In times of rising geopolitical tension or outright conflict, defense stocks often outperform the broader market as governments ramp up military spending. Here are the top five defense stocks to consider if a global war scenario emerges, along with key fundamentals and recent performance data.

1. Lockheed Martin (LMT)


Lockheed Martin is the world’s largest defense contractor, renowned for the F-35 fighter jet, missile systems, and advanced hypersonic weapons. Its massive $173 billion backlog ensures revenue visibility for years.

Key Fundamentals:

2024 Defense Revenue: $64.7 billion

Q1 2025 Sales Growth: 4% year-over-year

Backlog: $173 billion (over two years of sales)

P/E Ratio: ~21x trailing, ~17x forward (below sector average)

Dividend Yield: Consistent, with $1.5 billion returned to shareholders in Q1 20253

Stock Price (June 2025): $473.35

12-Month Analyst Target: $541.80 (14% upside)

2. Raytheon Technologies (RTX)


Raytheon is a global leader in missile systems (Patriot, Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile), air defense, and radar. Its products are critical to NATO and U.S. defense strategies, and it’s rapidly expanding internationally.

Key Fundamentals:

2024 Defense Revenue: $40.6 billion

2024 Revenue Growth: 17.15%

Market Cap: $164.86 billion

P/E Ratio: 34.86

Stock Price (June 2025): $142.70

YTD Stock Gain (2024): +29.64%

12-Month Analyst Target: $541.80

3. Northrop Grumman (NOC)


Northrop Grumman is at the forefront of stealth bombers (B-21 Raider), space systems, and autonomous weapons. Despite recent profit headwinds from the B-21 program, its $92.8 billion backlog and international expansion provide strong growth visibility89105.

Key Fundamentals:

2024 Defense Revenue: $35.2 billion

Backlog: $92.8 billion

Stock Price (June 2025): $507.15

Q1 2025 Sales: Stable, with international business expected to outpace U.S. sales

P/E Ratio: Attractively valued compared to sector

12-Month Analyst Target: $541.80

4. Rheinmetall (RHM.DE)


Germany’s Rheinmetall is Europe’s top ammunition and armored vehicle supplier, benefiting from surging European defense budgets and a record €63 billion order backlog. The company expects 25–30% sales growth in 2025 amid Europe’s rearmament push111.

Key Fundamentals:

2024 Order Backlog: €63 billion (up 57% YoY)

2025 Sales Growth Forecast: 25–30%

Operating Margin (2025E): 15.5%

Dividend (2024): €8.50/share (up from €5.70)

YTD Stock Gain (2024): +28%

5. AeroVironment (AVAV)


AeroVironment specializes in tactical drones and loitering munitions (Switchblade), which are in high demand for modern warfare. The company’s revenue surged 32.6% in 2024, and it is expanding manufacturing to meet global demand.

Key Fundamentals:

2024 Revenue Growth: 32.6%

Return on Equity (ROE): 3.8% (below industry average, but compensated by high demand)

Stock Performance (recent): +18% in one month

Industry Position: Leading U.S. drone supplier

Summary Table
Company	2024 Defense Revenue	Backlog/Order Book	2024 Revenue Growth	Dividend Yield/Policy	Stock Price (June 2025)	Analyst Target/Notes
Lockheed Martin	$64.7B	$173B	4% (Q1 2025)	Consistent	$473.35	$541.80 (14% upside)
Raytheon (RTX)	$40.6B	N/A	17.15%	Strong	$142.70	$541.80 (consensus)
Northrop Grumman	$35.2B	$92.8B	Stable	Consistent	$507.15	$541.80 (consensus)
Rheinmetall (RHM.DE)	N/A	€63B	25–30% (2025E)	€8.50/share	N/A	+28% YTD, strong EU demand
AeroVironment (AVAV)	N/A	N/A	32.6%	N/A	N/A	+18% recent, drone demand


Conclusion

These five defense stocks—Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, Rheinmetall, and AeroVironment—are best positioned to benefit from a surge in global military spending during a potential war. They offer a combination of robust backlogs, strong fundamentals, and exposure to the most in-demand military technologies, making them compelling buys for investors seeking resilience and growth in uncertain times.

