iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (BATS: ITA)

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iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF

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The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index (the Underlying Index), which measures the performance of the aerospace and defense sector of the U.S. equity market, as defined by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (the Index Provider or SPDJI). Aerospace companies in the Underlying Index include manufacturers, assemblers and distributors of aircraft and aircraft parts. Defense companies in the Underlying Index include producers of components and equipment for the defense industry, such as military aircraft, radar equipment and weapons. The Underlying Index includes large-, mid- or small-capitalization companies and may change over time. As of March 31, 2024, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the aerospace and defense and industrials industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.

General Electric Co.

Raytheon Co.

Boeing Co

Lockheed Martin Corp

Howmet Aerospace Inc.

Northrop Grumman Corp.

L3Harris Technologies Inc.

General Dynamics Corp.

Axon Enterprise Inc

Transdigm Group Inc.

iShares US Aerospace & Defense ETF

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Palantir y BlueForge presentan &#34;Warp Speed for Warships&#34;, una iniciativa que acelerará la construcción naval en EE.UU.

Palantir y BlueForge lanzan &#34;Warp Speed for Warships&#34; para modernizar la construcción naval

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Boeing gana impulso en bolsa tras recibir un pedido clave de China Airlines por 14 aviones 777X. ¿Se rompe el hielo con Asia?

Acciones de Boeing suben tras millonario pedido de China Airlines por 14 aviones 777X

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Las acciones de Boeing aumentan tras un contrato de 240M$ para reacondicionar helicópteros MH-47G Block II para el Ejército de EE. UU.

Acciones de Boeing (BA) suben tras recibir contrato de 240M$ para helicópteros militares

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Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DPRO#NASDAQ">DPRO</a>) announced Wednesday the successful sale of multiple Draganfly Heavy Lift Drones to a Fortune 50 telecommunications company.
Draganfly is a developer of drone solutions and systems, and Infinity Communications, a provider of rapid deployment communications infrastructure.
The sale, finalized following extensive field testing, will support UAV-based emergency response operations and enhance the customer&#8217;s emergency communication network capabilities.
The transaction marks a significant step in integrating advanced unmanned aerial systems into large-scale disaster response strategies, the company said.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/07/46494422/draganfly-dpro-stock-plummets-on-25m-offering-what-investors-need-to-know" rel="noreferrer noopener">Draganfly (DPRO) Stock Plummets On $25M Offering: What Investors Need To Know</a>
Draganfly&#8217;s Heavy Lift drone platform is outfitted with advanced remote sensors, logistics, and communication payloads, making it ideally suited for delivering critical supplies and restoring connectivity in areas impacted by storms, infrastructure failure, or other emergencies.
&#8220;Thanks to our collaboration with Draganfly, our Fortune 50 customer can now leverage the critical role UAV technology and automation play in disaster response,&#8221; said Chris Coltrain, National Disaster Recovery Director at Infinity Communications.
Coltrain noted that by integrating Draganfly&#8217;s Heavy Lift drones into their deployment strategy, they demonstrated rapid, reliable delivery of life-saving equipment and swift restoration of communications in even the most challenging conditions.
&#8220;The Draganfly Heavy Lift platform is designed for high-stakes missions,&#8221; commented Cameron Chell, CEO of Draganfly. &#8220;Working with the outstanding team at Infinity Communications allows us to demonstrate the unmatched versatility of our modular design and the innovation that stems from over 25 years of UAV development.&#8221;
Price Action: DPRO shares are trading higher by 3.27% at $ 4.74 premarket at the last check on Wednesday.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/space/25/07/46713112/spacexs-heavy-handed-diplomacy-stalled-bahamas-spacex-falcon-9-landing-deal-report" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SpaceX&#8217;s Heavy-Handed Diplomacy Stalled Bahamas SpaceX Falcon 9 Landing Deal: Report</a></li>
</ul>
Photo by MacroEcon via Shutterstock

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FITE

EXCLUSIVE: Draganfly Sells Heavy Lift Drones To Fortune 50 Giant For Emergency Missions

What if the next big story in finance isn&#8217;t about a single stock but the silent surge of a diverse group of S&amp;P 500 members quietly <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/s-p-500">rewriting market records?</a>
On Thursday&#8217;s trading day, 38 S&amp;P 500 members reached new 52-week highs, CNBC pointed out. Notably, many of them reached heights not reached in decades, or even since their initial public offerings. From banking giants like Citigroup&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/C#NYSE">C</a>) to defense titans and even beauty stores, this disparate group heralds more than stock-specific breakthroughs. It&#8217;s working quietly to boost <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs">several ETFs </a>with high concentrations of these soaring stocks.
Check out the current price of&nbsp;<a href="https://archive.ph/o/7OU5N/https://benzinga.com/quote/c" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Citigroup stock here</a>.
If you&#8217;ve been holding out for indications of a general market comeback, the tape just provided one. And ETFs, those talented, underappreciated vehicles, are along for the ride. 
Of course, we cannot begin the discussion without mentioning SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>), the standard bearer for S&amp;P 500 Index performance. This fund, along with another favorite, Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VOO#NYSE">VOO</a>) are slightly up on Thursday. These funds mirror the performance of the S&amp;P 500 Index.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/07/46610320/this-overlooked-trigger-could-send-stocks-even-higher">This Overlooked Trigger Could Send Stocks Even Higher</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bank Stocks: Betting On All-Time Highs</h2>
JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>) hovered at record highs, breaking previous levels since its 1983 IPO. Citigroup, on the other hand, hit levels not seen since the pre-crisis time of November 2008. BlackRock (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BLK#NYSE">BLK</a>) came aboard, achieving its own record high since its 1999 IPO.
All three are top holdings in Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLF#NYSE">XLF</a>), which has picked up pace in the wake of good Q2 earnings, increasing net interest margins, and expectations that Fed rate cuts are imminent than they seem. Vanguard Financials ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VFH#NYSE">VFH</a>) and iShares U.S. Financials ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IYF#NYSE">IYF</a>) also provide exposure. 
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Industrial Might: The Defense Trade Is Booming</h2>
Caterpillar (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CAT#NYSE">CAT</a>) broke its new all-time high, dating back to its NYSE listing in 1929. Additionally, General Dynamics (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GD#NYSE">GD</a>) and Northrop Grumman (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOC#NYSE">NOC</a>) are soaring higher than they have at any point in their public market history.
The industrials sector has quietly been the place to be. Defense budgets remain resilient despite macro worries, and infrastructure plays like CAT are thriving amid robust demand and reshoring trends. Investors can tap into this trend via Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLI#NYSE">XLI</a>) or iShares U.S. Aerospace &amp; Defense ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ITA#BATS">ITA</a>), both of which inched up on Thursday.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Beauty &amp; Bargains: Consumers Are Still Spending</h2>
Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ULTA#NASDAQ">ULTA</a>) and Dollar Tree (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DLTR#NASDAQ">DLTR</a>) are not only surviving, but they&#8217;re thriving. Ulta hit levels not reached since April 2024, while Dollar Tree regained its June 2024 high. The message? Consumers are still swiping, even in a higher-for-longer rate environment.
VanEck Retail ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RTH#NASDAQ">RTH</a>) is capitalizing on these areas of unexpected strength in consumer spending. While technology grabs the spotlight, retail is the true dark horse of this earnings season. 
Broadcom (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>) continued its AI-driven rise, reaching new highs since its Avago IPO in 2009. 
These gains are trickling into VanEck Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMH#NASDAQ">SMH</a>), and broad tech-oriented funds such as Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLK#NYSE">XLK</a>) and Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VGT#NYSE">VGT</a>). Even equal-weight exposure, such as RSP, is experiencing a stealthy boost as mega-cap dominance becomes diluted.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The ETF Takeaway</h2>
With 38 S&amp;P 500 stocks hitting 52-week highs in vastly different sectors, the trend no longer appears to be a fluke but rather the beginning of a larger momentum wave. The allure of ETFs is that they allow investors to participate in these trends without having to individually pick winners.
Should momentum persist, these ETFs should continue to rise, not in a flashy fashion but rather in the low-key, slow-burn way to wealth.
Read Next: 
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/new-etfs/25/07/46613442/pgim-targets-yield-hunters-with-3-new-corporate-bond-etfs-in-the-pipeline">PGIM Targets Yield Hunters With 3 New Corporate Bond ETFs In The Pipeline</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: LookerStudio on Shutterstock.com

