LONDON -- BAE Systems
The FTSE 100 member added that the projection was dependent on a "satisfactory conclusion to the pricing negotiations this year with the Saudi Arabian government on the Typhoon Salam program."
The City's current earnings consensus is around 40 pence per share, placing the shares on a possible P/E of eight.
The group claimed the defense environment in the U.K. remained "stable," although the outlook for the U.S. government defense budget continued to be affected by "uncertainty as to how the U.S. federal deficit reduction will be implemented."
BAE said new-business highlights since July included the U.K. government reaffirming its commitment to replacing certain Royal Navy frigates from 2021 and a 190 million pound contract from the U.S. military to upgrade 353 Bradley fighting vehicles.
Today's statement followed yesterday's news that BAE and EADS, the Franco-German aerospace group, had scrapped plans to merge. Reflecting on the deal's breakdown, BAE chief executive Ian King said:
We are obviously disappointed that we were unable to reach an acceptable agreement with our various government stakeholders. We believe the merger presented a unique opportunity for BAE Systems and EADS to combine two world class and complementary businesses to create a world leading aerospace, defense and security group. However, our business remains strong and financially robust. We continue to see opportunities across our platforms and services offerings and in the various international markets in which we operate. We remain committed to delivering total shareholder value and look to the future with confidence.
Certainly, an independent BAE is more attractive to Neil Woodford, the legendary equity income investor who earlier this week slammed the proposed EADS merger by saying it "did not provide any visibility for dividends beyond 2013." Indeed, Woodford described BAE this week as a "strong business with distinctive positions in the global defense market and good stand-alone prospects."
That could be all you need to know to press the "buy" button.
You see, Woodford has a sensational track record of picking winning FTSE shares that come backed with solid dividends. During the 15 years to 2011 for instance, his favorite large caps produced a 347% gain -- equivalent to more than eight times the return of the wider market. Right now, Woodford's Invesco Perpetual funds control a whopping 9% of BAE. You can learn more about Woodford's enormously successful dividend-investing approach by reading this exclusive Motley Fool report. The report is full of valuable income insights and is free to download by clicking here.
Investing is by no means easy in today's uncertain economy. That's why we've published "The Market's Top Sectors" -- our guide to three favorable industries. This free report will be dispatched immediately to your inbox.
Further Motley Fool investment opportunities:
