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    Kristine Liwag

    Research Analyst at Morgan Stanley

    Kristine Liwag is an Executive Director and Head of Aerospace & Defense Equity Research at Morgan Stanley, specializing in coverage of leading aerospace, defense, and industrial stocks, including names such as Boeing, TransDigm Group, Textron, Raytheon (RTX), Howmet Aerospace, Leonardo DRS, and LOAR Holdings. With over 533 published price targets across 29 stocks, she has demonstrated a strong track record, achieving an 80% price target met ratio and an average return per recommendation of 11.9%, with 62% of her calls proving profitable. She joined Morgan Stanley in 2020 following a distinguished 12-year tenure at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, where she also covered aerospace & defense sectors and Smid-Cap suppliers. Liwag is recognized as a top analyst by Institutional Investor and holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Georgetown University, with verified FINRA registration and securities licenses.

    Kristine Liwag's questions to StandardAero (SARO) leadership

    Kristine Liwag's questions to StandardAero (SARO) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Kristine Liwag probed the CFM56 engine exchange program, asking about its value proposition for customers, its margin profile compared to standard overhauls, and how it operates without a large inventory pool.

    Answer

    CEO Russell Ford highlighted the program's advantages in speed and cost-effectiveness, offering solutions tailored to customer needs. He stated margins are consistent with normal CFM56 work, with upside from USM and in-house repairs. He clarified the model is a 'one-for-one' exchange initiated with a modest, self-funding investment, not a large, capital-intensive inventory pool.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to Loar Holdings (LOAR) leadership

    Kristine Liwag's questions to Loar Holdings (LOAR) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Kristine Liwag of Morgan Stanley questioned the valuation of the Beadlight acquisition, seeking details on its 2026 accretion drivers, its product characteristics (e.g., proprietary nature), and the competitiveness of the deal process.

    Answer

    Founder, CEO & Executive Co-Chairman Dirksen Charles defended the acquisition price, stating it was a proprietary deal that will prove to be 'cheap' based on future growth, which he expects to be 'significantly accretive' even without LOR's influence. He confirmed the portfolio is 100% proprietary. Executive Co-Chairman Brett Milgrim added that the M&A pipeline remains robust with many similar proprietary opportunities, though their timing is unpredictable.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to Loar Holdings (LOAR) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Kristine Liwag of Morgan Stanley asked about management's primary focus areas given the strong demand and stable supply chain. She followed up by asking for more color on the surprisingly active M&A pipeline and whether Loar would consider levering up beyond its target for the right opportunity.

    Answer

    CEO Dirkson Charles identified the M&A pipeline and talent development as top priorities. CFO Glenn D'Alessandro added that the M&A environment is strong, possibly accelerated by good earnings visibility and Loar's increased profile as a public company. He also stated that given the strength of the balance sheet, the company will not need to exceed its leverage targets for current opportunities.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to Loar Holdings (LOAR) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Kristine Liwag of Morgan Stanley asked for an update on Loar's Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) pipeline and questioned if the long-term growth target of 1-3% from new products is conservative, given the potential for rapid market adoption upon certification.

    Answer

    CEO Dirkson Charles acknowledged that PMA adoption can create a significant revenue jump post-certification. He clarified that key initiatives, such as those for brakes, are progressing through testing and that adoption benefits are expected in late 2025 and early 2026. He also mentioned a new marketing agreement for other products that will contribute in the second half of 2025, stating that while there will be jumps, the 1-3% annual contribution remains a good long-term goal.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to Amentum Holdings (AMTM) leadership

    Kristine Liwag's questions to Amentum Holdings (AMTM) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Kristine Liwag questioned the confidence in the 2025 guidance in light of recent contract terminations at DHS and asked how potential NASA budget cuts are factored into the forecast, given Amentum's space exposure.

    Answer

    CEO John Heller reiterated confidence in the FY25 guide, citing that over 98% of revenue is from existing or recompete work. CFO Travis Johnson addressed the NASA question, stating their work is dominated by the prioritized Artemis II and III missions for the next several years, and they expect no material impact to FY25 from proposed budget changes.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to Amentum Holdings (AMTM) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Kristine Liwag questioned the confidence in the 2025 guide given recent contract terminations at DHS and asked about the potential impact of proposed NASA budget cuts on Amentum's space business and guidance.

