Wall Street Sees Opportunity in Defense Contractor Stocks on Bright Outlook
A F-22 Raptor fighter jet, manufactured by Lockheed Martin Corp. at the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition in South Korea.
Photographer: SeongJoon Cho/BloombergUS aerospace stocks have been soaring recently, but analysts see opportunities in a lagging cohort they’re often clumped with: defense contractors.
The S&P Composite 1500 Aerospace & Defense Index has jumped 40% from its tariff-driven low on April 4, while the S&P 500 has climbed 24% over the same period. The advance has largely been powered by aerospace companies while prominent defense names in the index, such as Northrop Grumman Corp. and Lockheed Martin Corp., have been among the biggest laggards.