Broad U.S. Equity ETFs

ETFs

AVGO

DLTR

iShares Dow Jones US Financial Sector Index Fund

Merrill Lynch Retail HOLDRS Trust due 12/31/41

ULTA

S&P 500 Stocks At 52-Week Highs? These ETFs Just Cashed In

President Donald Trump&#8216;s America First agenda has supercharged investor flows and returns in a sector quietly dominating Wall Street in 2025—and it's not artificial intelligence <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/magnificent-seven">or the Magnificent Seven.</a>
Industrial stocks are stealing the show. Through July 22, the Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLI#NYSE">XLI</a>) is up 15% year to date, nearly doubling the S&amp;P 500's 8% return and even edging past the red-hot tech sector—a rare feat. 
Excluding 2022, industrials had underperformed tech in six of the last seven years. But this year, it's different. And the catalyst might be more political than technical.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Why Defense Stocks Are Exploding</h3>
The spark came from Capitol Hill. On July 4, Trump signed the so-called "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," a sweeping $156.2 billion boost to defense spending—the most significant one-year increase in over a decade—at the expense of Medicaid <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/05/45506863/trumps-big-beautiful-bill-advances-heres-who-wins-and-loses">and food assistance programs</a>.
That flood of Pentagon cash has ignited shares of defense companies, making them the biggest force<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/07/46453684/defense-stocks-earnings-q2-2025-preview"> behind industrial sector outperformance.</a>
The iShares U.S. Aerospace &amp; Defense ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ITA#NYSE">ITA</a>) has surged 33% so far in 2025, on pace for its best year since 2017.
Top industrial names like Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HWM#NASDAQ">HWM</a>) and GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GEV#NYSE">GEV</a>) have more than doubled the S&amp;P 500's return this year. General Electric Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GE#NYSE">GE</a>), Uber Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UBER#NYSE">UBER</a>) and Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HII#NYSE">HII</a>) have all logged gains north of 35%.
Here&#8217;s how the year-to-date top industrial performers look:
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table class="has-fixed-layout">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Company</th>
<th>YTD Return</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HWM#NYSE">HWM</a>)</td>
<td>68.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GEV#NYSE">GEV</a>)</td>
<td>68.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>General Electric Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GE#NYSE">GE</a>)</td>
<td>56.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Uber Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UBER#NYSE">UBER</a>)</td>
<td>52.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Johnson Controls Intl. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JCI#NYSE">JCI</a>)</td>
<td>38.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HII#NYSE">HII</a>)</td>
<td>36.9%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Investors Are Flooding In</h3>
According to a note by Bank of America strategist Jill Carey Hall, industrial stocks have become a magnet for new capital.
"Rolling two-week inflows into Industrials were the second largest in our data history—only topped in March 2015—and are now in the 97th percentile when adjusted for sector size," Hall wrote Tuesday.
Financials also saw solid flows, but the momentum is clearly with industrials. The trade war may have sparked fear in 2024, but 2025 is becoming a banner year for companies tied to manufacturing, logistics and defense.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Skeptics Warn This Boom May Fade</h3>
Despite the rally, not everyone is convinced the industrial renaissance will last.
Oxford Economics economist Nico Palesch said the idea of a manufacturing "resurgence" driven by Trump's tariffs is more myth than material shift.
"We do not see broad-based reindustrialization on the horizon," Palesch said. His team expects U.S. industrial production to grow just 0.9% in 2025 and shrink by 0.8% in 2026—well below the pre-election forecasts.
Among the headwinds cited: higher costs for materials and machinery due to tariffs, uncertainty deterring investment, and stricter immigration policies exacerbating labor shortages in the industrial sector.
Still, some of Trump's policies—such as immediate expensing of factory investments and a weaker dollar—could help mitigate the downside.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Bottom Line: A Politically Supercharged Trade</h3>
Industrials may not be as hyped as AI, but they've become 2025's stealth outperformers.
Fueled by defense spending, tariff reshuffling, and a surge of investor inflows, the sector is booming—and it has the Trump administration's fingerprints all over it.
Now Read
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/07/46533114/china-stocks-outperform-sp500-trump-tariffs-economy-xiaomi">Trump Wanted To Break China—Now It&#8217;s Crushing The US At Its Own Game </a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

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UBER

Trump's Sledgehammer Policies Have Ignited Wall Street's Hottest Trade—And It's Not AI

The defense sector is on fire in 2025 — and investors are watching earnings season for signs <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/07/46344520/defense-stocks-outperform-tech-trump-budget-boost">the rally can continue.</a>
The iShares U.S. Aerospace &amp; Defense ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ITA#NYSE">ITA</a>) is up 33% year-to-date through July 16, on track for its best annual return since 2013. 
The fund gained 25% in the first half alone, outperforming both the Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VOO#NYSE">VOO</a>) and the Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) by double-digit margins.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/07/46267993/lockheed-martin-tops-defense-peers-in-capital-efficiency-but-market-isnt-impressed">Lockheed Martin Tops Defense Peers In Capital Efficiency — But Market Isn&#8217;t Impressed</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Washington Fueled The Rally—Now Investors Want Results</h2>
Investors have already bought the rumors—now they want the facts. The explosive rally in defense stocks has been fueled by a fundamental shift in Washington's priorities and the rising tide of global tensions.
On July 4, President Donald Trump signed the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," a sweeping defense package that injects $156.2 billion into the Pentagon—the largest single-year boost in over a decade. 
The bill directs tens of billions toward areas that could redefine the future of warfare and defense contracting. Shipbuilding alone receives $29.2 billion, while $24.4 billion is allocated to integrated air and missile defense—what the administration has dubbed the "Golden Dome" initiative. 
Another $25.4 billion is earmarked to strengthen munitions production and shore up supply chain resilience, and $16 billion will go toward scaling low-cost weapons systems. 
The budget also includes $10.8 billion to modernize the U.S. nuclear arsenal and $8.6 billion to support new air superiority projects.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Q2 2025 Defense Earnings Preview: Who Reports and When</h3>
Defense stocks slated to report earnings by the end of July include: 
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table class="has-fixed-layout">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Company</th>
<th>Earnings Date</th>
<th>YTD % Change</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>AAR Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AIR#NYSE">AIR</a>)</td>
<td>Wed Jul 16 (After-Market)</td>
<td>+21.48%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>General Electric Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GE#NYSE">GE</a>)</td>
<td>Thu Jul 17 (Pre-Market)</td>
<td>+58.81%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RTX Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RTX#NYSE">RTX</a>)</td>
<td>Tue Jul 22 (Pre-Market)</td>
<td>+29.12%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LMT#NYSE">LMT</a>)</td>
<td>Tue Jul 22 (Pre-Market)</td>
<td>-3.25%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOC#NYSE">NOC</a>)</td>
<td>Tue Jul 22 (Pre-Market)</td>
<td>+10.37%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>General Dynamics Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GD#NYSE">GD</a>)</td>
<td>Wed Jul 23 (During-Market)</td>
<td>+13.64%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>L3Harris Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LHX#NYSE">LHX</a>)</td>
<td>Thu Jul 24 (Pre-Market)</td>
<td>+25.02%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Textron Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TXT#NYSE">TXT</a>)</td>
<td>Thu Jul 24 (During-Market)</td>
<td>+9.60%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Hexcel Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HXL#NYSE">HXL</a>)</td>
<td>Thu Jul 24 (After-Market)</td>
<td>-6.14%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Woodward Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WWD#NASDAQ">WWD</a>)</td>
<td>Mon Jul 28 (After-Market)</td>
<td>+51.46%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>The Boeing Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BA#NYSE">BA</a>)</td>
<td>Tue Jul 29 (During-Market)</td>
<td>+29.40%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Leonardo DRS Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DRS#NASDAQ">DRS</a>)</td>
<td>Wed Jul 30 (During-Market)</td>
<td>+49.25%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sturm, Ruger &amp; Co. Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RGR#NYSE">RGR</a>)</td>
<td>Wed Jul 30 (After-Market)</td>
<td>+0.66%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HWM#NYSE">HWM</a>)</td>
<td>Thu Jul 31 (Pre-Market)</td>
<td>+67.99%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ATI Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ATI#NYSE">ATI</a>)</td>
<td>Thu Jul 31 (Pre-Market)</td>
<td>+63.33%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HII#NYSE">HII</a>)</td>
<td>Thu Jul 31 (During-Market)</td>
<td>+33.78%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Analysts Are Watching In Defense Earnings</h2>
With defense stocks sitting at record highs, Goldman Sachs analyst Noah Poponak cautions that expectations are running hot. 
In a July 16 preview, Poponak and his team mapped out where they see opportunity across the aerospace and defense landscape—and where the cracks might show.
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Aerospace: Boeing Back in Focus</h4>
Goldman remains upbeat on aerospace industry, especially Boeing Co. , which delivered 60 aircraft in June—a clear improvement over earlier production trends. 
Supplier sentiment has also turned more positive, with stronger communication and steadier order flow.
Still, aircraft demand continues to exceed supply, a dynamic expected to last well into the next decade, supporting pricing power and margins across the industry.
&#8220;We like aerospace original equipment where supply remains below demand, there is multi-year growth visibility, and Boeing continues to improve production and delivery rates.&#8221; Poponak said. 
The aftermarket segment is thriving, growing faster than global available seat miles (ASMs) for four straight quarters. Goldman attributes this to pent-up demand, aging fleets, and strong pricing—a combination that should keep the sector buoyant even as near-term air travel shows signs of softening.
The business jet space looks more idiosyncratic. Leading indicators are plateauing, and while new production remains disciplined, Goldman expects fewer broad-based tailwinds going forward. Still, aftermarket sales here remain high quality and margin-rich.
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Defense Tech: Emerging Winners</h4>
Goldman favors non-traditional defense tech firms, which stand to benefit from a Pentagon pivot toward nimble, cost-effective systems. 
While reconciliation funding may not hit second-quarter results directly, it's likely to surface in earnings call commentary—and eventually in backlog growth.
"Defense tech companies appear to be on the verge of receiving significant funding relative to their size," Poponak said.
Despite near-record Department of Defense funding, Goldman is cautious on legacy hardware contractors. 
Programs like the F-35 face funding cuts, and the Pentagon is pushing for tougher terms across the industry. Instead, Goldman prefers companies aligned with funded priorities like shipbuilding and missile defense.
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Government IT: Pressure Mounts</h4>
In government IT, the risk is rising. DOGE contract reviews are leading to cancellations—most notably at Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAH#NYSE">BAH</a>). Margins, bookings, and guidance could all face pressure this quarter, particularly for firms reliant on traditional service contracts.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Goldman's Top Defense Picks And Red Flags For Q2</h3>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>TransDigm (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TDG#NYSE">TDG</a>) – Strong aftermarket growth, upside to earnings, and capital flexibility.</li>
<li>CAE Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CAE#NYSE">CAE</a>) – Valuation play with improving execution under new management.</li>
<li>L3Harris – Well-positioned for growth; exposure to missile defense spending.</li>
<li>Huntington Ingalls – Beneficiary of shipbuilding funds, improving labor dynamics.</li>
</ul>
Stocks facing headwinds:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Booz Allen – DOGE scrutiny, slowing growth, and mounting contract risks.</li>
<li>Lockheed Martin – Uncertainty around core programs and contracting terms.</li>
<li>SAIC Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SAIC#NYSE">SAIC</a>) – Back-end loaded year with potential margin compression.</li>
<li>V2X Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VVX#NYSE">VVX</a>) – Weak first quarter, high execution risk in the second half.</li>
</ul>
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SAIC

Defense Stocks Head Into Earnings At Record Highs — Is The Boom Just Beginning?

