The end of the earnings season is always a good time to take a step back and see who shined (and who didn’t). Let’s take a look at how aerospace stocks fared in Q2, starting with Hexcel (NYSE: HXL).

Aerospace companies often possess technical expertise and have made significant capital investments to produce complex products. It is an industry where innovation is important, and lately, emissions and automation are in focus, so companies that boast advances in these areas can take market share. On the other hand, demand for aerospace products can ebb and flow with economic cycles and geopolitical tensions, which can be particularly painful for companies with high fixed costs.

The 16 aerospace stocks we track reported a very strong Q2. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 2% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 5.1% above.

Amidst this news, share prices of the companies have had a rough stretch. On average, they are down 17.8% since the latest earnings results.

Hexcel (NYSE: HXL)

Founded shortly after World War II by a group of engineers from UC Berkley, Hexcel (NYSE: HXL) manufactures lightweight composite materials primarily for the aerospace and defense sectors.

Hexcel reported revenues of $529.3 million, up 8% year on year. This print was in line with analysts’ expectations, and overall, it was a strong quarter for the company with full-year EPS guidance exceeding analysts’ expectations and a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Chairman, CEO and President Tom Gentile said, “Rising build rates at our commercial aerospace customers drove strong sales growth this quarter. Sales growth was particularly strong for both the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 programs, with quarterly sales for these two platforms reaching their highest levels since before the pandemic. The increase in total sales generated meaningful operating leverage that contributed to solid earnings for the quarter with adjusted EPS of $0.66 per share.”

Hexcel delivered the weakest full-year guidance update among its peers. Investor expectations, however, were likely higher than Wall Street’s published projections, leaving some wishing for even better results (analysts’ consensus estimates are those published by big banks and advisory firms, not the investors who make buy and sell decisions). The stock is down 14.6% since reporting and currently trades at $90.22.

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

Best Q2: Astronics (NASDAQ: ATRO)

Integrating power outlets into many Boeing aircraft, Astronics (NASDAQ: ATRO) is a provider of technologies and services to the global aerospace, defense, and electronics industries.

Astronics reported revenues of $260 million, up 27% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 6%. The business had a stunning quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and full-year revenue guidance exceeding analysts’ expectations.

Astronics pulled off the highest full-year guidance raise of the whole group. Although it had a fine quarter compared to its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 17.9% since reporting. It currently trades at $61.52.

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

Weakest Q2: 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 $70.93 million, down 33.9% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 12.7%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

AerSale delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates and slowest revenue growth among its peers. As expected, the stock is down 24.4% since the results and currently trades at $4.76.

Read our full analysis of AerSale’s results here.

HEICO (NYSE: HEI)

Founded in 1957, HEICO (NYSE: HEI) manufactures and services aerospace and electronic components for commercial aviation, defense, space, and other industries.

HEICO reported revenues of $1.41 billion, up 23.1% year on year. This print topped analysts’ expectations by 4.4%. It was a stunning quarter as it also recorded a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

The stock is down 10.9% since reporting and currently trades at $312.73.

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

Moog (NYSE: MOG.A)

Responsible for the flight control actuation system integrated in the B-2 stealth bomber, Moog (NYSE: MOG.A) provides precision motion control solutions used in aerospace and defense applications

Moog reported revenues of $1.12 billion, up 15.2% year on year. This number beat analysts’ expectations by 3.8%. Overall, it was a stunning quarter as it also logged a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and full-year EPS guidance exceeding analysts’ expectations.

The stock is down 10.3% since reporting and currently trades at $376.10.

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

Market Update

Over the past year, investors have been forced to repeatedly answer the same question: what is the market’s biggest risk? The answer has changed several times, and each shift has reshaped market leadership.

Late in 2025 and early 2026, artificial intelligence became the market’s primary uncertainty. Investors questioned whether AI would erode software pricing power and weaken competitive moats as AI made it easier to replicate once-differentiated products.

By the spring, technology took a back seat to geopolitics. The U.S. conflict with Iran briefly became the market’s dominant narrative, raising concerns about oil prices, inflation, and global growth. But as energy markets remained orderly and fears of a prolonged supply disruption faded, investors quickly turned their focus back to fundamentals.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Top 5 Growth Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.