The best valuation-adjusted European and Asian defense names are probably not the obvious winners such as Saab and Rheinmetall, where much of the easy multiple expansion already happened. In Europe, Leonardo ranks first, then BAE Systems. In Asia, Korea Aerospace Industries and Hanwha Aerospace lead, followed by LIG Nex1 and Hyundai Rotem. Per @eliant_capital, this year's geopolitical developments mean European and Asian defense companies are still likely headed a lot higher. x.com  x.com 

Non-ITAR defense suppliers such as Electro Optic Systems, BAE Systems, Theon and Rheinmetall are an overlooked source of alpha as Europe, Asia and the Middle East shift defense spending away from US ITAR-controlled equipment. That shift comes with huge spending, yet US-based investors misunderstand it and wrongly call defense tech dead. Eurosatory confirmed the view, and the big alpha is not in drone builders. x.com  x.com  x.com 

BAE Systems' financial health could hardly be stronger, backing the long case. It is the sole source of the THAAD infrared seeker, the highest-margin content in the missile, housed in Electronic Systems, its richest segment at about 15% EBIT versus 11% for the group. As Lockheed Martin quadruples THAAD production, BAE has signed a matched framework to quadruple seekers, sending more volume through its best-margin line. x.com 

Electro Optic Systems is accumulating meaningful defense and space opportunities. It has MoUs for Czech vehicle systems and Indian high-energy lasers, was selected for the US Space Force's satellite-tracking reserve, and has an A$700m Kuwait counter-drone contract that could drive over 80% of revenue in 12–24 months. x.com 

Lockheed Martin is a defensive core holding with near-monopoly defense franchises and steady cash flow. The F-35, over 25% of revenue, is the only fifth-generation fighter deployed at scale in the West, and FY2026-27 budgets raise F-35 funding 62% and more than double PAC-3 and THAAD procurement. Backlog is $186.4B, 2.4x annual revenue, new Army and Navy contracts landed May 28, and over 60% of free cash flow goes to dividends and buybacks. x.com 

Defense money is rotating into next-generation drone makers such as AeroVironment and Red Cat, not just legacy plays like Lockheed's F-35, after NATO members pledged 5% of GDP to defense, roughly a second U.S. military budget. x.com 

Electro Optic Systems, nLIGHT and LightPath are defense stocks to own as forward multiples may compress with no high-profile conflicts in sight. US and European rearmament is unchanged and earnings should grow solidly for two to three years, but upside may take patience. Well-managed, profitable firms with backlog growth in the fastest-growing niches should hold up better than cash-burning drone makers. EOS's UAE joint venture, laser contract and $124 million RWS contract add optionality. x.com 

Lockheed Martin is a strong geopolitical diversifier alongside the energy complex for investors heavily long semiconductors. It landed a Pentagon deal for 850 F-35 jets and raised its annual forecast; the multi-model signal has been long since October 16. x.com 

Public defense stocks look mispriced because demand and private valuations are rising while their shares fall 20%. Anduril raised $5 billion at $61 billion, about 28x sales, while Ondas trades near 5x with a comparable counter-drone stack. The five primes' backlog rose 23.7% to $1.36 trillion, and the Pentagon's FY2027 request has $75 billion for drones and counter-drone tech. Peace rotates spending rather than ending it, and as in the 1990s, a bear market should spur small-cap consolidation. … Show more

Lockheed Martin's strong earnings, raised guidance and a potential historic F-35 deal support its stock as the price presses toward a wedge breakout. Q3 EPS and sales exceeded estimates; the F-35 deal remains potential. x.com