FTSE 100 news / Companies and sectors / Aerospace and defence / 8 October 2026
Aerospace and defence: sector news on Thursday 8 October 2026
Average tone +4.1 (positive) across 4 companies with relevant coverage, from 17 stories.
Company by company
| Company | Tone | Stories | What the coverage was about |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAE Systems | +8.7 | 9 | Coverage was mainly about BAE Systems winning a Lockheed Martin order to supply electronic warfare systems for F-35 jets, covering Lots 20-22. |
| Rolls-Royce Holdings | +8.3 | 4 | Coverage centred on raised 2026 profit guidance and bullish analyst price targets, with a Saudi production licence adding to the positive tone. |
| Babcock International | −2.0 | 2 | Coverage was mixed: Babcock shares were reported at a new one-year low, which weighs on sentiment. |
| Melrose Industries | +1.3 | 2 | Coverage was mixed, with Melrose shares reported as falling and underperforming the market on Wednesday. |
Strongest stories in the sector
- +10.0 BAE Systems wins Lockheed Martin contract to supply F-35 EW systems
Contract win from Lockheed Martin for F-35 EW. - +10.0 Rolls-Royce stock tracks raised 2026 profit guidance
Stock follows raised 2026 profit guidance, positive for outlook. - +10.0 EW systems for F-35 jets to be built by BAE Systems
Wins F-35 electronic warfare systems work. - +10.0 BAE Systems Books Lockheed Contract for F-35 Electronic Warfare Systems
Lockheed contract for F-35 EW systems. - +10.0 BAE Systems wins F-35 electronic warfare order covering Lots 20-22
F-35 EW order covering Lots 20-22. - +10.0 BAE Systems tapped to provide AN/ASQ-239 EW systems for F-35
Selected to provide AN/ASQ-239 systems for F-35. - +9.2 BAE Systems stock gets a new F-35 electronic warfare order
New F-35 electronic warfare order. - +8.7 Rolls-Royce Holdings (LON: RR) Share Price Edges Higher As Analysts Set Bullish Price Targets
Share price edging higher with bullish analyst price targets. - +8.3 BAE Systems wins F-35 order and BAE Systems stock trades at EUR 21.94
F-35 order win; share price quoted. - −7.7 Babcock International Group (LON:BAB) Reaches New 1-Year Low - Should You Sell?
Shares hit a new 1-year low, a negative price signal. - +7.0 Is FTSE 100 group Melrose Industries (LSE:MRO) riding the global scramble for jet engine parts?
Frames Melrose as benefiting from strong demand for jet engine parts. - +6.8 Babcock and Arqit test quantum-resistant battlefield link
Babcock named party in quantum-resistant battlefield communications trial with Arqit.
Aerospace and defence: every day · FTSE 100 overview for the day