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Top 5 Defense Stocks to Buy During a Potential Global War

Top 5 Defense Stocks to Watch during a Geopolitical Tension

As Circle Internet (NYSE:CRCL) gains attention following its recent public listing, investors are increasingly scrutinizing its deep-rooted partnership with Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN)&mdash;a collaboration that has positioned USDC as a cornerstone in the stablecoin ecosystem.
<h3>A Strategic Partnership Powering Stablecoin Growth</h3>
Founded jointly by Circle and Coinbase, USDC has evolved into a key revenue driver for both firms. According to Bernstein, Coinbase&rsquo;s stablecoin revenue surged nearly 51% in Q1, with USDC&rsquo;s market cap reaching record highs.
Under the current revenue-sharing agreement, the structure is as follows:
<ul>
<li>
100% of interest income from USDC held on Coinbase&rsquo;s platform goes to Coinbase.
</li>
<li>
50:50 split of interest income from USDC held off-platform (other exchanges, DeFi platforms, etc.).
</li>
</ul>
This agreement is renewed every three years, with the next review due in 2026. While some speculate about potential renegotiation, Bernstein analysts believe the relationship is foundational rather than transactional:
<blockquote>
&ldquo;Coinbase&rsquo;s distribution and reach were critical in bootstrapping USDC liquidity&mdash;an edge that Circle will continue to leverage.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
<hr />
<h3>Coinbase&rsquo;s Dominance in U.S. Crypto Markets</h3>
Coinbase remains the largest crypto exchange for retail and institutional investors in the U.S., holding a 67% market share. This dominance is crucial for the continued adoption and utility of USDC, particularly as the GENIUS Act and CLARITY Act are expected to drive stablecoin innovation onshore.
The upcoming launch of Coinbase&rsquo;s perpetual futures platform on July 21, which will use USDC as principal collateral, further deepens the stablecoin&rsquo;s role in core trading products.
<hr />
<h3>Stablecoin Metrics and Market Tracking</h3>
To better understand USDC's expanding footprint and investor sentiment around stablecoins, the following API provides comprehensive data:
🔹 <a href="https://site.financialmodelingprep.com/developer/docs/stable/all-cryptocurrency-quotes">Cryptocurrency Daily API</a> Use this to monitor USDC&rsquo;s daily price, market cap, trading volume, and other performance metrics.
For broader insight into how stablecoin-based activity correlates with Coinbase&rsquo;s performance:
🔹 <a href="https://site.financialmodelingprep.com/developer/docs/stable/crypto-news">Crypto News API</a> Stay updated with real-time news, announcements, and institutional commentary on USDC, Circle, and Coinbase.
<hr />
<h3>Outlook: A Mutually Reinforcing Dynamic</h3>
As Circle scales its infrastructure and Coinbase deepens its derivatives offerings, USDC stands at the intersection of regulatory readiness, institutional finance, and decentralized applications.
With policy shifts and regulatory clarity expected soon, the Circle-Coinbase synergy is likely to strengthen&mdash;paving the way for further innovation in the U.S. stablecoin landscape.

As Circle Internet (NYSE:CRCL) gains attention following its recent public listing, investors are increasingly scrutinizing its deep-rooted partnership with Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN)—a collaboration that has positioned USDC as a cornerstone in the stablecoin ecosystem.

A Strategic Partnership Powering Stablecoin Growth

Founded jointly by Circle and Coinbase, USDC has evolved into a key revenue driver for both firms. According to Bernstein, Coinbase’s stablecoin revenue surged nearly 51% in Q1, with USDC’s market cap reaching record highs.

Under the current revenue-sharing agreement, the structure is as follows:

100% of interest income from USDC held on Coinbase’s platform goes to Coinbase.

50:50 split of interest income from USDC held off-platform (other exchanges, DeFi platforms, etc.).

This agreement is renewed every three years, with the next review due in 2026. While some speculate about potential renegotiation, Bernstein analysts believe the relationship is foundational rather than transactional:

“Coinbase’s distribution and reach were critical in bootstrapping USDC liquidity—an edge that Circle will continue to leverage.”

Coinbase’s Dominance in U.S. Crypto Markets

Coinbase remains the largest crypto exchange for retail and institutional investors in the U.S., holding a 67% market share. This dominance is crucial for the continued adoption and utility of USDC, particularly as the GENIUS Act and CLARITY Act are expected to drive stablecoin innovation onshore.

The upcoming launch of Coinbase’s perpetual futures platform on July 21, which will use USDC as principal collateral, further deepens the stablecoin’s role in core trading products.

Stablecoin Metrics and Market Tracking

To better understand USDC's expanding footprint and investor sentiment around stablecoins, the following API provides comprehensive data:

🔹 Cryptocurrency Daily API
Use this to monitor USDC’s daily price, market cap, trading volume, and other performance metrics.

For broader insight into how stablecoin-based activity correlates with Coinbase’s performance:

🔹 Crypto News API
Stay updated with real-time news, announcements, and institutional commentary on USDC, Circle, and Coinbase.

Outlook: A Mutually Reinforcing Dynamic

As Circle scales its infrastructure and Coinbase deepens its derivatives offerings, USDC stands at the intersection of regulatory readiness, institutional finance, and decentralized applications.

With policy shifts and regulatory clarity expected soon, the Circle-Coinbase synergy is likely to strengthen—paving the way for further innovation in the U.S. stablecoin landscape.

Circle-Coinbase Partnership in Focus as USDC Drives Revenue Surge

Key Financial Highlights:
<div>
<ul dir="ltr">
<li>Earnings per Share (EPS): $1.62 for the first half of 2025, slightly below the estimated $1.68, reflecting resilience amid global economic challenges.</li>
<li>Revenue: &euro;41.1 billion ($44.8 billion, based on approximate USD conversion), surpassing expectations of &euro;40.2 billion, underscoring LVMH&rsquo;s robust market leadership.</li>
<li>Financial Ratios: A price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 19.5 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58 highlight a balanced valuation and financial structure.</li>
</ul>
Overview: LVMH Mo&euml;t Hennessy Louis Vuitton (OTC:LVMUY), a global leader in luxury goods, offers an extensive portfolio spanning fashion, leather goods, perfumes, cosmetics, watches, jewelry, and wines and spirits. </div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>On July 24, 2025, LVMH reported its financial results for the first half of 2025, achieving an EPS of $1.62, slightly below the consensus estimate of $1.68. However, the company&rsquo;s revenue of &euro;41.1 billion ($44.8 billion) exceeded analyst expectations of &euro;40.2 billion, driven by strong demand across its key brands, including Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Mo&euml;t &amp; Chandon.Financial Performance: For the first half of 2025, LVMH reported revenue of &euro;41.1 billion, a modest increase compared to &euro;40.5 billion in the same period of 2024, despite headwinds in key markets like Asia (excluding Japan), where demand softened due to economic uncertainties. </div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>The company&rsquo;s net profit declined by approximately 14% year-over-year, reflecting higher operational costs and currency fluctuations, yet its ability to outperform revenue expectations highlights its operational strength and brand resilience in the luxury retail sector.</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>Key Financial Metrics: LVMH&rsquo;s financial ratios provide insight into its market position and stability:
<ul dir="ltr">
<li>Price-to-Earnings (P/E) Ratio: At 19.5, the P/E ratio reflects investor confidence in LVMH&rsquo;s earnings potential relative to its share price.</li>
<li>Price-to-Sales (P/S) Ratio: A P/S ratio of 2.8 indicates the market&rsquo;s valuation of LVMH&rsquo;s revenue generation.</li>
<li>Enterprise Value to Sales (EV/Sales): At 3.2, this metric reflects the company&rsquo;s total valuation relative to its sales.</li>
<li>Enterprise Value to Operating Cash Flow: Approximately 14.5, showing a balanced valuation relative to cash flow from operations.</li>
<li>Earnings Yield: 5.1%, representing the portion of earnings generated per dollar invested.</li>
<li>Debt-to-Equity Ratio: At 0.58, LVMH maintains a moderate debt level, supporting a stable financial structure.</li>
<li>Current Ratio: A current ratio of 1.38 demonstrates LVMH&rsquo;s ability to meet short-term liabilities with its liquid assets.</li>
</ul>
Despite challenges in the Asian market, particularly in China, LVMH&rsquo;s diversified portfolio and strong brand equity continue to drive growth. The company&rsquo;s focus on innovation, sustainability, and premium craftsmanship has sustained its leadership in the luxury goods sector. With a solid balance sheet and strong cash flow, LVMH is well-positioned to navigate economic uncertainties while capitalizing on growth opportunities in regions like Japan and the Americas, where demand for luxury goods remains robust.</div>

LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (OTC:LVMUY) is a global leader in luxury goods, offering high-quality products across fashion, cosmetics, and wines. Despite a challenging economic environment, LVMUY reported its earnings on July 24, 2025, with an earnings per share (EPS) of $2.69, slightly below the estimated $2.78. However, the company's revenue of approximately $46.84 billion far exceeded expectations of $18.89 billion.

The company's financial performance for the first half of 2025 shows resilience, with revenue reaching €39.8 billion. This is impressive given the 22% drop in earnings compared to the previous year, largely due to weakness in the Asian market. The luxury retail sector has been significantly impacted, yet LVMUY maintains its innovative momentum, as highlighted by its strong revenue figures.

LVMUY's financial metrics provide insight into its market position. The price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 18.62 indicates the price investors are willing to pay for each dollar of earnings. The price-to-sales ratio of 2.76 and enterprise value to sales ratio of 3.13 reflect the company's market value and total valuation relative to its sales, respectively.

The company's enterprise value to operating cash flow ratio is approximately 14.00, showing its valuation in relation to cash flow from operations. An earnings yield of 5.37% represents the percentage of each dollar invested that was earned by the company. The debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61 suggests a moderate level of debt relative to equity, indicating a balanced financial structure.

LVMUY's current ratio of 1.41 demonstrates its ability to cover short-term liabilities with short-term assets. This financial stability, combined with its strong revenue performance, positions LVMUY well in the luxury retail market despite the challenges faced in the Asian market.

LVMH Mo&euml;t Hennessy Louis Vuitton (OTC:LVMUY) Financial Performance Analysis

<a href='https://financialmodelingprep.com/financial-summary/MS'>Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS)</a> shares rose more than 2% intra-day today after the company reported strong second-quarter results, surpassing analyst expectations with an EPS of $1.82, beating the estimated $1.65.
The company also saw a significant revenue increase, reporting $15 billion compared to the consensus estimate of $14.32 billion. This is a notable improvement from the $13.5 billion reported in the same quarter last year.
CEO Ted Pick attributed the strong performance to an improving capital markets environment, leading to a first-half 2024 revenue of $30.2 billion and an EPS of $3.85.
Morgan Stanley's strategy has shown success, with total client assets rising to $7.2 trillion. Pick also announced a quarterly common stock dividend increase to $0.925 per share, highlighting the company's financial health and commitment to shareholders.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) shares rose more than 2% intra-day today after the company reported strong second-quarter results, surpassing analyst expectations with an EPS of $1.82, beating the estimated $1.65.
The company also saw a significant revenue increase, reporting $15 billion compared to the consensus estimate of $14.32 billion. This is a notable improvement from the $13.5 billion reported in the same quarter last year.
CEO Ted Pick attributed the strong performance to an improving capital markets environment, leading to a first-half 2024 revenue of $30.2 billion and an EPS of $3.85.
Morgan Stanley's strategy has shown success, with total client assets rising to $7.2 trillion. Pick also announced a quarterly common stock dividend increase to $0.925 per share, highlighting the company's financial health and commitment to shareholders.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) shares rose more than 2% intra-day today after the company reported strong second-quarter results, surpassing analyst expectations w...

Morgan Stanley Beats Q2 Earnings Expectations, Shares Rise 2%

Financial data for every need

Top 5 Defense Stocks to Watch during a Geopolitical Tension

Circle-Coinbase Partnership in Focus as USDC Drives Revenue Surge

LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (OTC:LVMUY) Financial Performance Analysis

Morgan Stanley Beats Q2 Earnings Expectations, Shares Rise 2%

Financial data for every need

Top 5 Defense Stocks to Watch during a Geopolitical Tension

Circle-Coinbase Partnership in Focus as USDC Drives Revenue Surge

LVMH Mo&euml;t Hennessy Louis Vuitton (OTC:LVMUY) Financial Performance Analysis

LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (OTC:LVMUY) Financial Performance Analysis