U.S. equities traded sideways on Monday as investor sentiment wavered following President Donald Trump's weekend announcement of a sweeping 30% tariff on all imports from the European Union and Mexico, set to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/tariffs">take effect August 1.</a>
Investor sentiment was further clouded by inflation concerns ahead of Tuesday's consumer price index release. Economists anticipate an annual rise from 2.4% to 2.7%, suggesting that companies may be starting to pass on higher import costs to consumers.
The second-quarter earnings season for major U.S. banks kicks off Tuesday, with JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>), Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/C#NYSE">C</a>), Wells Fargo &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>), and BlackRock Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BLK#NYSE">BLK</a>) all slated to report results before the bell.
Among sectors, energy stocks lagged as oil prices dropped 1.5% to below $67.60 per barrel. The decline came after Trump stopped short of imposing new sanctions on Russian oil, disappointing markets that had anticipated a tougher stance. While Trump did threaten 100% secondary tariffs on Russian energy exports if a ceasefire isn&#8217;t reached within 50 days, the lack of immediate measures weighed on crude.
In contrast, U.S. natural gas prices rose by more than 3%, with futures surpassing $3.40 for the first time in over a week, as rising LNG exports and forecasts for hotter-than-average weather through late July sustained demand.
The U.S. dollar index strengthened for a third straight session, up 1.4% since the start of July, and potentially snapping a five-month losing streak.
Bond markets saw continued volatility, with the 30-year Treasury yield surging to 4.98% — its highest since early June.
In precious metals, gold slipped 0.3% while silver also edged down 0.3% after hitting a fresh 14-year high last week.
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) rose 0.7% on the day but trimmed earlier gains, pulling back from its record high of $123,278. 
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Monday&#8217;s Performance In Major US Indices, ETFs</h2>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table class="has-fixed-layout">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Major Indices</td>
<td>Price</td>
<td>1-day %</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq 100</td>
<td>22,859.07</td>
<td>0.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>2,238.86</td>
<td>0.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>6,262.13</td>
<td>0.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>44,372.64</td>
<td>0.0%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Updated by 12:35 p.m. ET</figcaption></figure>
According to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/?utm_source=BZprocontent&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">Benzinga Pro</a>&nbsp;data:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>The&nbsp;Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VOO#NYSE">VOO</a>) flattened at $573.40.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>) held steady at $443.51.</li>
<li>The tech-heavy&nbsp;Invesco QQQ Trust Series&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>)&nbsp;inched 0.2% higher to $555.64.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) edged 0.2% higher to $222.13.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;Communication Services&nbsp;Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLC#NYSE">XLC</a>) outperformed, up 0.8%; the&nbsp;Energy&nbsp;Select Sector SPDR Fund&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLE#NYSE">XLE</a>) lagged, down 1.5%.</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Monday&#8217;s Stock Movers</h2>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Shares of Fastenal Co. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FAST#NASDAQ">FAST</a>) climbed 1.5% after the company beat analysts&#8217; estimates on both profit and revenue for the second quarter.</li>
<li>Ansys Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ANSS#NASDAQ">ANSS</a>) shares rose 3.9% after Synopsys secured regulatory approval from China for its $35 billion acquisition, paving the way for the deal to close.</li>
<li>Constellation Brands Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/STZ#NYSE">STZ</a>) fell nearly 5% amid concerns over proposed U.S. tariffs on Mexican imports. The company, heavily reliant on Mexican beer brands, could face rising costs, with analysts projecting a decline in operating margins for its beer segment this fiscal year.</li>
<li>APA Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APA#NASDAQ">APA</a>) fell 4% after Jefferies raised its price target to $19 from $17, while maintaining a cautious outlook on the stock. </li>
<li>Defense stocks extended gains on Monday, with the iShares U.S. Aerospace &amp; Defense ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ITA#NYSE">ITA</a>) hitting fresh record highs after President Donald Trump announced new military equipment shipments to Ukraine.</li>
</ul>
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Photo: Shutterstock

$BTC

ANSS

SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust

FAST

Wall Street Pauses As Tariff Concerns Rise, Dollar Eyes Third Straight Gain: What's Moving Markets Monday?

Rocket Lab and Kratos aren&#8217;t only sending drones and satellites into space—they&#8217;re putting <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs">defense ETFs</a> into orbit. While these cutting-edge defense stocks rocket on the coattails of fresh Pentagon policy changes and Trump-era deregulation, investors are flocking to ETFs that combine military might with next-generation innovation. With drone demand through the roof and red tape getting burned, funds like Global X Defense Tech ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHLD#NYSE">SHLD</a>) and SPDR S&amp;P Aerospace &amp; Defense ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XAR#NYSE">XAR</a>) are becoming stealth champs in 2025&#8217;s search for returns.
Defense ETFs are no longer simply the unflappable corner of the marketplace that performs well in times of war. In 2025, they&#8217;ve become high-speed vehicles catching the tailwind of advanced technology, military modernization, and now—America&#8217;s drone boom. Drone stocks jumped on Thursday night after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth released sweeping memos to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/07/46356963/drone-stocks-fly-as-defense-secretary-fast-tracks-drone-production-deployment">accelerate domestic drone production</a> and deployment. The memos, shared on X (formerly Twitter), will remove bureaucratic roadblocks and give the military the freedom to quickly embrace what Hegseth described as &#8220;vital&#8221; technologies.
Drone Stocks Get Off the Ground
Investors didn&#8217;t hesitate to respond. Kratos Defense (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KTOS#NASDAQ">KTOS</a>), Red Cat Holdings (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RCAT#NASDAQ">RCAT</a>), AeroVironment (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVAV#NASDAQ">AVAV</a>) and Unusual Machines (AMEX:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UMAC#AMEX">UMAC</a>) surged after hours on Thursday. 
The rally came on the heels of a series of pro-defense, pro-tech executive orders issued in June by President Donald Trump, designed to enhance domestic drone capabilities and counter foreign incursions in U.S. airspace. These policies are speedily reshaping the makeup and appeal of contemporary defense ETFs.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46371876/the-tesla-that-flies-archer-is-ready-for-liftoff-on-trumps-defense-boom">The Tesla That Flies? Archer Is Ready For Liftoff On Trump&#8217;s Defense Boom</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">From Tanks To Tech</h2>
With higher worldwide tensions and a Trump 2.0 platform that aligns with Pentagon growth and deregulated purchases, investors are increasingly using defense ETFs as closet growth plays. The Global X Defense Tech ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHLD#NYSE">SHLD</a>), which aims for pure-play military tech and cybersecurity over old-school aerospace exposure, is heavily invested in Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>) and international defense players BAE Systems (OTCPK: BAESF) and Rheinmetall (OTCPK: RNMBF).
Other ETFs, such as the SPDR S&amp;P Aerospace &amp; Defense ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XAR#NYSE">XAR</a>), also take a more diversified tack with equal-weight strategies that target giants such as Lockheed Martin (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LMT#NYSE">LMT</a>) and leaner disruptors such as Kratos, which also designs unmanned aerial systems.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ETF Rotation Amid Policy And Dispersion</h2>
CFRA Research&#8217;s Aniket Ullal observed in an event by Yahoo Finance last month that policy uncertainty during the Trump era is fueling all-time high market dispersion, and sector-specific ETFs such as iShares U.S. Aerospace &amp; Defense ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ITA#BATS">ITA</a>) and Select STOXX Europe Aerospace &amp; Defense ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EUAD#BATS">EUAD</a>) are becoming top beneficiaries of defense and trade-fueled tailwinds.
Defense and aerospace ETFs have been some of the strongest performers in 2025, said Ullal, adding that when dispersion is high, active ETF strategies and focused thematic exposure, particularly in sectors such as drones and military technology, will outperform.
Meanwhile, European defense exposure is warming up as NATO countries rush to keep up with U.S. defense spending. EUAD, the sole European defense ETF available in the U.S., is 77% higher this year so far on the back of heavy atop positioning in Airbus and Safran.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Stealth Tech Play For Growth Chasers</h2>
Defense ETFs were once seen as &#8220;safe&#8221; or defensive plays, offering stable returns via long-term government contracts. But in today's market, they&#8217;re increasingly about disruption, not just protection.
For weary investors of mega-cap tech prices, defense ETFs exposed to autonomy, AI, and drone systems provide a backdoor entrance into next-generation innovation. As Hegseth dismantles regulatory walls and the Pentagon leans further into automation, these funds are quickly becoming 2025&#8217;s biggest surprise growth play.
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AVAV