    Answer

    CEO John Heller expressed confidence in the FY25 guidance, highlighting that over 98% of expected revenue comes from existing or recompete work. Regarding NASA, CFO Travis Johnson explained that Amentum's work is dominated by the high-priority Artemis II and III missions for the next several years, which are well-supported. While post-Artemis III changes are possible, management does not expect any material impact on FY25 results from the proposed budget.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to Rocket Lab (RKLB) leadership

    Kristine Liwag's questions to Rocket Lab (RKLB) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Kristine Liwag questioned why Neutron's backlog isn't larger given market demand, asked about the cash flow trajectory post-Neutron's first flight, and probed the company's capital needs and M&A appetite for future growth.

    Answer

    CEO Sir Peter Beck explained that commercial customers want to see Neutron fly successfully before committing. CFO Adam Spice projected that positive free cash flow is more likely in 2027 than 2026 due to scaling investments, but the P&L will improve sooner. He affirmed that current capital is sufficient for scaling Neutron and that any future raises would fund inorganic growth. Both executives indicated that M&A activity to expand capabilities will continue.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to Joby Aviation (JOBY) leadership

    Kristine Liwag's questions to Joby Aviation (JOBY) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Kristine Liwag of Morgan Stanley inquired how the Blade acquisition alters Joby's initial U.S. commercial service plans, particularly regarding the first launch cities. She also asked about the status of airspace usage approvals in New York and the remaining steps in Stage 4 and 5 of the FAA certification process.

    Answer

    Founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt stated that the Blade acquisition significantly 'supercharges' their operational readiness in New York with existing infrastructure and a loyal customer base. He clarified that no additional airspace work beyond Blade's current operations is expected and reminded that a Part 135 certificate is needed after type certification. He noted Joby is 70% complete with its Stage 4 work and does not need to reach 100% before beginning TIA flights.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to Joby Aviation (JOBY) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Kristine Liwag of Morgan Stanley requested details on the planned initial commercial service in Dubai, including aircraft numbers, operating model, and potential economics, and asked about discussions with the FAA on managing future air traffic control volume in the U.S.

    Answer

    Founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt explained the Dubai launch will start small with a few aircraft and vertiports, scaling up with support from the RTA. Executive Chairman Paul Sciarra added that route planning is ongoing. Regarding U.S. ATC, Bevirt expressed confidence in national support for investing in next-generation air traffic systems to increase capacity.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to TransDigm Group (TDG) leadership

    Kristine Liwag's questions to TransDigm Group (TDG) leadership • Q3 2025

    Question

    Kristine Liwag from Morgan Stanley asked for an update on the competitive landscape, including OEM second-sourcing and PMAs. She also inquired about the Simmons acquisition from RTX, the process, and the potential for more large OEM carve-outs.

    Answer

    Co-COO Mike Lisman stated there have been no material changes in the competitive landscape from second-sourcing or PMAs, which the company constantly monitors. While not commenting on the specifics of the Simmons auction, he acknowledged that the shifting industry landscape, with divestitures and spin-offs, continues to create acquisition opportunities for TransDigm.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to TransDigm Group (TDG) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Kristine Liwag questioned the implied margin step-down in the second-half guidance, inquired about incoming CEO Mike Lisman's strategic priorities, and sought details on the drivers for the raised defense outlook.

    Answer

    President and CEO Kevin Stein acknowledged the guidance contains conservatism. Incoming CEO Mike Lisman stated he anticipates "no meaningful changes" in strategy, emphasizing his long-standing alignment with Kevin. Lisman also noted the strength in defense was "pretty uniform" across businesses, covering both OEM and aftermarket, and was supported by strong bookings.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to Voyager Technologies, Inc./DE (VOYG) leadership

    Kristine Liwag's questions to Voyager Technologies, Inc./DE (VOYG) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Kristine Liwag of Morgan Stanley asked about the potential to increase shipset content on other missile programs beyond NGI, the size of the related business pipeline, and the significance of the recent NGI static hot fire test.

