Zacks.com Features the Following Top Stocks in the Defense and Aerospace Industry: General Dynamics, Sensytech, Northrop Grumman, and FLIR Systems

Business Wire

January 9, 2004

CHICAGO, Jan 9, 2004 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Fortify your investments from market challenges both foreign and domestic with four All Star recommendations from the lucrative defense and aerospace industry. Here are the top recommendations in the defense and aerospace industry: General Dynamics (NYSE:GD), Sensytech, Inc. (NASDAQ:STST), Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and FLIR Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:FLIR). Discover the full story at Zacks.com http://at.zacks.com/?id=96

What Do The All Stars Recommend:

General Dynamics (NYSE:GD) is a leading supplier of sophisticated defense systems to the United States and its allies, and sets the world standard in business jets. The company's four main business segments are aerospace, combat systems, information systems and technology, and marine systems. In October, the company reported third quarter 2003 earnings that surpassed the consensus, and revenues that jumped by +35% to $4.4 billion from $3.3 billion last year. The company said it experienced significant organic sales growth, a respectable earnings performance, strong cash generation and strong order intake, resulting in a significant backlog increase. The company is now gearing up to release its fourth quarter and year-end 2003 financial results on January 21st.

Sensytech, Inc. (NASDAQ:STST) designs, develops and manufactures electronic support measures (ESM), electronic intelligence (ELINT), and threat warning systems, active electronic warfare (EW) systems, airborne imaging systems, communications reconnaissance systems and other special purpose communications equipment serving worldwide markets. Last month, Sensytech reported fiscal fourth quarter net income of 17 cents per dilutive share on revenues of $15.5 million. That earnings result matched the consensus and beat the year-ago quarter, while increased order activity in all three of its business segments helped revenues rise by +32%. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, net income advanced by +85% while revenue increased by +65%. Looking forward, the company expects further internal growth of more than +20% in its 2004 fiscal year.

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) is a $25 billion global defense company that provides technologically advanced, innovative products, services and solutions in systems integration, defense electronics, information technology, advanced aircraft, shipbuilding and space technology. The company serves U.S. and international military, government and commercial customers. In October, Northrop Grumman reported a strong third quarter performance that included income from continuing operations of $1.21 per share, which beat the consensus by more than +17%. In addition, sales for the quarter jumped to $6.6 billion from $4.2 billion last year. The company was so optimistic for the future that it raised its 2003 guidance for earnings per share from continuing operations to between $4.20 and $4.30 from its previous expectation of $4 to $4.25.

FLIR Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:FLIR) is a world leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of thermal imaging and broadcast camera systems for a wide variety of commercial and government applications. Those applications include condition monitoring, research and development, manufacturing process control, airborne observation and broadcast, search and rescue, federal drug interdiction, surveillance and reconnaissance, navigation safety, border and maritime patrol, environmental monitoring and ground based security. In October, FLIR Systems posted third quarter net earnings of 32 cents per diluted share on revenue of $70.2 million. That earnings result beat the consensus by more than +10% while also surpassing the year-ago result by 2 cents. Revenue moved forward by +9% from $64.5 million. The company will announce its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 on February 4th.

To get our full analysis and top picks for this sector, then click: http://at.zacks.com/?id=97

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