BA vs LMT: Which Stock Is the Better Buy in 2026?

📊 Data as of October 9, 2026 · Refreshed weekly

A head-to-head, data-driven comparison of BA (The Boeing Company) and LMT (Lockheed Martin Corporation) — covering valuation, growth, dividends, risk, and which one fits your portfolio. All metrics pulled from live market data.

The Boeing Company (BA)

Industrials · Aerospace & Defense · NYSE

The Boeing Company, together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, sales, services, and supports commercial jetliners, military aircraft, satellites, missile defense, human space flight and launch systems, and services worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Commercial Airplanes; Defense, Space & Security; Global Services; and Boeing Capital. The Commercial Airplanes segment provides commercial jet aircraft for passenger and cargo requirements, as well as fleet support services. The Defense, Space & Security segment engages in the research, development, product…

Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT)

Industrials · Aerospace & Defense · NYSE

Lockheed Martin Corporation stands as a prominent global security and aerospace enterprise, specializing in the comprehensive lifecycle of advanced technological systems. Its expertise spans the research, design, development, manufacturing, integration, and ongoing sustainment of cutting-edge products and services across the world. The company's diverse operations are structured into four key segments: Aeronautics, Missiles and Fire Control, Rotary and Mission Systems, and Space. The Aeronautics division is responsible for creating and producing leading-edge combat and air mobility aircraft, a…

Quick Verdict

Better for Growth

revenue 34.50% and EPS 113.56% YoY outpace the other name

Better for Value

Tie

neither has a standard trailing P/E to compare (common for ETFs/funds)

Better for Income

LMT

2.80% yield vs the other name's lower payout

Better for Safety

LMT

beta 0.11 and D/E 0.00 make it the more defensive name

Head-to-Head Metrics for BA and LMT

Metric	BA	LMT
Price	$218.66	$530.13
Market Cap	$164.56B	$122.23B
P/E Ratio (lower is cheaper)	N/A	N/A
EPS	$0.00	$0.00
Dividend Yield	0.20%	2.80%
Beta (volatility vs market)	1.13	0.11
ROE (higher is better)	0.00%	0.00%
Debt/Equity (lower is safer)	0.00	0.00
Revenue Growth (YoY)	34.50%	5.65%
EPS Growth (YoY)	113.56%	-3.71%
52-Week High	$242.69	$692.00
52-Week Low	$128.88	$410.11
Sector	Industrials	Industrials

The Biggest Gaps Between BA and LMT

Of the metrics we track, these are the widest gaps between BA and LMT:

Dividend: LMT yields 2.80%, versus 0.20% for BA.
Volatility: BA carries a beta of 1.13, so it has moved more than LMT (beta 0.11) when the market swings.
Revenue growth: BA grew sales 34.50% year over year while LMT managed 5.65%.

Which Is Growing Faster?

BA grew revenue 34.50% and EPS 113.56% year-over-year. LMT grew revenue 5.65% and EPS -3.71%.

BA wins — revenue 34.50% and EPS 113.56% YoY outpace the other name.

Which Looks Cheaper on Earnings?

BA trades at a P/E of N/A, while LMT trades at N/A. ROE for BA is 0.00% versus 0.00% for LMT.

Roughly tied — neither has a standard trailing P/E to compare (common for ETFs/funds).

Which Offers the Better Dividend?

BA yields 0.20%; LMT yields 2.80%.

LMT wins — 2.80% yield vs the other name's lower payout.

Which Carries Less Risk?

BA has a beta of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.00. LMT sits at beta 0.11 and D/E 0.00.

LMT wins — beta 0.11 and D/E 0.00 make it the more defensive name.

Where Each Stock Trades Within Its Yearly Range

Price action over the last 12 months gives important context. A stock near its 52-week high has momentum on its side but limited room before profit-taking; one near its low may be a value opportunity or a structural problem.

BA currently trades at $218.66, in the upper half of its 52-week range — established uptrend with room to run if fundamentals continue (52-week range: $128.88–$242.69).
LMT currently trades at $530.13, in the lower half of its 52-week range — could be consolidation or early-stage recovery (52-week range: $410.11–$692.00).

