If you’ve ever looked at a chart for Lockheed Martin (LMT), you’ve probably noticed it doesn't move like a tech stock. It’s not flashy. It doesn’t pull 10% gains on a random Tuesday because of a "viral" product launch. Instead, the lockheed martin stock price history reads more like a slow-motion geopolitical thriller.
Basically, this company is the ultimate "incumbent." When the world gets messy, LMT tends to get busy. But honestly, if you're just looking at the price line, you’re missing the actual story of how this defense giant turned into a dividend machine that outpaced the S&P 500 for decades.
The Early 2000s: A Post-Merger Identity Crisis
Back in 2000, Lockheed Martin wasn't the juggernaut we know today. It was still finding its legs after the 1995 merger between Lockheed Corporation and Martin Marietta. The stock actually started the millennium around the $20 to $25 range (adjusting for splits).
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Then 9/11 happened.
The world changed, and so did the US defense budget. You’ve probably heard people say that defense stocks are a "sure bet" during war, but the reality is more nuanced. Between 2000 and 2002, the stock price essentially doubled. It was a massive run. Investors realized that the era of the "peace dividend" was over. The F-22 Raptor and early stages of the F-35 program became the backbone of the company's valuation.
That Long, Slow Grind (2010 - 2020)
For a long time, LMT was kinda boring. If you held it during the 2010s, you weren't seeing Tesla-style gains. But you were seeing something else: consistent dividend growth. Around 2013, the stock really broke out. It cleared the $100 mark and never looked back. This was the era of the F-35 Lightning II becoming "too big to fail." Despite the headlines about cost overruns and technical glitches, the Pentagon kept cutting checks. By the time 2019 rolled around, the stock was trading near **$390**.
- 2013: A breakout year with a roughly 60% return.
- 2017: Shares surged as global tensions and a focus on "Great Power Competition" took hold.
- 2018: A rare dip. The stock fell about 18% as the broader market wobbled and people worried about peak defense spending.
The 2022 Pivot and the Ukraine Factor
Everything changed in February 2022. When Russia invaded Ukraine, the "defensive" nature of LMT stock became literal. The stock price jumped from roughly $380 in early 2022 to over $480 by the end of the year.
It wasn't just speculation. It was the realization that the world’s ammunition stockpiles were empty. Systems like the HIMARS and Javelin—both Lockheed products—became household names. Suddenly, the lockheed martin stock price history wasn't just about stealth jets; it was about the "industrial base."
What’s Happening Right Now? (2025 - 2026)
We are currently seeing a weird, high-stakes moment for the stock. As of January 2026, Lockheed Martin is trading in the $550 to $560 range. Just a week ago, it hit a 52-week high of $564.
Why? It’s a mix of two things. First, the 2025 delivery numbers were huge—they delivered a record 191 F-35 jets. Second, there's been massive talk about a proposed $1.5 trillion US defense budget for fiscal 2027.
But it’s not all green candles. On January 7, 2026, the stock actually dropped nearly 5%. Why? Because the administration floated the idea of restricting dividends and buybacks for defense contractors. It’s a reminder that LMT is a "political" stock. Its biggest customer is the US government, and that customer can be temperamental.
The Dividend Factor: The Real Reason People Buy
If you look at the lockheed martin stock price history and ignore the dividends, you’re only getting half the math. Lockheed is often called a "Dividend Aristocrat" in the making.
They’ve increased their dividend for over 20 consecutive years. Right now, the quarterly payout is about $3.45 per share. That’s a yield of roughly 2.5% to 2.8%. For a "value" investor, that’s the holy grail: a stock that grows steadily and pays you to wait.
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Common Misconceptions About LMT Stock
Most people think Lockheed Martin only makes airplanes. Kinda true, but mostly false.
The company is split into four segments:
- Aeronautics: This is the F-35 and F-22. It's the biggest chunk of revenue.
- Missiles and Fire Control: Think PAC-3 and HIMARS. This is growing like crazy right now.
- Rotary and Mission Systems: Sikorsky helicopters (Black Hawks) and naval systems.
- Space: Satellites and hypersonic tech. This is the "frontier" part of the stock that investors watch for long-term growth.
Actionable Insights for Investors
If you're looking at the lockheed martin stock price history and wondering if you missed the boat, here’s how to actually think about it:
- Watch the "Backlog": This is the most important number. As of early 2026, LMT’s backlog is sitting near record highs. This is basically "guaranteed" future revenue. If the backlog shrinks, the stock usually follows.
- The $480 Support Level: Historically, when the stock dips, it tends to find a floor around previous breakout points. In late 2025, $480 was a major resistance level; now, it’s considered strong support.
- Geopolitical Sensitivity: LMT often moves inversely to the S&P 500 during a crisis. If the market is tanking because of global instability, defense stocks often act as a "safe haven."
- The F-35 Lifecycle: We are moving from the "production" phase to the "sustainment" phase. This means LMT will make more money on maintenance and upgrades than on building the actual planes. That’s a higher-margin business, which is good for the stock price.
Lockheed Martin isn't a get-rich-quick play. It's a "the world is a dangerous place and someone has to build the hardware" play. Understanding its price history is really about understanding the last 25 years of global security.
Next Steps for You: Check the upcoming January 29, 2026, earnings call. Analysts are looking for a 33% increase in year-over-year earnings per share. If they miss that, you might see a better entry point below the $540 mark. Also, keep an eye on the "Space" segment revenue; it’s currently the smallest part of the business but has the highest potential for a valuation re-rating if their hypersonic contracts scale.