Catch These 5 Stocks While They’re Flying High

by Louis Navellier | February 15, 2012 12:55 pm

Despite the proposed defense cuts, a number of stalwart companies are still making significant gains. Over the past 12 months, these aerospace and defense stocks have been showing the kind of fundamentals that warrant a placement on my “strong buy” and “buy” lists. I watch more than 5,000 publicly traded companies with my Portfolio Grader[1] tool, ranking companies by a number of fundamental and quantitative measures. This week, I’ve got five aerospace and defense stocks  — in alphabetical order — that have received an “A” or “B” according to my research.

Boeing (NYSE:BA[2]) is extremely well known for its production of commercial airliners. And with their aggressive commercial airline deals[3], it seems as if no one has convinced them the airline industry hasn’t been fairing too well. In the past year, this stubbornly successful defense stock is up 4%. BA stock gets a “B” for sales growth, a “B” for operating margin growth, a “B” for earnings momentum, a “B” for earnings growth, an “A” for its ability to exceed the consensus earnings estimates on Wall Street, an “A” for cash flow and a “B” for return on equity in my Portfolio Grader tool. For more information, view my complete analysis of BA stock[4].

Goodrich (NYSE:GR[5]) provides aerospace components, systems and services to the commercial airplane developers. GR stock has gained 35% in the last 12 months, compared to a gain of 4% for the Dow Jones in the same time. GR stock gets a “B” for sales growth, a “B” for operating margin growth, a “B” for earnings growth, a “B” earnings momentum, a “B” for its ability to exceed the consensus earnings estimates on Wall Street, a “B” for the magnitude in which earnings projections have increased over the past month and a “B” for return on equity in my Portfolio Grader tool. For more information, view my complete analysis of GR stock[6].

Hexcel (NYSE:HXL[7]) develops composites for use in a variety of aerospace and defense fields. In the past 12 months, HXL stock has gained about 26% compared to smaller gains by the broader markets. HXL stock gets a “B” for sales growth, an “A” for operating margin growth, an “A” for operating margin growth, a “B” for earnings growth, a “B” for earnings momentum, a “B” for its ability to exceed the consensus earnings estimates on Wall Street, a “B” for the magnitude in which earnings projections have increased over the past month and a “B” for return on equity in my Portfolio Grader tool. For more information, view my complete analysis of HXL stock[8].

Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT[9]) has developed a strong name for itself as a global security company, and has watched its stock value increase 6% since last February. LMT stock gets a “B” for earnings growth, a “B” for its ability to exceed the consensus earnings estimates on Wall Street, a “B” for cash flow and an “A” for return on equity in my Portfolio Grader tool. For more information, view my complete analysis of LMT stock[10].

Precision Castparts (NYSE:PCP[11]) develops products for use in aerospace and industrial gas turbine applications. Compared to small gains for the broader markets in the past year, PCP stock has jumped 13%. PCP stock gets a “B” for sales growth, a “B” for earnings growth, a “B” for earnings momentum, a “B” for cash flow and a “B” for return on equity in my Portfolio Grader tool. For more information, view my complete analysis of PCP stock[12].

Get more analysis of these picks and other publicly traded stocks with Louis Navellier’s Portfolio Grader[13] tool, a 100% free stock rating tool that measures both quantitative buying pressure and eight fundamental factors.

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