Astronics price target lowered to $17 from $20 at Truist

Truist lowered the firm’s price target on Astronics (ATRO) to $17 from $20 and keeps a Hold rating on the shares as part of a broader research note previewing 2025 for the Aerospace & Defense industry. The new year feels like “groundhog day”, with 2024 investors’ sentiment bullish on an aero OEM production recovery while turning bearish on the aftermarket rally, the analyst tells investors in a research note. The firm adds however that while aircraft production is likely to improve in 2025 off an easy comp, planned production rates increases are not materializing as fast as expected and we think the aftermarket still has legs. Truist further notes that within the Defense sector, the November Election and announcement of DOGE weighed on performance, though the sell-off has also created an attractive entry point.