Babcock gains momentum in an ‘uncertain world’ Business Babcock reported a significant jump in full-year profit and revenue as heightened military tensions continue to prop up European defence contractors. Operating profit increased 17 per cent to £363m on an underlying basis, while revenue grew 11 per cent to £4.8bn. Net debts fell to £373m including leases, down from £435m the year before. Shares [...]
Rolls-Royce leads defence stock rebound amid tariff turmoil Markets Following a tumultuous period triggered by Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff announcements, London’s financial markets showed signs of recovery on Tuesday. Defence stocks, in particular, emerged as notable gainers in leading the resurgence. Tariff-driven losses Trump recently imposed a 10 per cent tariff on British goods entering the United States. As part of a sweeping trade [...]
BAE Systems, Qinetiq, Babcock among sliding defence stocks as Trump tariffs bite Business President Trump’s sweeping package of global tariffs has sparked a sharp decline in defence sector stocks, as markets react to the shockwaves from his decision to impose a 10 per cent levy on British exports – among other measures. The move has raised concerns on increased costs and the potential for a scarcity mindset that [...]
Drones, AI, space: where to invest amid defence tech boom April 1, 2025 The world is rearming at a dizzying pace. Global defence spending has surged at an annual rate of 4.2 per cent since 2020 – that’s four times faster than pre-pandemic levels, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. By 2030, that figure is expected to hit $3.4tr, reflecting rising geopolitical tensions and the race [...]
Babcock hikes guidance amid Skynet ramp up February 6, 2025 Defence firm Babcock has hiked full-year guidance for revenue and profit as business in its Nuclear and Marine segments has boomed. The FTSE 250 group said on Thursday it expects underlying operating profit to exceed the top end of analyst expectations, which were in the range of £327.1m to £339.7m. Revenue is expected to come [...]
City grandees named in the New Year Honours list 2025 December 31, 2024 Former HSBC boss Noel Quinn, Babcock chair Ruth Cairnie and the Network Rail chief executive Andrew Haines are among the big names from business and industry to be included in the New Year Honours list for 2025. The trio of heavyweights were given knighthoods and a damehood for their services to industry, transport and financial [...]
UK needs to innovate at wartime pace, defence secretary says December 2, 2024 The UK needs “innovation at a wartime pace”, the defence secretary has said as he announced a new strategy for the industry. As he launched a defence industrial strategy, which is being developed alongside the government’s strategic defence review, John Healey said war game exercises to test the military’s capabilities will be carried out with [...]
Babcock profit soars amid surge in global defence spending July 26, 2024 Babcock International has reported a jump in annual profit as the British defence giant once again benefits from a "sustained uplift" in global defence spending.
Qinetiq: ‘Good’ start to year helps defence firm to play catch-up on rivals July 18, 2024 A landmark deal with NATO and the ongoing success of long-term agreements in the UK and Australia have helped defence firm Qinetiq to welcome a "good" start to the year.
Babcock: Geopolitical tensions boost FTSE 250 firm’s revenue July 17, 2024 The FTSE 250 defence firm, which in March won a bumper £560m contract to refit one of the Royal Navy's Trident nuclear submarines, saw its underlying profit jump 34 per cent in the year ended March 31.