BAESF

EUAD

KTOS

RCAT

RNMBF

SHLD

UMAC

Rocket Lab And Kratos Are Setting Defense ETFs On Fire

While investors obsess over record highs in the S&amp;P 500 and Nasdaq 100, one sector quietly crushed them both last quarter, and real money <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-aerospace-defense-stocks">is pouring in fast.</a>
In the first half of 2025, the iShares U.S. Aerospace &amp; Defense ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ITA#NYSE">ITA</a>) surged 25%, marking the fund's best half-year performance since inception. That's a 20 percentage point outperformance over the Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VOO#NYSE">VOO</a>) and 17 points above the tech-heavy Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>).
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Defense Stocks Crushed Tech In Last Quarter's Rally</h3>
But the blowout mainly occurred in the second quarter. The ITA ETF surged 23.2% between April and June, its best quarter ever, outpacing the Nasdaq 100's sharpest rally since early 2023 by five percentage points.
Crucially, this isn't just momentum chasing. Investors have committed capital, with ITA notching 10 straight weeks of inflows through July 10—the longest stretch since early 2023.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Best Defense Stocks In 2025</h3>
Among ITA's top holdings, nine of the top 10 are firmly in the green for the year as of July 10, with only Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LMT#NYSE">LMT</a>) trailing. Here&#8217;s a look at how the biggest names are performing:
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table class="has-fixed-layout">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Name</th>
<th>Weight in ITA ETF</th>
<th>Return YTD</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>General Electric Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GE#NYSE">GE</a>)</td>
<td>20.00%</td>
<td>+50.59%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RTX Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RTX#NYSE">RTX</a>)</td>
<td>14.70%</td>
<td>+27.61%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>The Boeing Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BA#NYSE">BA</a>)</td>
<td>9.22%</td>
<td>+28.02%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GD#NYSE">GD</a>)</td>
<td>4.66%</td>
<td>+15.67%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TransDigm Group Incorporated (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TDG#NYSE">TDG</a>)</td>
<td>4.63%</td>
<td>+20.45%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HWM#NYSE">HWM</a>)</td>
<td>4.55%</td>
<td>+66.11%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>L3Harris Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LHX#NYSE">LHX</a>)</td>
<td>4.51%</td>
<td>+24.48%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOC#NYSE">NOC</a>)</td>
<td>4.47%</td>
<td>+9.24%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Axon Enterprise Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AXON#NASDAQ">AXON</a>)</td>
<td>4.40%</td>
<td>+35.59%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LMT#NYSE">LMT</a>)</td>
<td>4.39%</td>
<td>-3.34%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
Why Is The Defense Sector Booming?
This rally in defense stocks isn&#8217;t just about earnings—it's about Washington policy, global geopolitical risks, and budget flows.
Following years of underinvestment, Trump's return to the White House has kicked off a rearmament cycle.
On July 4, Trump signed the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act", unlocking $156.2 billion in targeted defense funding—the Pentagon's biggest budget infusion in over a decade.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">What's Inside The New Defense Bill?</h3>
The funding, detailed in Title II of the act, includes:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>$29.2 billion for shipbuilding</li>
<li>$24.4 billion for integrated air and missile defense – the "Golden Dome" initiative</li>
<li>$25.4 billion for munitions and supply chain resilience</li>
<li>$16.0 billion for low-cost weapons scaling</li>
<li>$8.6 billion for air superiority projects</li>
<li>$10.8 billion for nuclear force upgrades</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Defense Stocks Wall Street Is Watching Now</h3>
In a note shared earlier this week, Goldman Sachs analyst Noah Poponak flagged four defense contractors as top beneficiaries of the Pentagon&#8217;s defense spending:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HII#NYSE">HII</a>): Backed by over $5 billion in industrial supply chain funding. Already awarded a $1.3 billion workforce grant.</li>
<li>L3Harris Technologies Inc.: Poised to win missile propulsion and satellite contracts tied to the Golden Dome program.</li>
<li>Kratos Defense &amp; Security Solutions Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KTOS#NASDAQ">KTOS</a>): Builds low-cost drones and propulsion systems, a core focus in the Pentagon's push for affordable mass-produced systems. Shares of KTOS have already rallied over 70% year-to-date, marking the best performance in the ITA ETF. </li>
<li>AeroVironment Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVAV#NASDAQ">AVAV</a>): Developer of Switchblade tactical drones, a likely beneficiary of $1.4 billion in small unmanned aerial systems funding.</li>
</ul>
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Photo: Shutterstock
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Specialty ETFs

AXON

Forget Tech—Trump Just Made Defense The Hottest Trade On Wall Street

GE Aerospace Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GE#NYSE">GE</a>) has maintained strong stock performance in recent months, driven by robust aerospace demand and operational efficiency gains. Expanding margins, solid order volumes, and tariff-driven pricing strategies have all contributed to investor optimism.
The stock has climbed over 46% year to date. It is currently trading near $244, well above its 50-day moving average of around $235, and approaching its 52-week high of $260.55.
On July 7, GE Aerospace <a target="_blank" href="https://www.geaerospace.com/news/press-releases/china-airlines-signs-multi-year-service-agreement-ge-aerospace-ge9x-engines" rel="noreferrer noopener">announced</a> a multi-year service, repair, and overhaul (MRO) agreement with China Airlines covering GE9X engines for its 14 Boeing 777X aircraft. The deal reinforces a partnership that dates back to 1999, when China Airlines began operating GE90 and GEnx-powered fleets. The GE9X engine is noted for delivering 10% better fuel efficiency than its predecessor and is fully compatible with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/07/46267993/lockheed-martin-tops-defense-peers-in-capital-efficiency-but-market-isnt-impressed" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lockheed Martin Tops Defense Peers In Capital Efficiency — But Market Isn&#8217;t Impressed</a>
CEO Larry Culp <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/45721053/get-ready-to-pay-the-price-of-tariffs-ge-is-already-passing-costs-to-customers" rel="noreferrer noopener">stated</a> in early June that GE Aerospace would pass along approximately $500 million in tariff-related costs to customers. The move reflects the company&#8217;s effort to maintain margin stability amid trade-related cost pressures.
In the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44921124/ge-aerospace-expands-q1-operating-margins-ceo-talks-cost-control-to-mitigate-tariff-impact" rel="noreferrer noopener">first quarter of 2025</a>, GE Aerospace reported strong results, with revenue rising 11% year over year to $9.94 billion. Adjusted earnings per share jumped 60% to $1.49, beating the consensus estimate of $1.26. Operating margins also expanded significantly.
The company reaffirmed its full-year 2025 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/GE/guidance" rel="noreferrer noopener">guidance</a>, forecasting low double-digit revenue growth and EPS between $5.10 and $5.45, compared to a consensus estimate of $6.135.
The market is looking ahead to GE Aerospace&#8217;s second-quarter earnings, with analysts anticipating continued growth in service revenue and further pricing momentum tied to tariff pass-throughs.
In June, RBC Capital reiterated its Outperform rating on GE Aerospace and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/GE/analyst-ratings" rel="noreferrer noopener">raised</a> its price forecast to $275. Meanwhile, options market <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/insights/options/25/07/46223636/behind-the-scenes-of-ge-aerospaces-latest-options-trends" rel="noreferrer noopener">data</a> pointed to strong institutional activity ahead of the company&#8217;s second-quarter earnings report.
For broader exposure to the sector, investors may consider the iShares U.S. Aerospace &amp; Defense ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ITA#BATS">ITA</a>), and Gabelli Commercial Aerospace &amp; Defense ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GCAD#NYSE">GCAD</a>).
Price Action: GE shares are trading lower by 1.34% to $245.12 at last check on Tuesday.
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Photo by Jonathan Weiss via Shutterstock

GCAD

GE Aerospace Climbs 46% In 2025 As Investors Eye Tariff Strategy, Earnings

Nearly six months into President Donald Trump's second term, the market has picked its winners—and it's not on ESG, the strategy built around environmental,<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/esg"> social and governance principles.</a>
As deregulation gains steam and culture wars escalate, a group of so-called &#8220;sin stocks&#8221; tied to guns, booze, tobacco, and gambling is sharply beating clean investing strategies.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Sin Stocks Are Smoking ESG—and Trump Might Be The Reason</h3>
Since Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025, the USA Mutuals Vice Fund (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VICEX#NASDAQ">VICEX</a>) — a portfolio built around industries typically shunned by ethical investors — has jumped 16.4%. By contrast:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>The Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ESGV#NYSE">ESGV</a>) is up just 3.5%.</li>
<li>The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) gained 4.2%.</li>
<li>The Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) rose 6%. </li>
</ul>
This shift reflects a broader investor reallocation toward industries that benefit from Trump's deregulatory, America-first agenda—and away from sectors screened for ESG compliance.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="529" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/07105031/image-66-1024x529.png" alt="" class="wp-image-975026" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/07105031/image-66-1024x529.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/07105031/image-66-300x155.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/07105031/image-66-768x397.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/07105031/image-66-1536x794.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/07105031/image-66-2048x1059.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What's Driving Sin Stocks Higher?</h2>
The USA Mutuals Vice Fund, launched in 2002, invests at least 80% of its assets in companies tied to alcohol, tobacco, gambling, and defense.
It concentrates a minimum of 25% in these four "vice industries," which the fund defines as sectors often subject to social disapproval or regulatory risk. 
No single industry makes up more than 80% of the portfolio. The fund also maintains global exposure, investing at least 40% of assets in non-U.S. companies across a minimum of three countries.
 Its top holdings as of March 31, 2025 have delivered eye-catching returns in 2025:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>BAE Systems plc (OTCPK: BAESY): +79.3%</li>
<li>Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PM#NYSE">PM</a>): +51.8%</li>
<li>British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BTI#NYSE">BTI</a>): +46.9%</li>
<li>Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BUD#NYSE">BUD</a>): +38.8%</li>
<li>RTX Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RTX#NYSE">RTX</a>): +28.0%</li>
<li>Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>): +28.5%</li>
<li>Heineken N.V. (OTCPK: HEINY): +25.9%</li>
<li>Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOC#NYSE">NOC</a>): +9.4%</li>
<li>Diageo plc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DEO#NYSE">DEO</a>): -17.1% (the lone laggard). </li>
</ul>
In particular, a portfolio of defense contractors—tracked by the iShares U.S. Aerospace &amp; Defense ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ITA#NYSE">ITA</a>)—has surged 25% year-to-date, fueled by rising geopolitical tensions and further escalated by the recent Israel–Iran war.
&#8220;The Vice Fund remains committed to its core belief that certain stocks are undervalued because certain factions of society deem them morally questionable,&#8221; said portfolio manager Paul Strehle in the fund's latest quarterly report.
&#8220;Our core holdings remain military defense, casino, alcohol, and tobacco stocks because they typically have an inelastic customer base that is unlikely to be swayed by whether the product price rises or falls,&#8221; he added. 
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ESG Stocks Struggle Despite Big Tech Exposure</h2>
Despite the Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF including several of the market's strongest tech names, it hasn't kept up with vice stocks. 
Top 10 ESGV Holdings and 2025 YTD Returns:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>): +18.1%</li>
<li>Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>): +18.6%</li>
<li>Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>): -15.1%</li>
<li>Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>): +2.0%</li>
<li>Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>): +24.3%</li>
<li>Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>): +20.0%</li>
<li>Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>): -6.1%</li>
<li>Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>): -27.4%</li>
<li>Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>): -6.1%</li>
<li>JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>): +24.8%</li>
</ul>
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/07/46271577/trumps-big-beautiful-bill-slashes-solar-incentives-cathie-woods-ark-says-nuclear-may-now-be-cheapest-option-oklo-smr-ltbr-and-other-stocks-in-focus">Trump&#8217;s Big Beautiful Bill Slashes Solar Incentives — Cathie Wood&#8217;s Ark Says Nuclear May Now Be Cheapest Option: OKLO, SMR, LTBR And Other Stocks In Focus </a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