Risks Worth Weighing

Every stock has tail risks that the headline numbers don't capture. Here's what stands out from the available metrics:

BA: no obvious red flags in the headline metrics, but always read the most recent 10-K and earnings call before sizing a position.
LMT: low beta of 0.11 dampens both upside and downside vs. the broader market.

This is a quick heuristic risk scan, not a full risk assessment. Always read the "Risk Factors" section of each company's most recent 10-K filing before investing.

Best Pick by Investor Goal

Long-term holder (10+ years): Lean toward LMT; durability and balance-sheet strength matter more than the next-quarter print.
Income / dividend-focused: LMT — higher yield, but always check payout sustainability before chasing.
Aggressive growth: BA — faster top-line and EPS expansion at the cost of richer multiples.
Value-oriented: either name works — paying less per dollar of earnings, with the trade-off of slower growth.

The Short Answer on BA vs LMT

LMT comes out ahead on 2 of the 4 dimensions we score, which makes it the slightly stronger all-round pick on today's numbers. The clearest dividing line between them is dividend, so start there when deciding.

Compare BA vs LMT live →

Questions Investors Ask About BA and LMT

BA vs LMT -- which is the smarter buy this year (2026)?

It depends on your investment goal. For growth investors, BA has the edge — BA grew revenue 34.50% versus 5.65% for LMT. For value investors, Both BA and LMT are roughly comparable on this dimension looks more attractive on earnings multiples (P/E N/A vs N/A). For income, LMT pays a higher yield (0.20% vs 2.80%). For safety, LMT has the more defensive profile (beta 1.13 vs 0.11).

Which is cheaper on earnings, BA or LMT?

Neither BA nor LMT has a standard trailing P/E ratio available -- this is common for ETFs and index funds, which don't report a single company-style earnings multiple the way individual stocks do. Look at expense ratio, tracking performance, and holdings overlap instead when comparing funds like these.

BA vs LMT: which has the higher dividend yield?

BA currently yields 0.20% and LMT yields 2.80%. LMT pays the higher current yield. Always verify payout ratio and dividend history before treating yield as guaranteed income — a high yield can also be a warning sign of a falling share price.

Which of BA and LMT swings more with the market?

BA has a beta of 1.13 and LMT has a beta of 0.11. A beta above 1.0 means the stock historically moves more than the broader market; below 1.0 means it moves less. BA has been the more volatile name based on historical price action.

What are BA's and LMT's market values?

BA has a market capitalization of $164.56B and LMT is at $122.23B. Market cap is share price multiplied by shares outstanding and reflects the total equity value the market assigns to the company.

Would BA or LMT suit a buy-and-hold investor better?

For a long-term holder (10+ years), the safer-quality name usually wins because compounding requires durability. LMT screens better on safety metrics here: lower beta, more conservative debt levels, and stronger return on equity. That said, BA is growing faster, so a long-term investor may want both — or split allocation 60/40 toward the safer name.

Which company is expanding faster, BA or LMT?

BA is the faster grower right now. BA grew revenue 34.50% year-over-year and EPS 113.56%; LMT grew revenue 5.65% and EPS -3.71%. LMT's slower growth often comes with a lower valuation — it's the classic growth-vs-value trade-off.

What industries do BA and LMT operate in?

BA (The Boeing Company) operates in the Industrials sector, specifically the Aerospace & Defense industry. LMT (Lockheed Martin Corporation) is in the Industrials sector, specifically the Aerospace & Defense industry. Because both are in the same sector, this is a true head-to-head comparison.

How should I pick between BA and LMT?

Start with your goal. (1) If you need income, weight the higher-yield name. (2) If you want growth, weight the faster top-line and EPS grower. (3) If you want capital preservation, weight the lower-beta, lower-debt, higher-ROE name. (4) If you're unsure, the most common professional approach is to own both in a sector basket so you don't have to predict the winner — and rebalance annually.

Keep Researching

Disclaimer: This comparison is generated from live market data for informational purposes only. It is not investment advice, a recommendation to buy or sell any security, or a substitute for the analysis of a licensed financial advisor. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Always read the most recent 10-K and consult a qualified professional before making investment decisions. StockSignal24 is not responsible for losses incurred from trading decisions made based on this content.