    Answer

    CFO Phil De Sousa quantified the opportunity, stating that beyond the ~$1 billion NGI production opportunity, there is roughly another $1 billion in potential awards being pursued with primes on other missile defense programs. CEO Dylan Taylor emphasized that the successful hot fire test was a critical part of the CDR milestone, de-risking the technology for customers. He also noted the acquisition of Optical Physics Company (OPC) increased Voyager's value capture on NGI's optical navigation system.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to EMBRAER (ERJ) leadership

    Kristine Liwag's questions to EMBRAER (ERJ) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Kristine Liwag of Morgan Stanley inquired about how customer conversations have changed since the threat of a 50% tariff was averted, and whether this has created more urgency for US customers to place new orders for the E175 jet.

    Answer

    President & CEO Francisco Neto explained that Embraer has been actively mitigating tariff impacts, noting the final tariff on the E175 is below 10% due to its high U.S. content. While the removal of the 50% threat is positive, the primary focus remains on restoring the zero-tariff rule. He stated that the company does not expect significant new E175 orders for the remainder of the year.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to EMBRAER (ERJ) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Kristine Liwag of Morgan Stanley asked for an update on KC-390 sales campaigns in India and other regions, potential bundling with E2s, and the evolution of discussions around a larger Embraer aircraft.

    Answer

    CEO Francisco Gomes Neto reported progress on the India KC-390 campaign and other active campaigns. While direct bundling of KC-390 and E2s is not occurring, he noted potential for broad industrial partnerships in countries ordering both. Regarding a larger jet, he confirmed customer interest but stated Embraer's focus remains on the E2 family and foundational technology development.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to EMBRAER (ERJ) leadership • Q2 2024

    Question

    Kristine Liwag questioned Embraer's confidence in its 2024 delivery guidance, especially as other manufacturers face supply chain issues, and asked for more color on the conservatism of their guidance range.

    Answer

    President and CEO Francisco Neto expressed confidence in meeting the full-year guidance. He detailed proactive measures, including reinforcing the supply chain team, co-locating staff with critical suppliers, and implementing digital tools and AI to anticipate and manage challenges.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to RBC Bearings (RBC) leadership

    Kristine Liwag's questions to RBC Bearings (RBC) leadership • Q1 2026

    Question

    Kristine Liwag of Morgan Stanley inquired about the details of RBC Bearings' five-year outlook, associated capital expenditure needs, and the potential for margin expansion. She also asked about the expected impact of the recently signed infrastructure bill on the industrial business.

    Answer

    Chairman, President & CEO Dr. Michael Hartnett explained that the five-year plan involves detailed, account-level analysis to align capacity with customer demand, particularly from major aerospace OEMs. He anticipates CapEx will remain in the 3-4% of sales range. Dr. Hartnett described the tax incentives in the new bill as "catnip" for smaller industrial customers, expecting it to favorably drive demand for equipment and RBC's products.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to RBC Bearings (RBC) leadership • Q1 2026

    Question

    Kristine Liwag of Morgan Stanley inquired about the specifics of RBC Bearings' five-year outlook, its implications for capital expenditures and margins, and the potential impact of the recently signed tax bill on the industrial business.

    Answer

    Dr. Michael Hartnett, Chairman, President & CEO, explained that the five-year plan involves detailed account-level analysis to align capacity with customer demand, projecting CapEx to remain stable at 3-4% of sales. He described the tax bill's investment expensing provision as "catnip" for smaller industrial customers, expecting it to favorably drive demand for RBC's products.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to RBC Bearings (RBC) leadership • Q1 2026

    Question

    Kristine Liwag of Morgan Stanley inquired about the components of RBC Bearings' five-year outlook, the implications for CapEx and aerospace margins, and the potential impact of recent tax legislation on the industrial business and its backlog.

