Middle East conflict is pushing the stocks of defense contractors like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman higher. Investors have to think quickly about potential winners and losers—if the Israel-Hamas war escalates.
Shares of defense contractors are surging. Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman shares are up 4.9% and 4.3%, respectively, premarket trading Monday. General Dynamics , L3Harris Technologies , and Huntington Ingalls Industries shares are up 3.2%, 3.2%, and 1.6%, respectively. RTX shares are up 4%. Boeing shares , however, are flat.
Investors are looking for some guidance, but few on Wall Street have weighed in on the conflict. How long it will last, and if it will expand are key questions. A shorter, contained conflict will likely see defense shares give back gains.