Reference no: EM133141271

"We are a global security and aerospace company principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. We also provide a broad range of management, engineering, technical, scientific, logistics, system integration and cybersecurity services. We serve both U.S. and international customers with products and services that have defense, civil and commercial applications, with our principal customers being agencies of the U.S. Government. In 2019, 71% of our $59.8 billion in net sales were from the U.S. Government, either as a prime contractor or as a subcontractor (including 61% from the Department of Defense (DoD)), 28% were from international customers (including foreign military sales (FMS) contracted through the U.S. Government) and 1% were from U.S. commercial and other customers. Our main areas of focus are in defense, space, intelligence, homeland security and information technology, including cybersecurity."

This is all cool stuff, but, how is Lockheed doing as a business? Are all these cool projects for government (and other) clients creating value for shareholders? I recently asked some VPs at an investment bank what I, as a business professor, should be doing to prepare students for roles in investment banking. Their answer: "we expect candidates to be competent with the fundamentals; but being able to infer the story behind the numbers will set them apart." So, that is my challenge to you, and that will be our focus.

Discussion Questions

Please respond to the following question:

1. Is LMT meeting its responsibilities to others and fulfilling the purpose for which it was created? What evidence is there to support your answer?