise the greatest returns. Combined with the supportive market conditions we are experiencing, we believe we are well positioned for the future as we look to finish strong in 2025 and beyond.”

Interestingly, the stock is up 30.1% since reporting and currently trades at $46.

Is now the time to buy Astronics? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Best Q2: AerSale (NASDAQ: ASLE)

Providing a one-stop shop that integrates multiple services and product offerings, AerSale (NASDAQ: ASLE) delivers full-service support to mid-life commercial aircraft.

AerSale reported revenues of $107.4 million, up 39.3% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 24.4%. The business had an incredible quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS and EBITDA estimates.

AerSale delivered the biggest analyst estimates beat and fastest revenue growth among its peers. The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 18.3% since reporting. It currently trades at $7.30.

Is now the time to buy AerSale? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Redwire (NYSE: RDW)

Based in Jacksonville, Florida, Redwire (NYSE: RDW) is a provider of systems and components used in space infrastructure.

Redwire reported revenues of $61.76 million, down 20.9% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 23.3%. It was a slower quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ revenue and EBITDA estimates.

Redwire delivered the highest full-year guidance raise but had the weakest performance against analyst estimates and slowest revenue growth in the group. As expected, the stock is down 37.9% since the results and currently trades at $8.51.

Read our full analysis of Redwire’s results here.

Curtiss-Wright (NYSE: CW)

Formed from a merger of 12 companies, Curtiss-Wright (NYSE: CW) provides a range of products and services to the aerospace, industrial, electronic, and maritime industries.

Curtiss-Wright reported revenues of $876.6 million, up 11.7% year on year. This number topped analysts’ expectations by 3%. Overall, it was a strong quarter as it also recorded an impressive beat of analysts’ revenue estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

The stock is up 5.9% since reporting and currently trades at $539.37.

Read our full, actionable report on Curtiss-Wright here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Ducommun (NYSE: DCO)

California’s oldest company, Ducommun (NYSE: DCO) is a provider of engineering and manufacturing services for high-performance products primarily within the aerospace and defense industries.

Ducommun reported revenues of $202.3 million, up 2.7% year on year. This result surpassed analysts’ expectations by 1.3%. It was a very strong quarter as it also logged a solid beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

The stock is flat since reporting and currently trades at $91.14.

Read our full, actionable report on Ducommun here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Market Update

Thanks to the Fed’s rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, inflation has been on a steady path downward, easing back toward that 2% sweet spot. Fortunately (miraculously to some), all this tightening didn’t send the economy tumbling into a recession, so here we are, cautiously celebrating a soft landing. The cherry on top? Recent rate cuts (half a point in September 2024, a quarter in November) have propped up markets, especially after Trump’s November win lit a fire under major indices and sent them to all-time highs. However, there’s still plenty to ponder — tariffs, corporate tax cuts, and what 2025 might hold for the economy.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Strong Momentum Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.

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