Leonardo Shares Rise on Strong H1 Earnings and Upgraded 2026 Outlook

Shares of Leonardo rallied on Wednesday after the Italian aerospace and defense group posted strong first-half 2026 results that surpassed market expectations and raised its full-year guidance, signaling confidence in its operational momentum.

Strong First-Half Performance

According to a report approved by its Board of Directors, Leonardo saw significant growth across key financial metrics for the first six months of the year. The results beat analyst consensus for both revenue and earnings.

Key highlights from the first-half report include:

• New Orders: Reached €16 billion, a 45% increase compared to the same period a year earlier.
• Revenues: Grew 12% year-over-year to €10 billion.
• EBITA: Expanded by 34% to €780 million.

Upgraded Outlook and Market Reaction

Ad

Following the robust performance, Leonardo's management upgraded its full-year 2026 financial guidance. The company lifted its outlook for new orders, EBITA, and associated profitability metrics, which was received positively by investors.

The combination of a decisive earnings beat and an improved forecast provided a strong catalyst for the stock, which gained over 2% during the trading session. The report builds on recent positive sentiment fueled by a series of major contract wins, including helicopter agreements and maintenance partnerships.

Analyst Views and Context

Analyst sentiment surrounding Leonardo remains broadly positive. According to data cited by Investing.com, all 12 analysts covering the stock maintain a "Buy" rating. The consensus 12-month price target stands at approximately €68.33.

Even after Wednesday's rally, the shares traded around €55.17, well below the consensus target, suggesting that analysts see potential for further appreciation if the company continues to execute on its upgraded targets through the second half of the year.