AAPL

AMZN

BABA

BAESY

ESGV

GOOGL

HEINY

MSFT

NVDA

TSLA

VICEX

Guns, Booze, And Gambling Stocks Are Crushing ESG In Trump's America

The benchmark S&amp;P Aerospace &amp; Defense Select Industry Index&#8217;s year-to-date return for 2025 is reported as 24.3%. Even more astonishing is that the index has basically been flat (down 2%) over the past month.
Just think about what&#8217;s happened over that month: a commitment from NATO members to massively boost defense spending, fighting between Israel and Iran and the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46042703/iran-calls-us-bombing-of-nuclear-sites-very-very-dangerous-for-everybody">U.S. bombing</a> of Iran&#8217;s nuclear sites in late June.
Wall Street traders and analysts are convinced all this turmoil will translate into big gains for defense stocks, sooner rather than later.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">NEW: Get Access To The Leaderboards That Reveal Tomorrow's Top Stocks</h2>
Updated daily, Benzinga's Top Stock Leaderboards highlight our best buys right now. Spot breakout opportunities before the crowd catches on—without the noise. Get access now and start using the same research trusted by hedge funds, analysts and serious traders. Get started <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge/?">HERE</a>.
&#8220;Recent events, including the conflicts in Iran and Ukraine and the U.S. defense budget&#8217;s surpassing $1 trillion for the first time,&#8221; said Allspring Equity Teams &amp; Investment Analytics Team in comments to Benzinga. &#8220;The scenario reinforces our team&#8217;s fundamental view that: 1) defense spending is a growing budget priority in the U.S. and globally and 2) military superiority is being rapidly redefined by technology.&#8221;
The Allspring Team also believes that any rise in defense stocks should also help the larger market.
&#8220;In the event of escalation, energy and defense stocks may provide a hedge against other segments of the equity market that might be more challenged,&#8221; the firm noted.
Additionally, spending in the global defense sector is expected to reach $2.5 trillion by 2025, surpassing the previous record set in 2024.
&#8220;One key reason for the increase is the continuing war between Russia and Ukraine, which has resulted in increased defense spending by both the European Union and the United States,&#8221; said Andrew Prochnow, analyst-at-large at Tastylive, a streaming platform geared towards options traders. &#8220;Rising tensions in the Middle East have also contributed to this trend.&#8221;
These conflicts have clearly boosted stocks in the sector, as evidenced by the rally in the iShares US Aerospace &amp; Defense ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ITA#BATS">ITA</a>). &#8220;The fund has surged by more than 25% year-to-date, and 40% over the last 52 weeks,&#8221; Prochnow noted.
With defense stocks in play right now, which standout companies make the most sense for investors? While every market maven&#8217;s portfolio goals and strategies are unique, here are three sector stocks that should provide some upbeat returns for investors through the rest of 2025, if not beyond. 
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Howmet Aerospace</h2>
Pittsburgh, PA-based aerospace and defense firm Howmet Aerospace (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HWM#NYSE">HWM</a>) has experienced a 9% increase in commercial sector growth and a 19% rise in defense aerospace revenues in the first quarter of 2025. Both trends, particularly the latter, are expected to continue for the rest of the year.&nbsp;
HWM has some big-name customers, including Boeing (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BA#NYSE">BA</a>), which uses Howmet&#8217;s parts for its once again rising 737 Max Aircraft. Lockheed Martin (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LMT#NYSE">LMT</a>) also collaborates with Howmet on its F-35 Lightning fighter jets, with orders for engine spares accumulating. With 143 A-plus rated mutual funds stashing shares of HWM and eight straight quarters of increased fund ownership, take a page out of the fund manager playbook and consider adding Howmet to your portfolio.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">RTX Corp.</h2>
RTX Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RTX#NYSE">RTX</a>), an Arlington, Virginia-based aerospace and defense company, is increasingly popping up on Wall Street charts at the moment.
&#8220;We bought RTX right around the inauguration of this administration, so we have a 12% return on our holding,&#8221; said Alexander Cooke, portfolio manager at Optimist Capital. 
RTX is a large, broad-based entity encompassing Collins Aerospace, Pratt &amp; Whitney and Raytheon, which suits Cooke just fine. &#8220;We like investments like these even outside of heightened risks,&#8221; he said. &#8220;RTX is a large cap dividend payer and more insulated when markets get overly frothy, we expect to see another 10% on this one over the next 6-9 months.&#8221;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">CrowdStrike Holdings Inc.</h2>
Cybersecurity plays a crucial role in government and defense, particularly in safeguarding highly sensitive data, both during times of war and in times of peace. CrowdStrike&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRWD#NASDAQ">CRWD</a>) stock price is $513 per share, but it&#8217;s holding its value, trading up 50% year-to-date. Citing CRWD&#8217;s highly effective AI deployment in key cybersecurity areas, such as cloud, identity and log-scale domains, Wedbush Securities recently boosted the company&#8217;s price target to $575.
&#8220;Defense technology is going to be the best pure growth play going forward,&#8221; Cooke said. &#8220;In a modern first-world scenario, boots on the ground are just not realistic.&#8221; He advises investors to view cybersecurity as the new defense. &#8220;Cybersecurity is all about protecting technology and looking for weaknesses in opposing entities rather than building missiles.&#8221;
Editorial content from our expert contributors is intended to be information for the general public and not individualized investment advice. Editors/contributors are presenting their individual opinions and strategies, which are neither expressly nor impliedly approved or endorsed by Benzinga.
Photo: Shutterstock

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CRWD

3 Defense Stocks To Buy With The Middle East In Turmoil

Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HWM#NYSE">HWM</a>) has recently seen a positive stock performance trend, driven by strong aerospace demand and improved operational efficiency.
Howmet Aerospace shares climbed this week, rebounding from a brief pullback. The stock jumped more than 4% on June 27 and, after a minor dip on July 1, is hovering between $184 and $186.
Wall Street sentiment continues to favor Howmet. RBC Capital reiterated its Outperform <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/HWM/analyst-ratings" rel="noreferrer noopener">rating</a> and raised its price forecast to $200. Truist Securities also reaffirmed its Buy rating, lifting its forecast to $192, citing strong aerospace demand and improved operational efficiency.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/46068345" rel="noreferrer noopener">BlackRock Bets Big On Defense Companies Amid Escalating Geopolitical Tensions: Palantir, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman Among Stocks In Focus</a>
In late June, Howmet awarded CEO John C. Plant a $45 million <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/secfilings/25/06/46154214/howmet-aerospace-inc-general-corporate-statement-form8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">retention grant</a> in restricted stock units (RSUs), set to vest in 2028. A related Form 4 filing disclosed that Plant received 255,363 RSUs. His base salary of $1.8 million and bonus eligibility remain unchanged under the amended agreement.
In the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/05/45139061/howmet-aerospace-confident-of-passing-tariff-costs-to-customers-stock-takes-off" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">first quarter</a>, Howmet posted revenue of $1.94 billion, up 6.5% year over year. Adjusted earnings per share surged 51% to 86 cents, surpassing Wall Street estimates.
The company raised its full-year 2025 revenue outlook to between $7.88 billion and $8.18 billion &nbsp;(prior $7.93 $billion-$8.13 billion), above the $8.07 billion consensus. EPS guidance was also boosted to a range of $3.36 to $3.44 (prior $3.13-$3.21) ahead of the $3.27 average estimate.
The company is scheduled to report second-quarter results on July 29. Analysts forecast revenue of $1.98 billion-$2.00 billion versus the consensus of $2.00 billion, and EPS expected between $0.85 and $0.87 versus the consensus of $0.80.
Howmet shares have a 52-week range of $76.99 to $187.51. After falling nearly 39% from their February highs to April lows, the stock rebounded more than 30% in the past three months. Year-to-date, it&#8217;s up approximately 64% and is trading about 6.5% above its 50-day simple moving average.
Other aerospace names, including RTX Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RTX#NYSE">RTX</a>) and General Electric Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GE#NYSE">GE</a>), have seen similar momentum amid strong sector demand. For broader exposure, investors may consider the iShares U.S. Aerospace &amp; Defense ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ITA#BATS">ITA</a>) and the Gabelli Commercial Aerospace &amp; Defense ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GCAD#NYSE">GCAD</a>).
Price Action: HWM shares were trading higher by 3.08% to $177.93 at last check Thursday.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/46246152" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iPhone Sales Bounce Back In China, But Huawei And Xiaomi Intensify Pressure</a></li>
</ul>
Photo by T. Schneider via Shutterstock

What's Going On With Howmet Aerospace Stock?

BlueForge Alliance and Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NYSE">PLTR</a>) on Wednesday <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/07/b46216033/blueforge-alliance-and-palantir-launch-warp-speed-for-warships-to-digitally-transform-the-u-s-mari">announced the launch</a> of &#8220;Warp Speed for Warships,&#8221; a new initiative aimed at modernizing the U.S. Navy&#8217;s shipbuilding efforts through digital transformation and faster production timelines.
The project, funded by the Navy&#8217;s Maritime Industrial Base (MIB) Program, builds on the existing partnership between the nonprofit defense integrator and Palantir. Its goal is to strengthen national maritime capabilities by streamlining collaboration among shipbuilders, suppliers, and key defense partners.
The program utilizes Palantir&#8217;s Warp Speed operating system, built on its Foundry platform, to connect stakeholders in real time, enhance supply chain visibility, and reduce bottlenecks across the defense manufacturing network. Coupled with BlueForge&#8217;s expertise in embedded manufacturing, the initiative aims to accelerate delivery and improve production readiness.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46166236/palantir-accenture-partner-to-infuse-ai-into-federal-agency-workflows" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Palantir, Accenture Partner To Infuse AI Into Federal Agency Workflows</a>
&#8220;Our strategic partnership with Palantir is about moving with urgency and precision, equipping America&#8217;s industrial base with the tools it needs to meet unprecedented demand,&#8221; said Kiley Wren, co-founder and co-CEO of BlueForge Alliance.
Mike Gallagher, Head of Defense at Palantir, described the collaboration as a critical step in maintaining U.S. maritime superiority and providing shipbuilders with the tools to ensure strategic advantage and peace.
General Dynamics Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GD#NYSE">GD</a>) and Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HII#NYSE">HII</a>) are among the companies likely to benefit from this initiative. Additionally, defense-oriented ETFs such as the iShares U.S. Aerospace &amp; Defense ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ITA#BATS">ITA</a>) and SPDR S&amp;P Aerospace &amp; Defense ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XAR#NYSE">XAR</a>) could see increased relevance as the program develops.
As Palantir launches its Navy modernization effort with BlueForge, a senior executive <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46189000/palantir-is-building-the-next-aws-says-top-exec-urges-startups-to-build-on-pltr-to-tackle-more-valuable-problems-than-amazon-solved" rel="noreferrer noopener">compared</a> the company to the next Amazon Web Services. He argued Palantir&#8217;s platform solves core enterprise challenges, letting startups build advanced tools without reinventing infrastructure.
Price Action: PLTR shares are trading higher by 0.08% at $130.79 premarket at last check Wednesday.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/07/46214540/palmer-luckey-peter-thiel-joe-lonsdale-launch-erebor-bank-for-startups-crypto-and-defense-a-digital-only-bet-on-the-post-svb-era-report" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Palmer Luckey, Peter Thiel, Joe Lonsdale Launch Erebor Bank For Startups, Crypto And Defense — A Digital-Only Bet On The Post-SVB Era: Report</a></li>
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Image via Shutterstock

