Lockheed Martin's third-quarter 2026 results beat expectations by enough to prompt a guidance raise, according to the company's investor slides. Honeywell reported 34% EPS growth in the same quarter, also raising its full-year outlook. Both are signs that large-cap industrials are still finding room to beat already-elevated estimates heading into year-end.
The earnings strength came alongside a separate labor-market data point: US weekly jobless claims were reported near 57-year lows, reflecting very low layoff activity. Low claims support consumer spending, which flows through to the industrial and defense end markets both companies serve.
What is less clear is how durable the guidance raises are if claims data turns, or if defense and aerospace order backlogs soften going into 2027 budget cycles.