    Answer

    Chairman, President & CEO Michael Hartnett explained that the five-year plan involves detailed account-level forecasting to guide capacity decisions, with CapEx expected to remain around 3-4% of depreciation. He described the tax bill's expensing provisions as 'catnip' for smaller industrial customers, anticipating a positive demand influence separate from the aerospace sector.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to RBC Bearings (RBC) leadership • Q4 2025

    Question

    Kristine Liwag of Morgan Stanley asked for an estimate of RBC's commercial aerospace revenue potential at higher Boeing production rates, inquired about the specific drivers of the Industrial segment's outperformance, and questioned how the successful Dodge integration impacts the company's M&A strategy and aperture for future deals.

    Answer

    Executive Mike Hartnett provided specific revenue uplift figures for rate increases on the 737, 787, and A320 programs. He attributed industrial growth to improving service levels, launching new products at Dodge, and long-term pipeline opportunities. On M&A, he explained that the Dodge success reinforces their confidence and detailed their strategy of targeting companies serving existing customers to leverage relationships and their deep manufacturing expertise for synergy.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to Howmet Aerospace (HWM) leadership

    Kristine Liwag's questions to Howmet Aerospace (HWM) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Kristine Liwag of Morgan Stanley asked about potential supply chain bottlenecks that could hinder OEM ramps and for an update on order intake related to the Precision Castparts (PCC) facility accident.

    Answer

    Executive Chairman and CEO John Plant identified the build-out of narrow-body engines as a critical area to watch, noting the large number of engineless aircraft at Airbus. On the PCC matter, he stated that Howmet has now secured close to $40 million in orders, up from the $25 million mentioned last quarter. The company is still bidding on several hundred additional part numbers and expects the new business to contribute to revenue growth over the next twelve months.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to Howmet Aerospace (HWM) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Kristine Liwag from Morgan Stanley asked about the long-term potential for incremental margins given Howmet's transformation and future production rates, and also about capital allocation priorities, including returning 100% of free cash flow.

    Answer

    Executive Chairman and CEO John Plant stated that predicting long-term margins is difficult due to market volatility. On capital allocation, he highlighted a strong track record of cash return, confirming plans for a larger share buyback in 2025 and an increased dividend, while also deleveraging the balance sheet towards a 1.1x net debt to EBITDA target.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to Howmet Aerospace (HWM) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    Kristine Liwag inquired about the assumptions underpinning Howmet's 2025 guidance, particularly the build rate expectations for commercial aerospace.

    Answer

    Executive Chairman and CEO John Plant explained that the 12% commercial aerospace growth forecast for 2025 is a cautious estimate, as external forecasts seem unrealistic given ongoing uncertainties, especially with Boeing's production ramp post-strike. He characterized 2024 as a 'miserable year' for aircraft builds and stated the company is taking a conservative 'art of the possible' approach until production rates become clearer.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to Leonardo DRS (DRS) leadership

    Kristine Liwag's questions to Leonardo DRS (DRS) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Kristine Liwag of Morgan Stanley asked about risks from other rare earth metals besides germanium and the potential operational impact if shortages persist. She also questioned how European governments perceive DRS, given its U.S. base and European parent, and how this affects business opportunities.

    Answer

    Chairman & CEO William Lynn identified permanent magnets for the electric power business as another material of focus but stated current supplies are secure. On European perception, he affirmed DRS is viewed as a U.S. company but has a unique opportunity to partner with its majority shareholder, Leonardo, to operate as a 'home team' in Europe, citing opportunities in the UK.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to Leonardo DRS (DRS) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    On behalf of Kristine Liwag from Morgan Stanley, an analyst asked about the risks and opportunities for DRS from the U.S. Army's transformation and sought to reconcile DRS's healthy bookings with peer commentary about slower contracting activity.

    Answer

    CEO William Lynn expressed confidence in DRS's position with the Army, highlighting the growing need for longer-range sensors and the company's platform-agnostic technology that can pivot to legacy upgrades or new autonomous vehicles. He stated that DRS did not see any slowdown in customer demand, with bookings in Q1 exceeding expectations at nearly $1 billion, resulting in a 1.2 book-to-bill ratio.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to Leonardo DRS (DRS) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    An analyst on for Kristine Liwag asked if the 2025 growth profile would be similar across the ASC and IMS segments and requested an update on the South Carolina facility build-out and related CapEx.