Palantir's Tech To Supercharge US Navy Shipbuilding

Following a series of sobering near-miss incidents in U.S. airports, most recently when a Southwest Airlines (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LUV#NYSE">LUV</a>) plane came close to departing from a taxiway in Orlando, air carriers are focusing now on what could be the most priceless upgrade since in-flight Wi-Fi: cockpit alerts that scream at pilots before they undertake something disastrous.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/new-etfs/25/06/46151058/jpmorgans-new-etf-smashes-records-with-2-billion-kick-off">JPMorgan&#8217;s New ETF Smashes Records With $2 Billion Kick Off</a>
At the forefront of this air safety upgrade is Honeywell (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HON#NASDAQ">HON</a>), which has created a Runway Awareness and Advisory System (RAAS) that&#8217;s now in use across almost all of Southwest&#8217;s 800-strong Boeing 737 fleet, according to WSJ. And although this upgrade is, first and foremost, about ensuring passengers and crew are safe, it also represents a possible investment opportunity few are discussing: a boost in demand for avionics and safety technology, and the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs">ETFs that contain them</a>.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Wake-Up Call In The Cockpit</h2>
Honeywell&#8217;s system provides real-time voice and text alerts when pilots make hazardous maneuvers, such as turning onto an incorrect runway, landing too rapidly, or trying to take off from a taxiway. 
It&#8217;s not only Southwest becoming serious about safety. Other airlines such as Alaska Airlines (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALK#NYSE">ALK</a>) are bringing the system on board as well, with Airbus and Boeing (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BA#NYSE">BA</a>) allegedly working on their own in-house alert systems. With the FAA considering new proposals to mandate safety alerts on new planes, and potentially retrofits in the future, this might be only the start.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The ETF Angle: Follow The Beep</h2>
A number of large ETFs already provide exposure to aviation safety vendors such as Honeywell, and if the industry experiences an upgrade supercycle, these funds could be winners:
iShares U.S. Aerospace &amp; Defense ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ITA#BATS">ITA</a>): Top holding is Honeywell, followed by Boeing and Raytheon (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RTX#NYSE">RTX</a>). Traces defense and aerospace production companies, including safety systems and avionics.
Up 29% YTD, ITA may experience additional tailwinds if cockpit safety standards become an international standard.
SPDR S&amp;P Aerospace &amp; Defense ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XAR#NYSE">XAR</a>): Equal-weighted, providing more widespread exposure to mid-cap stocks that might include specialty avionics providers.
Comprises participants on next-gen safety software, hardware, and even autonomous flight system development.
Global X Future Analytics Tech ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AIQ#NASDAQ">AIQ</a>): Not aerospace-focused, but exposed to companies embedding AI in safety and risk-reduction systems. 
As cockpit notifications become more sophisticated with AI-based pattern recognition, funds such as AIQ might soon be cleared for takeoff.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why Now?</h2>
Let&#8217;s link the dots:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Increasing pilot shortages translate into more dependence on safety technology.</li>
<li>Busy airports and tighter flight schedules raise the margin for error.</li>
<li>High-profile accidents (such as the Air Canada near-miss at San Francisco or the 2006 Comair crash) are spurring regulators and carriers into action.</li>
<li>Public perception: Airlines are keen to demonstrate that they&#8217;re spending money on safety amid growing concern.</li>
</ul>
In short, the cockpit alert boom is not merely a safety tale, it&#8217;s a story about tech adoption, and in the markets, that&#8217;s where the actual jet fuel resides.
For the moment, cockpit warnings might be barking alarms within aircraft, but shareholders might find themselves tuning in as well. Aviation safety technology is taking to the skies quietly, and the ETFs that have exposure to it could be up next for a smooth ride.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/sector-etfs/25/06/46151686/nvidia-just-became-the-worlds-most-valuable-stock-is-it-time-for-a-semiconductor-etf-rethink">Nvidia Just Became The World&#8217;s Most Valuable Stock; Is It Time For A Semiconductor ETF Rethink?</a></li>
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Runway Ready: Can Aviation Safety Tech Be The Next Frontier For Aerospace ETFs?

Nuburu Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN: BURU) announced Friday that it is making <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/06/b46137628/nuburu-advances-defense-tech-transformation-with-strategic-acquisitions-and-50m-military-deploymen" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">steady progress</a> in its strategic pivot toward defense and security technologies, which is highlighted by its planned acquisition of Italy-based Tekne SpA. The stock rallied following the announcement.
The deal, currently under review through Italy&#8217;s Golden Power process, is progressing as expected, with indications pointing to a favorable outcome.
Executive Chairman Alessandro Zamboni called Tekne&#8217;s &#8220;Tactical Bubble&#8221; a critical component in Italy&#8217;s military modernization. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/price-target/25/06/45909938/optics-rebound-in-sight-j-p-morgan-boost-targets-on-coherent-lumentum-amid-tec" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Optics Rebound In Sight: J.P. Morgan Boost Targets On Coherent, Lumentum Amid Tech Shift Easing</a>
The real-time battlefield system enhances communication, decision-making, and situational awareness across deployed units. It features integrated defenses against threats such as drones and electromagnetic interference.
Valued at over €50 million euros (approximately $58.5 million), Tekne&#8217;s ongoing contract with the Italian Ministry of Defense includes full deployment of the Tactical Bubble platform, which was recently showcased in large-scale exercises &#8220;Stella Alpina&#8221; and &#8220;Scudo 25.&#8221;
Alongside the Tekne deal, Nuburu is also advancing the acquisition of a SaaS startup designed to bolster cyber and operational resilience in sensitive infrastructure. Both transactions remain subject to regulatory and shareholder approval, with due diligence and audits underway.
Zamboni said the progress validates Nuburu&#8217;s strategy to diversify beyond laser tech and into high-growth verticals like defense-tech and homeland security. The company is also investing in emerging technologies, including Agentic AI while exploring fintech integration through its partnership with Supply@ME Capital Plc.
Related ETFs: SPDR S&amp;P Aerospace &amp; Defense ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XAR#NYSE">XAR</a>), iShares U.S. Aerospace &amp; Defense ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ITA#BATS">ITA</a>).
Price Action: BURU shares are trading higher by 16.29% at $0.40 on Friday&#8217;s last check.
Read Next:
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46111425/natos-new-5-target-for-defense-a-win-for-trump-carney-turns-to-critical-minerals" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NATO&#8217;s New 5% Target For Defense A Win for Trump; Carney Turns To Critical Minerals</a>
Image by DC Studio via Shutterstock

BURU

Why Is Nuburu Stock Soaring On Friday?

NATO's 32 member states agreed to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, representing a significant increase from the long-standing 2% benchmark.
The new target is the most ambitious in the alliance's 76-year-old history and a major political win for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/donald-trump" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. President</a> Donald Trump, who had long criticized European allies for underfunding their militaries.
"Our investments will ensure we have the forces, capabilities, resources, infrastructure, warfighting readiness, and resilience needed to deter and defend in line with our three core tasks of deterrence and defence, crisis prevention and management, and cooperative security," the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/official_texts_236705.htm" rel="noreferrer noopener">press release</a> stated.
The agreement includes a 3.5% floor for core defense spending, encompassing troops, weapons, and ammunition, and allows up to 1.5% for related areas, such as infrastructure, cybersecurity, and civilian preparedness.
Members must follow credible annual progress plans, with a major review anticipated for 2029. The declaration also commits allies to expand defense industrial cooperation, eliminate trade barriers, and invest in emerging technologies such as drones and satellite systems.
In a message that Trump shared on social media and AP News <a target="_blank" href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-rutte-text-message-nato-signal-6263810ac3ca77a5bf7366499f51c772" rel="noreferrer noopener">relayed</a>, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that Trump "will achieve something no American president in decades could get done."
Still, major issues were sidestepped. The summit delivered no new aid for Ukraine, offered no updated posture on Russia, and avoided discussing China. "All the big challenges were left off the agenda," Torrey Taussig, a former Europe director at the U.S. National Security Council, said, according <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/25/world/europe/nato-increase-military-spending-trump.html" rel="noreferrer noopener">to</a> the New York Times.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Carney Leans on Critical Minerals</h2>
The 5% goal significantly widens what counts as defense spending, offering nations flexibility to invest in long-term resilience—such as transportation networks and innovation hubs—tied to national security. NATO leaders framed the move as essential to confronting growing threats and maintaining credible deterrence.
"We are investing at the scale and urgency required by the new era of strategic competition," the official summit document stated.
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney noted that the country is ready to meet the new spending requirement, estimating that a 5% pledge would cost about CA$150 billion ($109 billion) over the next decade. Still, he pointed out that roughly one-third of that is already underway, with investments in critical mineral infrastructure that support defense resilience.
Carney clarified his country's focus on advanced technologies, such as drones, AI, satellites, and cyber warfare—not heavy platforms like carriers—and said spending would evolve as threats change. "We'll do a review in four or five years," he said <a target="_blank" href="https://financialpost.com/news/economy/carney-says-canada-can-hit-new-110-billion-nato-bill-with-mines" rel="noreferrer noopener">per</a> Financial Post, adding that defense and trade talks with Trump remain active.
Read Next:&nbsp;
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46109160/japans-top-trade-negotiator-calls-trumps-25-auto-tariffs-unacceptable-amid-ongoing-talks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Japan's Top Trade Negotiator Calls Trump's 25% Auto Tariffs' Unacceptable' Amid Ongoing Talks</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock

