BAE Systems share price slides as buyback update lands and investors eye Feb 18 results

BAE Systems share price slides as buyback update lands and investors eye Feb 18 results

London, Feb 5, 2026, 09:33 GMT — Regular session

  • BAE Systems shares dropped roughly 1.5% in early London trading, continuing a decline that’s now stretched over two days.
  • A regulatory filing revealed the group purchased 110,861 shares for cancellation as part of its buyback.
  • A $195 million vehicle order from the U.S. Marine Corps and ongoing UK strike action are in focus ahead of the February 18 results.

Shares of BAE Systems (BAES.L) dipped roughly 1.5% on Thursday, settling around 1,847 pence. Earlier in the session, the stock fluctuated between 1,839.3 and 1,875 pence. (Investing)

The broader London market hovers close to record highs, but stocks pulled back as traders kept an eye on macroeconomic cues. The FTSE 100 notched an all-time peak Wednesday, with investors now awaiting the Bank of England’s upcoming policy decision for clues on interest rates. (Reuters)

BAE dropped 2.95% on Wednesday, closing at 1,874.5 pence, underperforming the FTSE 100’s 0.85% rise, according to MarketWatch. The shares finished roughly 13% below their 52-week peak of 2,159 pence, with trading volume falling short of the 50-day average. (MarketWatch)

A Regulatory News Service filing on Tuesday revealed new buyback activity. BAE Systems said it bought 110,861 shares for cancellation on Feb. 2, at a volume-weighted average price (VWAP) of 1,930.32 pence — a figure that reflects the average price weighted by trade size — as part of its ongoing share repurchase programme. (TradingView)

BAE landed a $195 million contract to deliver 30 more Amphibious Combat Vehicles for the U.S. Marine Corps, pushing the total orders for the cannon-equipped ACV-30 variant past 150. Rebecca McGrane, vice president of Amphibious Vehicles at BAE Systems, called the deal a testament to their strong partnership. (PR Newswire)

Labour tensions are on investors’ radar. Workers at BAE facilities in northwest England intend to strike starting Feb. 2, with action set to last until at least Feb. 20 over pay disagreements, a Unite union spokesperson told Reuters. (Reuters)

The next major milestone for the stock is earnings. According to BAE’s investor calendar, full-year results are expected on Feb. 18. (Baesystems)

At this stage, the share price moves seem more like a reset following a tough stretch rather than a direct response to a single headline. The buyback offers some steady support behind the scenes, but it hasn’t prevented investors from cutting back when selling picks up.

Downside risks are evident. An extended or expanded industrial dispute could strain production schedules and pressure delivery deadlines. Meanwhile, any sign of weaker order flow or more challenging pricing in results would probably weigh heavily on sentiment.

Stock Market Today

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    February 5, 2026, 5:44 AM EST. In January, the S&P 500 rose 1.4%, driven by eight sectors posting gains. Energy led with a 14.4% rise, followed by materials, consumer staples, industrials, and communication services. Financials, technology, and health care sectors declined. Top January performers included Sandisk (up 143%) and Moderna (up 49%). Q4 earnings season shows strength; 77% of 166 companies outperformed estimates, exceeding the 67% long-term average. Earnings growth forecast is 10.9% year-over-year for Q4, led by technology at 30%. Growth is expected to accelerate in 2025 and 2026. Forward price-to-earnings ratio stands at 22.3, slightly down from November. Analysts' target prices and returns for all S&P 500 stocks suggest mixed expectations, with caution advised over potentially unrealistic high forecasts.
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