Sen. Ashley Moody’s Timely Aerospace Trade Raises Eyebrows as Howmet Stock Surges 45%

WASHINGTON—Sen. Ashley Moody (R-FL) disclosed purchasing between $50,000 and $100,000 worth of shares in Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE: HWM) on January 22, 2025. This Senator Ashley Moody Howmet Aerospace stock trade occurred shortly before a significant rise in the company’s stock price. It sparked renewed concerns about congressional trading practices. Since Moody’s trade, the aerospace manufacturer’s shares have climbed approximately 45%. They closed at $181.73 per share Friday, marking another daily increase of about 3%.

Notably, the Senator Ashley Moody Howmet Aerospace stock trade was publicly disclosed under the STOCK Act on February 21. It highlighted the senator’s investment just weeks before Howmet reported robust earnings, driven by strong aerospace demand and substantial government defense contracts. The timing of her investment, coinciding with significant federal aerospace spending initiatives, has drawn criticism from ethics watchdogs.

“Given recent congressional activity boosting defense budgets and aerospace funding, the timing here raises legitimate questions,” said Dylan Parker, ethics director at the nonprofit group Public Ledger. “Lawmakers trading individual stocks tied to industries benefiting directly from their legislative actions inevitably creates at least the perception of conflicts of interest.”

Following Senator Ashley Moody’s Howmet Aerospace stock trade, the company, a key supplier of titanium components and advanced engine parts for major commercial and defense aerospace companies, reported stronger-than-expected quarterly earnings. This propelled its shares sharply upward. Analysts have since increased price targets. They are citing sustained high demand from Boeing and Lockheed Martin.

Moody’s office declined to comment specifically on the trade. They referenced only that her investment portfolio is managed independently by financial advisers without her direct involvement.

Critics argue that even indirect trading by members of Congress undermines public trust. Bipartisan legislative efforts to ban or restrict Senator Ashley Moody Howmet Aerospace stock trade among lawmakers remain stalled despite ongoing scrutiny.

Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), a vocal advocate for prohibiting congressional stock trading, emphasized the need for reforms. “We continue to see examples like this that highlight why comprehensive reform is urgently needed.”

As Howmet shares hover near record highs, the debate around transparency and ethics in congressional investments is likely to intensify.