Eurozone

Financing

Politics

Global

Market Vectors Environmental Services Index Fund

ROKT

NATO's New 5% Target For Defense A Win for Trump; Carney Turns To Critical Minerals

BlackRock, in its latest note, highlighted the defense sector as a prime investment opportunity, driven by accelerating geopolitical fragmentation and a global emphasis on national security.
What Happened: The financial giant is sharpening its focus on specific regions and technologies, with a strong preference for the United States.
According to BlackRock, the U.S. stands out due to its substantial defense expenditure, which, as SIPRI data indicates, &#8220;spends more than double on defense than Europe.&#8221;
Furthermore, the U.S. is home to the most sophisticated defense and defense technology firms, serving as a key supplier for critical systems like air and missile defense for many nations.
Within the defense sector, BlackRock highlights significant prospects in defense tech. This broad category encompasses not only artificial intelligence (AI) and software companies but also essential IT services and hardware, such as semiconductors, that power advanced defense capabilities.
The firm anticipates that numerous private defense tech companies could launch initial public offerings (IPOs) in the coming years, offering public market investors new avenues into this expanding theme. Space tech is another area of interest, expected to benefit from intensifying strategic competition.
BlackRock notes that &#8220;growing geopolitical fragmentation and strategic competition in AI are reinforcing the global focus on national security and resilience – creating opportunities in defense.&#8221; This underscores a selective approach to defense investments, where technological superiority and robust national security infrastructure are becoming paramount.
Here&#8217;s a list of some defense and defense tech stocks and global exchange-traded funds that investors could consider.
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table class="has-fixed-layout">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>U.S. Defense Stocks</td>
<td>YTD Performance</td>
<td>One Year Performance</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Palantir Technologies Inc.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>)</td>
<td>86.09%</td>
<td>479.14%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>General Dynamics Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GD#NYSE">GD</a>)</td>
<td>8.16%</td>
<td>-5.43%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Northrop Grumman Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOC#NYSE">NOC</a>)</td>
<td>6.76%</td>
<td>16.02%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lockheed Martin Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LMT#NYSE">LMT</a>)</td>
<td>-2.03%</td>
<td>0.20%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Boeing Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BA#NYSE">BA</a>)</td>
<td>17.13%</td>
<td>12.40%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RTX Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RTX#NYSE">RTX</a>)</td>
<td>25.69%</td>
<td>43.01%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>General Electric Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GE#NYSE">GE</a>)</td>
<td>46.99%</td>
<td>54.36%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TransDigm Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TDG#NYSE">TDG</a>)</td>
<td>17.27%</td>
<td>10.74%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HWM#NYSE">HWM</a>)</td>
<td>58.53%</td>
<td>123.36%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Axon Enterprise Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AXON#NASDAQ">AXON</a>)</td>
<td>31.31%</td>
<td>167.59%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>L3Harris Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LHX#NYSE">LHX</a>)</td>
<td>21.10%</td>
<td>11.36%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table class="has-fixed-layout">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Global Defense ETFs</td>
<td>YTD Performance</td>
<td>One Year Performance</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>iShares US Aerospace &amp; Defense ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ITA#BATS">ITA</a>)</td>
<td>26.34%</td>
<td>37.32%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Invesco Aerospace &amp; Defense ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PPA#NYSE">PPA</a>)</td>
<td>19.61%</td>
<td>32.01%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SPDR S&amp;P Aerospace &amp; Defense ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XAR#NYSE">XAR</a>)</td>
<td>21.61%</td>
<td>41.72%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Global X Defense Tech ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHLD#NYSE">SHLD</a>)</td>
<td>56.94%</td>
<td>74.59%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ARK Space Exploration &amp; Innovation ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKX#BATS">ARKX</a>)</td>
<td>15.13%</td>
<td>50.24%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Direxion Daily Aerospace &amp; Defense Bull 3X Shares (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DFEN#NYSE">DFEN</a>)</td>
<td>75.10%</td>
<td>78.38%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SPDR S&amp;P Kensho Future Security ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FITE#NYSE">FITE</a>)</td>
<td>8.48%</td>
<td>30.78%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/06/46042382/mark-cuban-corrects-elizabeth-warren-as-she-slams-jnj-pfe-for-higher-prices-and-zero-taxes-on-big-ph" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mark Cuban Corrects Elizabeth Warren As She Slams JNJ, PFE For Higher Prices And Zero Taxes On Big Pharma: ‘PBMs Corrupt Healthcare'</a>
Why It Matters: The futures of the S&amp;P 500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq 100 indices rose on Tuesday as the investors overlooked a significant surge in Middle East tensions, triggered by Iran's missile attacks on U.S. military bases in Qatar and Iraq, which occurred just 48 hours following U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
Donald Trump shared a post on Truth Social on Monday, announcing a "<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/06/46066239/dow-futures-jump-over-200-points-as-trump-announces-ceasefire-but-iran-says-no-agreement-crude-plunges">Complete and Total CEASEFIRE</a>," at which point, he says, "THE 12 DAY WAR" will be considered "ended." 
However, the Foreign Minister of Iran, Syed Abbas Araghchi, refuted claims of a ceasefire, saying that there was "no agreement" for cessation of military operations, in a post on X.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">As Iran has repeatedly made clear: Israel launched war on Iran, not the other way around. As of now, there is NO &quot;agreement&quot; on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations. However, provided that the Israeli regime stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people no…
&mdash; Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) <a href="https://twitter.com/araghchi/status/1937311435882922420?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Price Action: The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which track the S&amp;P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, respectively, rose on Monday. The SPY was up 0.99% to $600.15, while the QQQ rose 1.03% to $531.65, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/46067629/hims-ceo-slams-novo-nordisk-for-anticompetitive-demands-after-ozempic-maker-abruptly-ends-partne?utm_campaign=Watchlist&amp;utm_source=Benzinga&amp;utm_medium=Email">Hims CEO Slams Novo Nordisk For &#8216;Anticompetitive Demands&#8217; After Ozempic Maker Abruptly Ends Partnership: &#8216;We Refuse To Be Strong-Armed&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Mike Mareen / Shutterstock.com

ARKX

DFEN

BlackRock Bets Big On Defense Companies Amid Escalating Geopolitical Tensions: Palantir, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman Among Stocks In Focus

The Strait of Hormuz, accounting for nearly a third of the world&#8217;s oil supply, is once again under geopolitical pressure, and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs">ETF investors</a> are rushing to reposition.
Over the past month, the United States Oil Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/USO#NYSE">USO</a>) and the United States Brent Oil Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BNO#NYSE">BNO</a>) have spiked 22.25% and 20.26%, respectively. On Saturday, the U.S. conducted airstrikes on three major Iranian nuclear facilities—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—and oil prices jumped in response.
Now, energy experts are signaling a possible $100-per-barrel oil situation, particularly if Iran decides to respond by attacking U.S. interests in the Gulf or interfering with global trade through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Bloomberg.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46045542/tesla-launches-robotaxi-in-austin-elon-musk-calls-it-a-culmination-of-a-decade-of-hard-work">Tesla Launches Robotaxi In Austin: Elon Musk Calls It A &#8216;Culmination Of A Decade Of Hard Work&#8217;</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ETFs Riding The Risk Wave</h2>
If tensions further intensify, energy-oriented ETFs may keep rising. Preeminent tickers in consideration are:
USO and BNO – Already surging, they are bellwethers for sentiment on crude.
USO tracks front-month WTI crude oil futures. It is usually the first choice for traders seeking direct exposure to oil price changes. Because of its exposure to front-month futures, USO will be very volatile but also rapidly sensitive to geopolitical shocks such as airstrikes or naval interferences.
BNO reflects Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, and is most applicable when Middle East supply lines are in jeopardy. Brent will spike quicker than WTI in times of global crises, and BNO provides the retail investor with an accessible vehicle to access that.
Invesco DB Oil Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DBO#NYSE">DBO</a>) offers futures-based exposure with strong war-time tailwinds. It provides exposure to a longer curve of oil futures, making it less whiplash-prone than USO or BNO. DBO can be a more measured bet for investors who believe the conflict will lead to sustained price appreciation in oil.
SPDR S&amp;P Oil &amp; Gas Exploration &amp; Production ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XOP#NYSE">XOP</a>) plays off the supply disruption theme using upstream producers. Instead of following oil itself, XOP puts capital in upstream energy producers, those that drill and explore for oil. As crude moves higher, the margins for these companies widen, making XOP a high-beta bet on the general energy uptrend. It is essentially a leveraged oil play, but without the leverage.
First Trust Natural Gas ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FCG#NYSE">FCG</a>) and United States Natural Gas Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNG#NYSE">UNG</a>)—These ETFs may move if LNG through Hormuz is at risk. If LNG cargo through the Strait of Hormuz becomes disturbed, gas prices, particularly in Europe, may surge. Although these ETFs have not shown a positive reaction yet, they are under watch. FCG also provides equity exposure to U.S.-based natural gas producers, which would profit from Europe panicking for alternative suppliers.
But black gold isn&#8217;t the only one rallying.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Defense ETFs On Radar</h2>
As President Donald Trump warned Iran of further strikes unless it abandons its nuclear ambitions, some investors are rotating into defense ETFs amid escalating geopolitical risks.
iShares U.S. Aerospace &amp; Defense ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ITA#BATS">ITA</a>) invests in big-cap defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LMT#NYSE">LMT</a>), Northrop Grumman (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOC#NYSE">NOC</a>), and Raytheon (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RTX#NYSE">RTX</a>). These companies are at the forefront of any U.S. military buildup, either through the sales of hardware, missile defense systems, or support. As tensions rise, ITA is a favorite among investors who take an educated guess at sustained geopolitical uncertainty.
SPDR S&amp;P Aerospace &amp; Defense ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XAR#NYSE">XAR</a>) is more diversified than ITA. If defense spending increases and new contracts are awarded under wartime terms, XAR might see wider upside potential. It also performs better during times of high volatility because of its equal-weight approach.
Both these ETFs stand to gain as defense budgets swell and military contractors set up for more long-term involvement.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Geopolitical Wildcards</h2>
Although markets have factored in the initial attacks, doubt over Iran&#8217;s retaliation plan and Trump&#8217;s extended geopolitical strategy are making traders nervous. One wrong shipping lane missile could send oil above $110, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46051051/oil-prices-iran-strait-of-hormuz-risk-us-attack">according to Goldman Sachs</a>, and ignite wider risk-off sentiment across equities.
For ETF traders, the secret is to position, not panic. This could be a good opportunity for tactical maneuvers in energy and defense funds. But in the era of tweet-induced volatility, one thing&#8217;s certain: ETFs are where the battle lines, and profits, are being drawn.
Read Next: 
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/sector-etfs/25/06/46017496/israel-iran-conflict-lifts-crude-above-77-what-it-means-for-oil-etfs">Israel-Iran Conflict Lifts Crude Above $77: What It Means For Oil ETFs</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: somkanae sawatdinak/Shutterstock

