What is the potential for additional or followâon contracts from the Department of Defense or other government agencies?
Potential for FollowâOn Government Business
The $7âŻmillion order for transportable SATCOM terminals is a clear indicator that the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) views GilatâŻDefense (NASDAQ:GILT) as a trusted supplier for missionâcritical communications. Historically, DoD acquisitions in the satelliteâcommunications space are phased: an initial lowâvolume âseedâ contract is followed by larger, multiâyear production orders once hardware performance and logistics are validated. Gilat already has an established portfolio of Tactical Satellite Terminal (TST) systems (e.g., the Skylark family) that are on the DoDâs approved equipment list, and the current award is likely a âfollowâonâ to a prior FYâ2023 FYâ2024 award. Given the DoDâs FYâ2025 budget increase of ~7âŻ% for tactical communications and the ongoing modernization push under the âJoint AllâDomain Command and Controlâ (JADC2) initiative, the probability of additional contractsâpotentially scaling the order from singleâdigit millions to a twoâdigit figure within the next 12â18âŻmonthsâis high.
Trading Implications
From a fundamentals standpoint, this contract adds immediate revenue (~$7âŻM) and, more importantly, serves as a catalyst for a pipeline of larger, multiâyear procurements that could lift Gilotâs 2025â2026 revenue guidance by 8â12âŻ%. The market has already priced a modest premium (sentiment score 70) but the upside remains underâabsorbed. Technically, GILT is trading above its 50âday SMA with a bullish MACD crossover and RSI hovering near 60, suggesting momentum is still intact. A break above the recent high of $12.70 could trigger a shortâterm rally toward the $13.50â$14.00 range, where the 200âday SMA and prior resistance sit. Conversely, a pullback below the $11.50 support would raise doubts about the durability of the contractâdriven rally.
Actionable Takeâaway: Maintain a long position or consider adding on dips near $11.50, targeting $13.50â$14.00 as the market prices in the likelihood of followâon DoD and other federal agency contracts (e.g., NASA, FEMA). Keep an eye on any further DoD procurement announcements or FYâ2025 budget releases, which could act as catalysts for a more sizable price move.