London, Jan 30, 2026, 08:44 GMT — Regular session
- Shares dipped 0.1% in early London trading, following a 1.1% fall the previous day
- BAE announced a new buyback program, planning to cancel the repurchased shares
- Data Link Solutions JV secured a $248 million production contract from the U.S. Navy for Link 16-capable radios
BAE Systems (BAES.L) shares slipped slightly in early Friday trading following a fresh announcement of share buybacks. Investors also weighed a $248 million contract secured by its Data Link Solutions joint venture from the U.S. Navy. By 0830 GMT, the stock had dropped 0.1% to 1,971.5 pence, after sliding roughly 1.1% on Thursday. 1
The muted move is significant as BAE approaches a results period lacking immediate company catalysts. Traders are focusing on contract activity and cash returns to support the stock’s valuation. Buybacks help reduce share availability, while new U.S. orders draw attention for their tendency to be steady and grow over time.
Defence procurement remains busy across Europe, holding investor attention despite broader market turbulence. This week, Norway sealed a $2 billion arms contract with South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace. European governments continue to pump money into defence capabilities and stocks amid ongoing security concerns. 2
BAE announced on Friday that on Jan. 29 it repurchased 107,860 ordinary shares for cancellation under its buyback scheme, paying between 1,967.0 pence and 1,998.5 pence each. The volume-weighted average price came to 1,983.2 pence. This brings the total shares bought in the programme’s second tranche to 15,966,342. 3
Data Link Solutions, a joint venture between BAE Systems and Collins Aerospace (an RTX unit), announced it secured a $248 million production contract from the U.S. Navy. The deal covers the delivery of hundreds of Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS) terminals. “This contract demonstrates the ongoing need to equip our warfighters with a high-performing, secure command and control solution,” said Brian Shadiack, Data Link Solutions’ director. The company noted that Link 16 is a NATO and allied standard for sharing real-time tactical data. Production will take place in Wayne, New Jersey, and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 4
Buybacks don’t count as earnings, yet they can nudge earnings per share higher by cutting the share count—assuming profits stay steady. They also send a message that management feels confident handing back cash, despite ongoing strains in factories and supply chains throughout the sector.
The broader market has felt uneven at times this week, as investors toggle between sectors and regions amid major U.S. earnings reports. “There seems to have been a rotation out of European and U.K. stocks in favour of U.S. technology stocks,” Axel Rudolph, senior financial analyst at IG, noted earlier in the week. 5
But risks remain. U.S. defense orders could be delayed by budget timing, and production increases might face component shortages; ongoing buybacks won’t shield the stock if results or forecasts fall short.
Investors are eyeing BAE’s final results set for Feb. 18, when updated forecasts and cash flow guidance are due. The buyback pace will likely remain a key focus leading up to that announcement. 6
