The Government Shutdown Could Be an Opportunity to Buy Defense Stocks

Core Insights - Defense stocks may present a buying opportunity as the government shutdown continues, with analysts suggesting potential upward revisions in outlooks once funding clarity is restored [1][3][4] Market Performance - Defense stocks have underperformed during the government shutdown, with the iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA) and Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF (PPA) remaining flat while the S&P 500 rose nearly 2% [2] - Northrop Grumman (NOC) shares have decreased about 1% since the shutdown began but have increased approximately 28% in 2025, outperforming the S&P 500's nearly 15% rise [5][9] Analyst Recommendations - Analysts from Morgan Stanley recommend buying defense stocks with muted outlooks, anticipating upward revisions as government funding issues are resolved [3][7] - Companies such as Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin (LMT), and RTX Corp. (RTX) are expected to report earnings soon, with analysts predicting conservative outlooks due to the ongoing shutdown [7][8] Future Expectations - The White House Economic Advisor indicated that the government shutdown is likely to end soon, which could positively impact defense stocks [9]