1 Stock I'd Buy Before FTAI Aviation in 2026
2026-01-23 16:35:00 ET
FTAI Aviation (NASDAQ: FTAI) and Hexcel (NYSE: HXL) are two attractive stocks in the aviation sector, and while Hexcel looks like the better buy right now for long-term investors, they are actually complementary companies for a portfolio. Here's why.
The main difference is that FTAI focuses only on the aerospace aftermarket, while Hexcel's advanced composite materials are used in the original equipment market (OEM). Owning both stocks lets investors benefit when aircraft production is strong (Hexcel) and also when manufacturers like Airbus and Boeing face delays, causing airlines to use and service older planes more often (FTAI Aviation).
This "dual threat" of being relevant in both the OEM and aftermarket is part of the reason GE Aerospace (NYSE: GE) , the leading engine manufacturer that sells engines under long-term service agreements (LTSA), has performed so well in recent years.
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