    Answer

    CFO Mike Dippold stated that both segments are expected to contribute to 2025 growth, with the IMS segment having an additional tailwind from favorable Columbia program pricing. He also noted that CapEx for the year would be in the mid-to-high 3% range of revenue, with a ramp-up in Q4 as the South Carolina project catches up from a slower first half.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to AerCap Holdings (AER) leadership

    Kristine Liwag's questions to AerCap Holdings (AER) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Kristine Liwag from Morgan Stanley questioned AerCap's long-term growth prospects given its large scale and decelerating order book post-2027, and asked when the net spread might begin to expand again.

    Answer

    CEO Aengus Kelly expressed confidence in long-term growth, emphasizing that the company's focus is on profitable growth and value creation, not growth for its own sake. CFO Pete Juhas projected that the net spread would expand from current levels due to rising portfolio lease rate factors and tailwinds from the roll-off of COVID-era leases, while reiterating that the primary management metric is EPS.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to AerCap Holdings (AER) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Kristine Liwag of Morgan Stanley questioned AerCap's long-term growth trajectory given its large scale and whether achieving outsized returns is becoming more difficult. She also asked about potential ways to reduce interest costs and when the net spread might expand.

    Answer

    CEO Aengus Kelly expressed confidence in long-term growth, noting the aviation industry doubles every 20 years and that AerCap's goal is profitable growth, not growth at any price. He reiterated that buying back AerCap stock is often the best investment. CFO Pete Juhas projected that the net spread will expand going forward as portfolio lease yields continue to climb. He added that the company is not at peak profitability, as the financial benefits of current strong market deals will flow through in the coming years.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to FTAI Aviation (FTAI) leadership

    Kristine Liwag's questions to FTAI Aviation (FTAI) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Kristine Liwag of Morgan Stanley asked about airline customer reception of the module exchange program, the nature of the deal with a major U.S. airline, the path to reaching 1,800 annual module capacity, and the future M&A strategy for repair capabilities.

    Answer

    David Moreno, COO, detailed the production ramp-up, attributing it to specialization at the Montreal facility and the integration of the new Rome shop. Joseph Adams, Chairman, CEO & Director, described customer reception as excellent, as the MRE program saves airlines time and money while eliminating risk. He added that technician hiring is the main constraint to reaching full capacity, which is being addressed via a new training academy and augmented reality tools. Future M&A will focus on piece-part repair to further vertical integration.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to FTAI Aviation (FTAI) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Kristine Liwag sought clarification on the components of the first-half free cash flow forecast, specifically the timing of a $200 million inventory investment. She also asked about the sourcing of attractively priced CFM56 parts and if prices are rising.

    Answer

    CEO Joseph Adams provided a detailed breakdown of the H1 2025 free cash flow projection, confirming the $200 million parts investment is included in the calculation that yields $350 million. Regarding sourcing, Adams explained their advantage comes from buying unserviceable parts and using in-house repair capabilities, which lowers costs. He acknowledged that parts prices are beginning to increase.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to FTAI Aviation (FTAI) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Kristine Liwag inquired about FTAI's competitive moat, asking why competitors have not replicated its vertically integrated model. She also asked about the Strategic Capital Initiative (SCI), specifically the drivers for its increased size to $4 billion and the definition of success for the investment vehicle.

    Answer

    CEO Joe Adams explained that FTAI's moat is built on a multi-year strategy of owning a large, focused engine fleet and dedicated maintenance facilities, similar to major airlines but offered as an outsourced service. He highlighted exclusive PMA parts and the new SCI as significant, hard-to-replicate barriers. Regarding the SCI, Adams noted that favorable debt terms allowed for higher leverage and increased size, supported by a strong deal flow of over $1 billion already committed. Success is defined by delivering higher returns at lower risk to investors, capitalizing on a market opportunity exceeding $20 billion annually.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to BOEING (BA) leadership

    Kristine Liwag's questions to BOEING (BA) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Kristine Liwag of Morgan Stanley asked CEO Kelly Ortberg to reflect on his first year at Boeing, including his biggest surprises and his key priorities for 2026.

