Howmet vs. Textron: Which Aerospace & Defense Stock Should You Bet On?

Howmet Aerospace (HWM) lifted its 2026 revenue guidance to $10.00-$10.10 billion, fueled by robust demand across commercial and defense aerospace segments. The upgraded outlook positions HWM as the stronger play in a head-to-head comparison with Textron (TXT), which continues to grapple with supply-chain headwinds and faces uncertainty around $350 million in MV-75 program funding.

Year-to-date performance underscores the divergence: HWM shares have climbed 10.9%, while TXT has fallen 8.9%. Despite TXT trading at a more attractive valuation multiple, Zacks Investment Research recommends HWM based on superior growth trajectory and more favorable analyst estimates.

The revenue raise signals confidence in HWM's ability to capture widening aerospace backlogs, particularly as commercial aircraft production ramps and defense budgets remain elevated. TXT's MV-75 funding gap presents execution risk that could weigh on near-term results, even as the broader defense cycle stays supportive.