First Trust ISE-Revere Natural Gas Index Fund

How A Strait Of Hormuz Shock Could Ignite A Surge In Energy And Defense ETFs

Israel Defense Forces conducted a significant overnight military operation against Iran, deploying 40 fighter jets that struck dozens of military targets using over 100 munitions, according to official IDF statements. 
What Happened: The strikes targeted critical infrastructure in Tehran and other Iranian regions, marking a major escalation in regional tensions.
The operation specifically targeted an inactive nuclear reactor in Iran&#8217;s Arak region, including its reactor shielding structure essential for plutonium production. The facility, under construction since 1997 but never completed due to international intervention, was originally designed to produce weapons-grade plutonium. 
Iran had deliberately halted conversion efforts that would have prevented weaponization capabilities, using the reactor as leverage against Western powers.
Israeli forces also struck the Natanz nuclear weapons development site, which houses specialized equipment and components that accelerate Iran&#8217;s nuclear weapons program. The IDF stated the strikes were designed to undermine Iran&#8217;s nuclear weapons capabilities permanently.
Additional targets included Iranian military production facilities manufacturing ballistic missile components, air-defense systems, and missile assembly materials. Air defense batteries, missile storage sites, radars, and related military infrastructure were destroyed during the operation.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">תקיפות חיל האוויר הלילה באיראן: 40 מטוסי קרב תקפו עשרות מטרות צבאיות עם יותר מ-100 חימושים צה״ל תקף כור גרעיני שאינו פעיל במרחב אראכ שבאיראן 40 מטוסי קרב של חיל האוויר תקפו במהלך הלילה, בהכוונה מודיעינית מדויקת של אגף המודיעין, עם יותר מ-100 חימושים, עשרות מטרות צבאיות בטהראן… <a href="https://t.co/llhYbkFXIF">pic.twitter.com/llhYbkFXIF</a>
&mdash; צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1935574764862492767?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/events/25/06/46011237/trump-was-confronted-at-g7-by-canadas-indigenous-honor-guard-who-said-he-was-filled-with-rage-but-delivered-a-message-of-peace">Trump Was Confronted At G7 By Canada&#8217;s Indigenous Honor Guard Who Said He Was &#8216;Filled With Rage,&#8217; But Delivered A Message Of &#8216;Peace&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: U.S. markets responded with cautious trading as investors weighed geopolitical implications. S&amp;P 500 futures declined 0.32% to 6,014.75, while Nasdaq futures dropped 0.48% to 21,840.50. 
President Donald Trump remained noncommittal about <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/market-summary/25/06/46010350/as-trump-weighs-options-on-iran-dow-futures-slip-defense-stocks-tick-up-in-after-hours-session">potential U.S. military support for Israel</a>, telling reporters &#8220;I may do it, I may not do it&#8221; when asked about striking Iran. A White House Situation Room meeting addressed the conflict, though details remain classified.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei characterized the strikes as evidence of Israeli weakness, stating that American involvement demonstrates &#8220;that regime&#8217;s weakness and inability.&#8221;
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The very fact that the Zionist regime's American friends have entered the scene and are saying such things is a sign of that regime's weakness and inability.
&mdash; Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) <a href="https://twitter.com/khamenei_ir/status/1935367026479960399?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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Read Next: 
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46011509/bill-ackman-calls-for-northrops-b-2-bombers-boeings-gbu-57s-to-help-israel-finish-the-job-in-gaza-pave-way-for-trumps-nobel-peace-prize">Bill Ackman Calls For Northrop&#8217;s B-2 Bombers, Boeing&#8217;s GBU-57s To Help Israel &#8216;Finish The Job&#8217; In Gaza, Pave Way For Trump&#8217;s &#8216;Nobel Peace Prize&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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Israel Launches Overnight Strikes On Iran, Targeting Nuclear Site, Military Infrastructure With 40 Fighter Jets

As tensions continue to flare in the Middle East, U.S. Stock futures inch lower on Wednesday evening, compounded by the Fed&#8217;s decision to hold rates steady, while warning of lower economic growth and persistent inflation.
The&nbsp;S&amp;P 500 Futures are down 0.32%, trading at 6,014.75, followed by Nasdaq Futures at 21,840.50, down 0.48%, and finally Dow Futures, trading at 42,398.00, down 0.27%, at the time of writing this.
This comes amid a Situation Room meeting held in the White House on Wednesday to discuss the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel. It is still unclear what was discussed during the meeting or who was in attendance, according <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/world/middle-east/live-blog/israel-iran-live-updates-trump-weighs-us-strike-khamenei-rcna213665">to</a> a report by NBC News. 
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/06/46009971/trump-cheers-incredible-stablecoin-bill-passed-by-senate-get-it-to-my-desk-asap-no-delays">Trump Cheers &#8216;Incredible&#8217; Stablecoin Bill Passed By Senate: &#8216;Get It To My Desk, ASAP — No Delays&#8217;</a>
Earlier in the day, when asked if the U.S. would strike Iran in support of Israel&#8217;s ongoing campaign, President Donald Trump remained undecided, telling reporters, &#8220;I may do it, I may not do it.&#8221;
Meanwhile, defense stocks and ETFs continue their volatile streak with no clarity just yet on American involvement in this new geopolitical conflict.
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table class="has-fixed-layout">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Stocks</td>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">After Hours</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ESLT#NASDAQ">ESLT</a>)</td>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">+0.39%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Kratos Defense &amp; Security Solutions Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KTOS#NASDAQ">KTOS</a>)</td>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">+0.45%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOC#NYSE">NOC</a>)</td>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">+0.88%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">RTX Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RTX#NYSE">RTX</a>)</td>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">+0.60%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LMT#NYSE">LMT</a>)</td>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">+0.30%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table class="has-fixed-layout">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">ETFs</td>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Month-To-Date</td>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Year-To-Date</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Global X Defense Tech ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHLD#NYSE">SHLD</a>)</td>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">+2.34%</td>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">+56.51%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">iShares U.S. Aerospace &amp; Defense ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ITA#BATS">ITA</a>)&nbsp;</td>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">+0.86%</td>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">+23.42%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
Asian markets opened lower on Thursday, with Japan&#8217;s benchmark Nikkei 225 down 0.74%, trading at 38,598, led by shipping, exports, and electronics companies.
The U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) is up 0.14%, trading at 98.046 against a basket of global currencies, following the Fed&#8217;s decision to keep rates steady in the short term.
Thursday is a market holiday due to Juneteenth. So, no economic events or major corporate earnings calls are scheduled for the day.
Photo Courtesy: Zakharchuk on Shutterstock.com
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ESLT

As Trump Weighs Options On Iran — Dow Futures Slip, Defense Stocks Tick Up In After-Hours Session

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu in Pyongyang on Tuesday, marking the first anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership treaty between the Democratic People&#8217;s Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation.
What Happened: Shoigu delivered a verbal message from Russian President Vladimir Putin during the meeting, which focused on immediate cooperation plans and long-term strategic initiatives between the two nations, <a href="http://rodong.rep.kp/en/index.php?MTJAMjAyNS0wNi0xOC0wMDlAMTVAMUBAMEAxQA==">according</a> to state media KCNA. 
The discussions included operational support for Russian forces in Ukraine&#8217;s Kursk region, where North Korean troops have been deployed.
The meeting comes as North Korea has emerged as Russia&#8217;s primary military ally in the Ukraine conflict, surpassing China in strategic importance <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40894933/kim-jong-uns-north-korea-outranks-china-as-russias-top-ally-in-ukraine-conflict-says-military-intell">according to Ukrainian military intelligence</a>. North Korean forces have provided millions of artillery shells and ballistic missiles to Russian operations.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/topics/25/06/45988985/israel-says-it-struck-iranian-centrifuge-site-missile-factories-near-tehran-with-over-50-jets-to-disrupt-weapons-program">Israel Says It Struck Iranian Centrifuge Site, Missile Factories Near Tehran With Over 50 Jets To Disrupt Weapons Program</a>
Why It Matters: Kim Jong Un confirmed North Korea&#8217;s continued cooperation within the treaty framework and accepted relevant operational plans discussed during the talks. 
President Donald Trump recently criticized Putin&#8217;s actions in Ukraine, calling the Russian leader &#8220;absolutely crazy&#8221; and signaling potential sanctions escalation. Trump&#8217;s shift toward tougher penalties on Moscow contrasts with his previous diplomatic approach, reflecting growing pressure as <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45604616/trump-blasts-putin-as-absolutely-crazy-after-deadly-russian-airstrikes-on-ukraine-signals-possible-shift-toward-tougher-sanctions">ceasefire talks remain stalled</a>.
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image via Shutterstock

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