Posted on 08/27/2024 8:04:46 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
As wars in Ukraine and the Middle East continue to rage, Vertical Research Partners forecasts top weapon manufacturers will experience record cash flow during the coming years.
The analysis, which was commissioned by the Financial Times, reports, "The leading 15 defense contractors are forecast to log free cash flow of $52 billion in 2026," with the "Five top US defense contractors are forecast to generate cash flow of $26 billion."
The cash flow in 2026 will be double the 2021 numbers. The record numbers are part of an upward trend for weapons makers already benefiting from a surge in global military spending and conflict.
This had led to some controversial policies among these firms at home:
Companies had already directed billions of dollars into share buybacks before the recent flood of new orders; some took on extra leverage to do so. Last year was the strongest for buybacks by aerospace and defence companies in both the US and Europe for the past five years, according to data from the Bank of America, although levels remain far below those of other sectors.
...The large repurchases using taxpayers’ money by US contractors have prompted criticism among some lawmakers who have questioned whether companies are investing enough in new facilities and production. Executives have insisted they are boosting capital spending even as they return money to investors.
Washington is driving the worldwide arms race. The US military budget is about the same as the next ten countries combined. Additionally, under President Joe Biden, Washington funneled billions in weapons to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.
The policy has led to massive wars in Ukraine, Gaza, and Lebanon. Additionally, tensions in the South China Sea are boiling as Israel and Iran are on the brink of a potential direct war.
The White House is well positioned to deescalate many of the world’s conflicts. The US could push Israel and Ukraine to negotiate by leveraging Washington’s military aid to Tel Aviv and Kiev.
In the South China Sea, potential conflicts between China and Taiwan or the Philippines have been partially driven by Washington’s pledge to go to war against Beijing for Manila and Taipei.
The US has also given the Philippines and Taiwan hundreds of millions in weapons, further provoking China.
Does anyone wonder why they keep the war going?
When the billions are flowing to the MIC, MANY MILLIONS are flowing through lobbyist hands in DC. And millions of other dollars are flowing through darker channels.
The results really haven’t moved much at all.
Raytheon
https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/RTX/financials/
LockMart
https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/LMT/financials/
Real bottom line is all government and private sector spending always hits new highs year after year, due to inflation. But the media (and hostile foreign governments) only ever talks about military spending, because in its eyes, the right number is zero. Meanwhile, military spending is hovering around its lowest levels since WW2 as a % of the economy.
https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/A824RE1Q156NBEA
“The US has also given the Philipines and Taiwan hundreds of millions in weapons, further provoking China.”
Now why would that be?
Is China fearful of aggression from the Philipines or Taiwan, or is it just pissed that this makes their insane hegemonic pursuits more difficult?
The MIC isn't even trying to hide it any more.
In the South China Sea, potential conflicts between China and Taiwan or the Philippines have been partially driven by Washington’s pledge to go to war against Beijing for Manila and Taipei. The US has also given the Philippines and Taiwan hundreds of millions in weapons, further provoking China.
What an embarrassing joke this country has become. We send weapons to counter the "Chinese threat" while simultaneously help them build up their military with our trade deals and all of the money we send over there.
“Does anyone wonder why they keep the war going?”
That’s about as stupid as saying gun manufacturers support crime. Yeah, ban guns to stop crime. That’s the ticket.
You never heard of deterrence? In reality everyone can see you just advocate for the aggressor by disarming the victims! That seems to be in vogue with politicians and tyrants. Absolutely NO RESPECT for Peoples’ liberties, freedoms and lives.
https://libertarianinstitute.org/about/
When people advocate against your defense and side with your enemies it means they want to destroy you. They want to destroy your nation, your culture and your lives. They just don’t have the army to do it with, so they side with, promote and protect your enemies so as to open-the-gates to invasion and destruction.
Muslim nations don’t seem to have this issue. Some of them have existed nearly 1400 years. But the US likely won’t make it even 300 years.
“When the billions are flowing to the MIC, MANY MILLIONS are flowing through lobbyist hands in DC. And millions of other dollars are flowing through darker channels.”
Yep, absolutely. That is the name of the war game.
Saintgermain is absolutely right. War profits is what it is all about.
“You never heard of deterrence? In reality everyone can see you just advocate for the aggressor by disarming the victims!”
Victims? Supporting the tyrant Nazi Zelensky is like supporting Hitler against Stalin. There are no “just” sides to this war. It is pure and simple, it is for profit and it is not meant to be won. It is carefully designed to be perpetual and profitable. Every war since WWII was for profit. “Deterrence” was just the talking point to garner public support from the gullible.
“ Meanwhile, military spending is hovering around its lowest levels since WW2 as a % of the economy”
************************************************************
Well then, we’d best hurry and spend more tens of billions for Ukraine right away. After all, it’s an investment.
Ukriane has fewer than 400 Armored Personnal Carriers per estimates this week. 1,700 km of frontlines and they are no longer to counter attack, or evacuate the wounded.
Russia is producing 1000 drones per day since mid-July. The results have shown up on the battlefield and the results are a game-changer.
The FABs broke the NATO built defensive fortifications that led to the stalemate.
The Drones are destroying the AFU transport and combat vehicles.
Russia has nearly reduced the AFU to the critical point that their reserves will not cause massive casualities or setbacks once the blitz shreds Zelinski-land.
So narrating about a “Nazi Zelensky” is more significant than Russian forces invading, occupying and destroying Ukraine?
Maybe ppl should attack you and be let go cuz “he raciss” or something -anything else they choose to use to excuse their immoral acts.
Morality is not specific to a national identity or affinity.
It’s clear you are a Leftist, a bigot and support immoral behavior in support of benefiting “your kind”.
Ukraine ping
House Atreides: [Well then, we’d best hurry and spend more tens of billions for Ukraine right away. After all, it’s an investment.]
RE: Russia has nearly reduced the AFU to the critical point that their reserves will not cause massive casualities or setbacks once the blitz shreds Zelinski-land.
So, when do you reckon Russia will take over Ukraine? I’ve been reading posts like this for 2 years now.
Yup—it is just a transfer payment from taxpayers to the defense contractors.
Congress and Ukraine are just the middle men for the scam.
“National defense” is the cover story for the con.
The mass media has you brainwashed and made you a willing advocate for their scams.
Wake up.
Bribed off Congress. The whole lot.
Wait a minute—so we spend billions to lose a war in Afghanistan and now we get to spend more billions to lose another war in Ukraine.
What a joke.
Ukraine ping
cgbg: [Wait a minute—so we spend billions to lose a war in Afghanistan and now we get to spend more billions to lose another war in Ukraine.
What a joke.]
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