Executive Mosaic’s GovCon Index extended its current stretch of gains to a fifth straight session Wednesday and a second consecutive all-time record close to stay on track for a third straight weekly rise in a shortened trading week.U.S. stock markets are closed Thursday for the Thanksgiving holiday and are open 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Eastern time Friday.
GovCon Index gainers outnumbered decliners by a 3-to-1 ratio and 10 of its 11 S&P 500 stocks advanced with co-listed L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL) the best net performer in the GCI at a rise just short of $3.00.
L-3 hit a new 52-week high in late afternoon trade to help lift the GovCon Index after the New York City-based contractor said post-close Tuesday its potential $315.5 million acquisition of aviation security technology provider MacDonald Humfrey Automation.
That deal represents L-3’s second airport security-related buy over less than two months as the company announced in October its $117.5 million purchase of Implant Sciences‘ explosive trace detection business.
GCI aerospace stocks Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL) added at least $2.00 with Honeywell International (NYSE: HON) up more than $1.00, while both were followed by Orbital ATK (NYSE: OA) and Navistar International (NYSE: TXT).
Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE: HII) posted a loss above $1.00 to lead GCI decliners.
Gains in industrial shares lifted the Dow Jones Industrial Average to a record close for a second consecutive day but losses in technology stocks dragged the S&P 500 to narrow range.
Futures markets have now priced in 100-percent odds of a December interest rate hike after the Federal Reserve‘s November meeting minutes indicated policymakers saw a greater case for a move next month, Bloomberg reported.
Real estate led five S&P 500 sectors higher with telecommunications the lowest performer of the remaining six.
Market Summary
| Index | Value | Net Change | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| GovCon Index | 88.877 | +0.323 | +0.365% |
| S&P 500 | 2, 204.72 | +1.78 | +0.08% |
| Dow Jones Industrial Average | 19, 083.18 | +59.31 | +0.31% |
| NASDAQ | 5, 380.68 | -5.67 | -0.11% |
| Advancing GovCon Index Issues | 24 |
| Declining GovCon Index Issues | 8 |
| Unchanged GovCon Index Issues | 0 |
Top GovCon Index Net Gainers
| Symbol | Company | $ Current Price | Net Change –´ | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LLL | L-3 Communications * | 154.99 | +2.93 | +1.93% |
| COL | Rockwell Collins, Inc. | 90.90 | +2.04 | +2.30% |
| HON | Honeywell International * | 113.83 | +1.31 | +1.16% |
| OA | Orbital ATK | 86.55 | +0.79 | +0.92% |
| NAV | Navistar International | 31.07 | +0.71 | +2.34% |
Top GovCon Index Percentage Gainers
| Symbol | Company | $ Current Price | Net Change | % Change –´ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KBR | KBR | 17.13 | +0.51 | +3.07% |
| NAV | Navistar International | 31.07 | +0.71 | +2.34% |
| COL | Rockwell Collins, Inc. | 90.90 | +2.04 | +2.30% |
| LLL | L-3 Communications * | 154.99 | +2.93 | +1.93% |
| EGL | Engility Holdings | 36.97 | +0.55 | +1.51% |
Lowest GovCon Index Net Performers
| Symbol | Company | $ Current Price | Net Change –¾ | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HII | Huntington Ingalls Industries | 177.72 | -1.20 | -0.67% |
| NOC | Northrop Grumman * | 247.59 | -0.48 | -0.19% |
| CACI | CACI International | 128.75 | -0.40 | -0.31% |
| GIB | CGI Group | 47.88 | -0.32 | -0.66% |
| CUB | Cubic Corp. | 46.55 | -0.30 | -0.64% |
Lowest GovCon Index Percentage Performers
| Symbol | Company | $ Current Price | Net Change | % Change –¾ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HII | Huntington Ingalls Industries | 177.72 | -1.20 | -0.67% |
| GIB | CGI Group | 47.88 | -0.32 | -0.66% |
| CUB | Cubic Corp. | 46.55 | -0.30 | -0.64% |
| CACI | CACI International | 128.75 | -0.40 | -0.31% |
| NOC | Northrop Grumman * | 247.59 | -0.48 | -0.19% |
