Defense stocks outperform broader market amid Iran/Israel fighting

HUNTINGTON INGALLS INDUSTRIES

17/06/2025 20:36

** Shares in defense companies outperforming broader market on Tuesday and were biggest gainers in the S&P 500 industrials index .SPLRCI as conflict between Israel and Iran reached fifth day and the U.S. considered whether to deepen involvement

** Trading in defense stocks has been choppy since Israel attacked Iran last Friday. S&P 500 aerospace and defense index .SPLRCAERO on Tuesday up 0.6%

** On Tuesday, Lockheed Martin LMT.N up about 3%, Huntington Ingalls Industries HII.N rising 1.9%, and RTX Corp RTX.N  up 1.8%. Northrop Grumman Corp NOC.N gaining 1.5% and L3Harris LHX.N adding 1.3%

** President Donald Trump called on Tuesday for Iran's "unconditional surrender" and warned that U.S. patience was wearing thin, suggesting a more aggressive stance toward Iran as he weighs whether to deepen U.S. involvement

** Trump was meeting with his National Security Council on Monday afternoon to discuss the conflict, according to a White House official

** In the broader market, all three of Wall Street's major indexes were in the red with the S&P 500 .SPX and Nasdaq .IXIC down about 0.8% and the Dow down 0.8%