What is the total value of the EPSÂźX00 electric propulsion system contract and its contribution to Safran's order backlog?
Contract size & backlog impact
SafranâŻDSIâs agreement with AstroForge to supply two EPSÂźâŻX00 electricâpropulsion units is a $30âŻmillion contract. According to Safranâs latest quarterly reporting, the companyâs total order backlog sits at roughly $2.9âŻbillion. Consequently, the EPSÂźX00 deal adds about 1âŻ% to that backlog â a modest but strategically significant contribution given the highâmargin, technologyâlead nature of the product.
Trading implications
The announcement is a positive catalyst for SAFRâs stock. On the fundamentals side, the contract reinforces Safranâs growing presence in the emerging electricâpropulsion market, a segment expected to grow at >10âŻ% CAGR through 2035. Although the $30âŻM deal is small relative to the overall backlog, it signals a deepening relationship with a new commercialâspace customer (AstroForge), which could open a pipeline of future contracts (e.g., additional propulsion units or downstream services). The news pushes the sentiment indicator to +70, indicating strong market optimism.
Actionable insight
- Shortâterm: Expect a modest uptick in the stock on the news day, especially on volumeâdriven platforms; consider entering a smallâtoâmedium long position (e.g., 1â2âŻ% of portfolio) on any pullâback, targeting a 3â5âŻ% upside as the market digests the news.
- Mediumâterm: Keep an eye on Safranâs quarterly guidance; if management highlights the EPSÂźX00 platform as a âstrategic growth driver,â it could justify a 6â12âŻ% price appreciation over the next 3â6âŻmonths as investors reâprice the companyâs exposure to the fastâgrowing electricâpropulsion market.
- Risk: The contractâs size is modest, so any material upside will depend on broader sector sentiment (e.g., funding for asteroid missions) and Safranâs ability to convert this initial win into a broader contract pipeline. Monitor the next earnings release for any updates on the orderâbacklog composition and potential guidance upgrades.