    Answer

    President & CEO Kelly Ortberg said he was pleased with the company's progress in turning the ship around but acknowledged much work remains. He noted that any surprises were more related to macro dynamics than internal issues. His priorities remain focused on improving performance, restoring trust with customers and stakeholders, and building confidence in the company's products and processes.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to HEXCEL CORP /DE/ (HXL) leadership

    Kristine Liwag's questions to HEXCEL CORP /DE/ (HXL) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Kristine Liwag from Morgan Stanley asked for details on Hexcel's currency exposure in Europe, its hedging policy, and the potential margin impact of a weaker dollar. She also questioned why Hexcel may not be achieving the same level of pricing power as some peers in contract negotiations.

    Answer

    CFO Patrick Winterlich noted Hexcel enters each year roughly 75% hedged and that a weaker dollar would be a marginal headwind. CEO Tom Gentile addressed pricing, explaining that while maximizing price is the goal, negotiations involve strategic trade-offs, including positioning for critical future programs like the next-generation narrow-body aircraft.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to TEXTRON (TXT) leadership

    Kristine Liwag's questions to TEXTRON (TXT) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Kristine Liwag from Morgan Stanley asked if tariffs on competitors could create an opportunity for market share or pricing gains at Aviation. She also inquired about customer reception and the service entry timeline for the eAviation Nuva V300.

    Answer

    Scott C. Donnelly, Chairman, CEO & President, was reluctant to speculate on long-term tariff impacts but acknowledged they could potentially normalize pricing dynamics. Regarding the Nuva V300, he noted ongoing flight tests and early interest from military applications but stated he sees 'no pathway' to commercial certification in the near term for this class of aircraft.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to TEXTRON (TXT) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Kristine Liwag inquired about the demand environment for Bell's commercial helicopters and asked if Textron is seeing increased business jet demand from corporate clients due to manufacturing reshoring in the U.S.

    Answer

    Chairman and CEO Scott Donnelly described the commercial helicopter demand as 'solid' across all product lines and end markets, including paramilitary, medical, and oil and gas. Regarding business jets, he confirmed a strong demand environment but could not anecdotally correlate it directly to reshoring, suggesting instead that a favorable long-term economic outlook and tax policy are key drivers.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to LOCKHEED MARTIN (LMT) leadership

    Kristine Liwag's questions to LOCKHEED MARTIN (LMT) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Kristine Liwag of Morgan Stanley asked for an assessment of the F-35 program's current role in modern warfare, its priority for the DOD amidst funding for other programs like the B-21, and the outlook for international orders.

    Answer

    CEO James Taiclet affirmed his high confidence in the F-35's enduring importance, citing its proven combat effectiveness and its status as the only 5th-generation fighter in production in the free world. He also described a strategic pivot to create a 'best value bridge' to 6th-generation capabilities by porting advanced R&D to the F-35 platform, aiming to deliver enhanced effectiveness at a fraction of the cost of a new aircraft.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to LOCKHEED MARTIN (LMT) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Kristine Liwag of Morgan Stanley asked for an assessment of the F-35's current role in modern warfare, its priority level for the DOD, and the outlook for international orders, considering recent DOD budget cuts and funding shifts to other priorities like the B-21.

    Answer

    CEO James Taiclet expressed high confidence in the F-35's long-term importance, highlighting its proven combat performance in recent operations and its unique status as the only 5th-generation fighter in production in the free world. He also mentioned the company's strategic pivot to create a 'best value bridge' from 5th to 6th-generation capabilities for the F-35 and F-22 platforms.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to LOCKHEED MARTIN (LMT) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Kristine Liwag asked about the underappreciated risks of tariffs on Lockheed Martin's business and inquired about new CFO Evan Scott's priorities as he navigates this environment.

    Answer

    Evan Scott, CFO, stated that while the company has protections and mitigation strategies for tariffs, the primary risk is the timing lag between incurring and recovering costs. Maria Lee, an executive, noted that 40% of contracts are cost-type, offering a buffer. Scott then outlined his priorities as maintaining momentum, focusing on shareholder value, and driving performance, speed, and growth.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORP /DE/ (NOC) leadership

    Kristine Liwag's questions to NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORP /DE/ (NOC) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Kristine Liwag from Morgan Stanley asked how Northrop Grumman plans to maintain its long-term position in European markets amid a focus on indigenous capabilities, and which three programs management is most excited about given recent funding changes.

