Alliant Techsystems Inc. (NYSE: ATK) is major U.S. producer of advanced weapon and space systems. ATK was formed in 1990 as a spin off of Honeywell International's defense businesses. Headquartered in Edina, Minnesota, ATK currently has approximately 16,000 employees and operates in 24 states, producing defense products and weaponry, ammunition, and nonmilitary aerospace products such as components of satellites and space exploration vehicles.^[1] The company's clients are varied and range from the U.S. government to commercial clients who purchase ATK's sporting ammunition.

Given ATK's reliance on the U.S. government's foreign policy, military spending significantly impacts its businesses. The Iraq War, for instance has led to 64% increase in ATK's profits over the last 4 years. Since ATK is also involved in providing nonmilitary-use ammunition for commercial sale, it is also affected by trends in the nonmilitary market, such as the trend towards "green" ammunition, which uses fewer heavy metals (e.g. lead). ATK's nonmilitary ammunition is purchased by law enforcement agencies across the country, as well as for consumer use in recreational hunting.

(Read more at Wikinvest )