As the craze of earnings season draws to a close, here’s a look back at some of the most exciting (and some less so) results from Q4. Today, we are looking at aerospace and defense stocks, starting with Cadre (NYSE: CDRE).

Emissions and automation are important in aerospace, so companies that boast advances in these areas can take market share. On the defense side, geopolitical tensions–whether it be Russia’s invasion of Ukraine or China’s aggression toward Taiwan–have highlighted the need for consistent or even elevated defense spending. As for challenges, demand for aerospace and defense products can ebb and flow with economic cycles and national defense budgets, which are unpredictable and particularly painful for companies with high fixed costs.

The 32 aerospace and defense stocks we track reported a strong Q4. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 2.1% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was in line.

While some aerospace and defense stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 3.1% since the latest earnings results.

Cadre (NYSE: CDRE)

Originally known as Safariland, Cadre (NYSE: CDRE) specializes in manufacturing and distributing safety and survivability equipment for first responders.

Cadre reported revenues of $167.2 million, down 5% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 9.3%. Overall, it was a softer quarter for the company with a significant miss of analysts’ revenue estimates and a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

“2025 marked another year of strong financial and strategic progress for Cadre, underscoring the resilience of our businesses, the market leadership of our brands, and the consistency of our teams’ execution,” said Warren Kanders, CEO and Chairman.

Unsurprisingly, the stock is down 21.1% since reporting and currently trades at $32.11.

Read our full report on Cadre here, it’s free.

Best Q4: Boeing (NYSE: BA)

One of the companies that forms a duopoly in the commercial aircraft market, Boeing (NYSE: BA) develops, manufactures, and services commercial airplanes, defense products, and space systems.

Boeing reported revenues of $23.95 billion, up 57.1% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 6.9%. The business had an incredible quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 15.7% since reporting. It currently trades at $209.31.

Is now the time to buy Boeing? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q4: AerSale (NASDAQ: ASLE)

Providing a one-stop shop that integrates multiple services and product offerings, AerSale (NASDAQ: ASLE) delivers full-service support to mid-life commercial aircraft.

AerSale reported revenues of $90.94 million, down 4% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 8.8%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ revenue estimates and a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

As expected, the stock is down 14.8% since the results and currently trades at $6.24.

Read our full analysis of AerSale’s results here.

Parsons (NYSE: PSN)

Delivering aerospace technology during the Cold War-era, Parsons (NYSE: PSN) offers engineering, construction, and cybersecurity solutions for the infrastructure and defense sectors.

Parsons reported revenues of $1.60 billion, down 7.5% year on year. This number came in 4.1% below analysts' expectations. It was a softer quarter as it also produced full-year revenue guidance missing analysts’ expectations significantly and a significant miss of analysts’ revenue estimates.

Parsons had the weakest full-year guidance update among its peers. The stock is down 21.7% since reporting and currently trades at $54.98.

Read our full, actionable report on Parsons here, it’s free.

General Dynamics (NYSE: GD)

Creator of the famous M1 Abrahms tank, General Dynamics (NYSE: GD) develops aerospace, marine systems, combat systems, and information technology products.

General Dynamics reported revenues of $14.38 billion, up 7.8% year on year. This print beat analysts’ expectations by 4.1%. Overall, it was a strong quarter as it also produced a solid beat of analysts’ revenue estimates and a decent beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

The stock is down 3.8% since reporting and currently trades at $352.75.

Read our full, actionable report on General Dynamics here, it’s free.

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