    Answer

    Chair, CEO & President Kathy Warden emphasized a strategy of partnership, citing the IBCS architecture's ability to integrate local systems and co-production agreements for munitions. She identified B-21, Sentinel, and E-2D as the three existing programs she is most excited about due to significant new funding and acceleration opportunities, while also highlighting the new opportunities presented by the Golden Dome for America initiative.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORP /DE/ (NOC) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Kristine Liwag inquired about key risk retirement milestones for the B-21 program, the potential for further charges from tariffs, and Northrop Grumman's strategic advantages in AI compared to commercial competitors.

    Answer

    CEO Kathy Warden explained that B-21 is completing the EMD phase and has started LRIP, with the recent charge reflecting learning from scaling up production. She noted that in AI, Northrop's strength lies in mission expertise and integrating AI into complex defense systems, often partnering with commercial firms like NVIDIA for their platforms.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to RTX (RTX) leadership

    Kristine Liwag's questions to RTX (RTX) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Kristine Liwag of Morgan Stanley asked about the long-term free cash flow potential, questioning if $10 billion could be a minimum level in 2027 and beyond given market tailwinds and the end of GTF-related cash outflows.

    Answer

    CFO Neil Mitchill reaffirmed the 2025 free cash flow guidance of $7.0-$7.5 billion and detailed the drivers for second-half growth. He noted that 2025 'operational' free cash flow is approximately $8.5 billion when excluding powder metal-related payments. While not committing to a $10 billion figure, he expressed confidence in strong future cash generation driven by OE and aftermarket growth, a robust defense backlog, and tax benefits.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to RTX (RTX) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Kristine Liwag asked if the aerospace and defense industry's role as a net exporter is part of discussions with the administration regarding tariffs and if RTX has the flexibility to ramp up capacity for a potential $1 trillion U.S. defense budget.

    Answer

    Executive Chairman and CEO Christopher Calio confirmed that RTX consistently advocates for the industry's position as a net exporter and a prime example of U.S. competitiveness. Regarding capacity, he stated that the company is already in an 'urgent mode' of increasing capacity across its footprint, citing recent investments in Arizona, Alabama, and Arkansas to meet strong current and future defense demand.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to Planet Labs PBC (PL) leadership

    Kristine Liwag's questions to Planet Labs PBC (PL) leadership • Q1 2026

    Question

    Kristine Liwag from Morgan Stanley questioned the potential risk from NASA's proposed budget cuts and asked whether the expected tapering of high customer usage from Q1 reflects lower demand or seasonality.

    Answer

    CEO Will Marshall positioned the NASA budget situation as an opportunity, noting the administration's push for lower-cost solutions. President & CFO Ashley Fieglein Johnson clarified that usage patterns can be seasonal but also that some government clients may throttle usage to stay within annual budgets, which is a forecasting consideration rather than a signal of weakening demand.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to Planet Labs PBC (PL) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Kristine Liwag of Morgan Stanley asked for more details on the new NATO contract and its potential size, inquired about the expected contributions from the first Tanager satellite, and questioned Planet's positioning for the NGA's AI data labeling initiative.

    Answer

    CEO Will Marshall described the NATO deal as a significant, ramping opportunity, confirming the program has government commitments of up to $1 billion over five years. He noted the first Tanager satellite is in commissioning, with a nascent but promising market being developed with customers in environmental, government, oil and gas, and agriculture sectors. Marshall clarified that the NGA's initiative is focused on data labeling, which Planet does not do, positioning the company's strengths in applying foundation models to its data for threat detection.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to HEICO (HEI) leadership

    Kristine Liwag's questions to HEICO (HEI) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Kristine Liwag asked about the specific drivers behind the aftermarket's strong 16% organic growth and questioned HEICO's pricing strategy relative to OEMs, who are aggressively raising prices.

