QinetiQ Group plc (QQ.L)
A £2.6 billion British defence and security powerhouse born from the old government research labs, keeping the nation's tech ahead of the curve.
Is QinetiQ Group plc a good stock for a UK beginner?
The honest version: There's no rating here and nothing for sale. In its favour: Deep roots and trusted relationships with the UK Ministry of Defence. Worth weighing: Modest net profit margin of 5.6%. Below, we lay out what it does, what its numbers mean, and the honest risks, so you can decide for yourself.
Over about 2 years to 2026-07-31. This is the share price only - reinvesting the dividends would add to it. Past performance is not a guide to the future, and it could just as easily have fallen.
How much has QinetiQ Group plc actually fallen?
Over the last 2 years of daily prices, QinetiQ Group plc fell as much as −32% from a high to a later low. Drops of this size are a normal part of owning a share - worth knowing in advance, so a dip doesn't come as a shock.
Worst peak-to-trough fall in the daily closing price over the period we hold. Past falls are not a forecast - it can fall further, or recover.
Based on beta - how much the price swings versus the whole market. Bumpier isn't bad; it just means a rougher ride, which matters more the sooner you might need the money.
Prices move on results, news and the mood of the whole market - no single headline explains a day, and a quiet week is usually just noise, not a signal.
Decades of increased global defence spending flowing straight to the bottom line
Major shifts in government defence priorities or severe budget cuts
What does QinetiQ Group plc do?
This British defence titan tests, builds, and advises on cutting-edge military technology, earning its crust through long-term government contracts. It makes its money by solving complex engineering puzzles for armed forces, from radar systems to cyber defence. The crucial thing to keep an eye on is how smoothly its order book turns into actual cash in the bank.
On our factor screen it looks strongest on momentum and income, and weakest on quality.
- ✓Pays a dividend - about 2.2% a year
- ✓Growing - revenue up about 4% over the year
- ✓Strong return on shareholder money (ROE 18%)
- Deep roots and trusted relationships with the UK Ministry of Defence
- Solid return on equity of 18.2% showing efficient capital use
- Lower market volatility shown by a gentle beta of 0.3
- Heavy reliance on government spending decisions and political cycles
- Potential for costly overruns on fixed-price engineering contracts
- Slowing organic revenue growth if contract wins dry up
What do QinetiQ Group plc's numbers mean?
Does QinetiQ Group plc pay a dividend?
Yes - QinetiQ Group plc currently pays a dividend of about 2.2% a year (the yearly payout as a share of the price). A dividend is a slice of profit handed to shareholders; the yield moves as the price moves, and a company can cut or stop it.
What do the numbers say about QinetiQ Group plc's dividend?
There's no rating here, and we don't judge whether the dividend will continue - that would be advice. Here are the figures income investors usually look at, and what each one means, so you can weigh it up yourself.
Figures are from the latest available data and can be distorted by one-off results. Past payments don't predict future ones, and a dividend can be cut at any time. This lays out the numbers to help you understand them - it is not a view on what will happen.
When does QinetiQ Group plc report earnings, and how did recent quarters go?
QinetiQ Group plc is next scheduled to report on about 2026-11-12 - dates can move, and we don't predict results; this just tells you when to look.
Each quarter a company reports its results against what analysts expected. ‘Beating’ or ‘missing’ is about that expectation, not whether the business is doing well in absolute terms.
See who else reports over the next two weeks →
Reported vs expected earnings per share (EPS) from published results; the expectation is the analyst consensus, not our view. Report dates are estimates that can move.
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Southwest Airlines Co.What are the scenarios for QinetiQ Group plc?
An illustrative range for the year ahead, with the assumption behind each case — not a prediction or a price target.
What are the pros and cons of QinetiQ Group plc?
How many points the write-up makes each way — a balance check, not a score or verdict.
- Deep roots and trusted relationships with the UK Ministry of Defence
- Solid return on equity: How much profit the company makes for each £1 shareholders have put in. Higher usually means a more efficient business. of 18.2% showing efficient capital use
- Lower market volatility shown by a gentle beta of 0.3
- Forward earnings multiple is notably lower than the trailing one
- Modest net profit margin of 5.6%
- Relatively low gross margin: The share of each £1 of sales left after the direct cost of making the product, before other running costs. Higher usually means more pricing power. of 16.4% due to the nature of complex contracting
- Revenue growth: How fast the company's sales grew versus a year ago. is currently humming along at a slow 3.8%
- Heavy reliance on government spending decisions and political cycles
- Potential for costly overruns on fixed-price engineering contracts
- Slowing organic revenue growth: How fast the company's sales grew versus a year ago. if contract wins dry up
The write-up's own warning lights — if these start happening, the case above changes.
- A sudden and sustained drop in government defence budgets
- A sharp, unexpected deterioration in operating margins
Built from public filings & market prices, checked for an education-only tone, and never a price target. How we make these →
This plain-English summary was auto-generated on 2026-08-02 from public data and checked for an education-only, no-advice tone (the figures above carry their own, usually fresher, 'as of' date). It's information, never a recommendation.