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iShares Dow Jones US Aerospace & Defense ETF

5/24/2013, 12:05 PM ET

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Friday, February 22, 3:57 AM Frank Kendall, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, has authorized the Pentagon's purchasers and program managers to start talking to suppliers about the plans for implementing $46B of automatic cost reductions, which are due to take effect next Friday. The impact of the cuts will be exacerbated by the DOD not receiving an appropriation for this year, with much of its money in the wrong accounts. 1 Comment [U.S. Economy]
Tuesday, July 10, 2012, 1:06 PM Dire predictions that defense firms will be legally required to send dismissal warnings to tens of thousands of employees if Congress doesn't stop the looming automatic cuts is just a lobbying tactic, says employment lawyer Margaret Keane. "Are we really talking about complying with the WARN Act, or are we talking about political pressure being applied?" Keane asks. 11 Comments
Tuesday, June 19, 2012, 7:57 AM You don't wait for the hurricane to arrive before boarding up the windows, says BofA's Mike Hanson, already seeing evidence of corporate spending caution ahead of the so-called 2013 fiscal cliff. Defense contractors are most fearful as that part of the budget would be an easy target for massive cuts. 1 Comment [U.S. Economy]
Thursday, June 14, 2012, 1:08 PM Consolidation in the global defense industry is "inevitable," says Gordon Lane of British trade group ADS while at a major arms show in Paris, especially because of steep cuts among Nato countries. However, analysts believe massive mergers are unlikely; rather the majors could buy the second-tier firms. Comment!
Monday, February 6, 2012, 7:10 AM Lazard Capital Markets' Michael Lewis issues a warning shot over defense industry stocks, as he notes that the strategy of firms such as Northrop Grumman (NOC) and Booz Allen Hamilton (BZH) of growing profits by cutting costs could catch up to them this year. "All the low-hanging fruit has already been picked. There’s not much fat in the infrastructure." 1 Comment [Quick Ideas]
Monday, January 30, 2012, 9:03 AM South Korea plans to spend up to $7.4B on fighter jets over the next 9 years to help keep up its military presence in the region. Invited to the bidding party: Boeing (BA), Lockheed Martin (LMT), and EADS (EADSY.PK). Comment! [Global & FX]
Thursday, January 19, 2012, 10:08 AM Shares of Rockwell Collins (COL +4.1%) perk up after the firm records a mild earnings beat and reaffirms its guidance for 2012. Just holding serve may be good enough for investors with all the worries about decreased military spending swirling around. 1 Comment [On the Move]
Thursday, January 5, 2012, 11:49 AM President Obama unveils his administration's defense strategy (.pdf), which will lead to more than $450B in cuts over the next 10 years. In addition to mentioning Iran and terrorism, the review highlights the intention to counter any threats from China given that it has the potential to affect the U.S.'s economy and security. 1 Comment
Wednesday, January 4, 2012, 10:36 AM According to reports, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta will unleash the department's eight-month review of possible spending cuts on Thursday. Defense industry-related ETFs ITA and PPA have both gained over the last month, but could be tested if the report comes down harsher than expected. Comment! [U.S. Economy, Quick Ideas]
Tuesday, December 27, 2011, 3:28 PM Hawker Beechcraft won't take no for an answer after getting dropped from the bidding list for a $1B Air Force light attack aircraft contract. The firm - partially owned by Goldman Sachs - filed suit in a federal court claiming that the exclusion was made "without basis in process or fact." Comment! [U.S. Economy]
Wednesday, December 21, 2011, 1:50 PM Kaman (KAMN -0.7%) settles a dispute with the DOJ over allegations it violated the False Claims Act. Under the terms of the agreement, one of its subsidiaries will make a payment of $4.75M to the government. The firm also says it will write off $1.45M in inventory, taking a total Q4 charge of $6.2M to reflect both actions. Comment! [U.S. Economy]
Tuesday, December 20, 2011, 8:55 AM More on Lockheed's (LMT) F-35 contract (previous): Though the order for 42 F-35s from Japan wasn't influenced by Kim Jong II's death, instability in the region could keep momentum building for the embattled Joint Strike Fighter program as Asian nations eye increasing their military presence. Analyst James Hardy calls it a "big boost" for the program politically, adding that winning an "external competition" will help take the pressure off. Comment! [Global & FX, Quick Ideas]
Friday, December 16, 2011, 3:39 PM Aviation Week notes that a deal by Japan to buy F-35s from Lockheed Martin (LMT +0.1%) could spark a F-35 buying binge from South Korea's defense ministry in order to keep pace with its neighbor. The action would be good news for LMT...but potentially bad news for Boeing (BA +0.3%) and multinational Eurofighter - with analysts seeing Seoul politicians wanting to go with the most "modern" fighter jet to keep its nationalistic pride in place. 1 Comment [Global & FX, Quick Ideas]
Wednesday, December 14, 2011, 7:09 AM After Airbus (EADSF.PK) appears to have won the battle for large plane orders in 2011, Boeing (BA) aims to turn the tables in 2012. Buoyed by its new blockbuster deal with Southwest Airlines (LUV), CEO Jim Albaugh optimistically predicts that Boeing will land 1.3K-1.4K firm orders by this time next year as demand stays strong for fuel-efficient planes and trouble plays out in Toulouse with the A350 design. Comment! [Global & FX]
Tuesday, December 13, 2011, 2:00 PM Reports out of Japan tip off that Lockheed Martin (LMT +1.1%) will likely land a $8B order from the government for F-35s to replace an older fleet of F-4 Phantom fighters due to the jets "overwhelmingly superior performance" and stealth capabilities over rival offerings from Boeing (BA +1.7%) and Eurofighter Typhoon. Sources say the deal could be confirmed as soon as Friday. Comment! [Global & FX]
Tuesday, December 13, 2011, 7:21 AM Southwest Airlines (LUV) announces it's placed an order with Boeing (BA) valued at nearly $19B to buy 150 of its 737 MAX airplanes and an additional 58 737s, bringing up its total firm orders with the company to 350 for 2012 through 2022. The carrier becomes the first customer of Boeing to finalize an order for the fuel-efficient 737s. Comment! [Consumer]