    Answer

    Co-CEO Eric Mendelson attributed the growth to a combination of cost savings for airlines, high parts availability, and HEICO's credibility at scale. He emphasized that while HEICO could raise prices more, it intentionally restrains pricing for loyal, long-term customers to build relationships, passing on only direct cost increases.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to CURTISS WRIGHT (CW) leadership

    Kristine Liwag's questions to CURTISS WRIGHT (CW) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Kristine Liwag asked about the current administration's support for nuclear energy and how geopolitical uncertainty and tariffs might affect international projects in Poland and Bulgaria. She also inquired about the timeline for realizing benefits from the increased emphasis on shipbuilding.

    Answer

    CEO Lynn Bamford expressed strong confidence in the administration's support for nuclear energy, citing direct involvement from officials in advancing projects in Poland and Bulgaria. Regarding shipbuilding, she acknowledged that major programs take time but highlighted immediate benefits, such as an increase in industrial-based funding from $15 million to $21 million and new opportunities to gain share on existing fleet maintenance.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to CURTISS WRIGHT (CW) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    Speaking on behalf of Kristine Liwag, Justin asked for management's thoughts on potential risks from the upcoming U.S. election to the defense and commercial nuclear businesses, and for an update on the M&A pipeline and capital deployment.

    Answer

    CEO Lynn Bamford expressed confidence due to strong bipartisan support for defense spending and nuclear leadership, seeing minimal risk from the election. She confirmed the M&A pipeline is active, with the immediate focus on closing the Ultra Energy deal. CFO Chris Farkas added that the balance sheet will remain strong post-acquisition, positioning them well for future M&A.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to V2X (VVX) leadership

    Kristine Liwag's questions to V2X (VVX) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Justin, on behalf of Kristine Liwag, asked about the decline in Middle East revenue and whether the company expects its book-to-bill ratio to be above 1.0 for the full year.

    Answer

    SVP and CFO Shawn Mural explained the Middle East revenue dip was due to timing and tough year-over-year comparisons, and was consistent with their internal plan. Regarding bookings, he stated that V2X expects to add to its backlog for the full year (implying a book-to-bill above 1.0), with a back-half weighted profile for new orders that will be more fixed-price and domestic in nature.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to GENERAL DYNAMICS (GD) leadership

    Kristine Liwag's questions to GENERAL DYNAMICS (GD) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Kristine Liwag asked for quantification of potential cost savings GDIT could provide the government and its impact on revenue. She also inquired about customer behavior and pricing for older Gulfstream models as the new G700 and G800 enter service.

    Answer

    Jason Aiken, EVP of Technologies, declined to quantify potential savings, deeming it inappropriate during ongoing customer dialogues. Phebe Novakovic, Chairman and CEO, addressed the Gulfstream question, stating that demand for the G500 and G600 remains strong as they serve different mission profiles. She also noted the final G650 delivery occurred in the quarter, marking the end of its production.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to CAE (CAE) leadership

    Kristine Liwag's questions to CAE (CAE) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Kristine Liwag of Morgan Stanley sought to understand the risks to the Civil outlook, asking how much of the second-half forecast is already booked and how potential new aircraft delivery delays could further impact pilot hiring.

    Answer

    CEO Marc Parent clarified that simulator deliveries and business aviation bookings provide high visibility and stability. He identified the main risk as the assumption of a pilot hiring recovery in the Americas, which is based on current bookings and customer expectations. He emphasized that the company built conservatism into its outlook and is managing risk through cost savings and adjusting CapEx to the low end of its guided range.

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    Kristine Liwag's questions to Spirit AeroSystems Holdings (SPR) leadership

    Kristine Liwag's questions to Spirit AeroSystems Holdings (SPR) leadership • Q3 2023

    Question

    Asked about the extent of Boeing's financial support, including whether Boeing could help underwrite the 2025 debt refinancing. Also asked about expected 737 margins in 2026 given inflation and the pricing step-down.

    Answer

    Mark Suchinski described the Boeing MOA as a "win-win" agreement, not charity, and stated that Spirit has access to capital markets and does not need Boeing to underwrite its refinancing. He deferred the question about 2026 737 margins, saying the focus is on 2023 and the upcoming 2024 guidance.

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