Small-cap stocks are surging this month on strong momentum in the space. The Russell 2000 Index has jumped nearly 9% in July 2025 alone, outpacing the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite Indexes. While several ETFs are riding high on this momentum, we have highlighted five of those that are leading the space over the past month and offer diversified exposure across various sectors. These are Avantis U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF (AVSC) , Invesco S&P SmallCap Value with Momentum ETF (XSVM) , JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. ...

Core Viewpoint - Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) has shown strong stock market performance in 2025, delivering a 21% return to shareholders year to date [1] Group 1: Company Overview - Huntington Ingalls Industries is the largest military shipbuilder in the United States, poised to benefit from increased funding for domestic shipbuilding programs proposed by the new Trump administration [2] - The company has a significant order backlog of $48 billion and anticipates over $50 billion in additional awards in the next 20 months, enhancing its earnings potential [9] Group 2: National Security Role - The company plays a critical role in national security by constructing advanced naval vessels, including the only U.S. facility capable of building Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers [4] - Huntington Ingalls also produces Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and develops uncrewed undersea vehicles, showcasing its diverse defense capabilities [5][6] Group 3: Impact of Trump's Defense Agenda - The Trump administration's focus on revitalizing U.S. military strength and enhancing domestic shipbuilding capabilities is expected to benefit Huntington Ingalls [7][8] Group 4: Financial Performance and Growth Outlook - In Q1, Huntington Ingalls reported revenue of $2.7 billion, a 2.5% decline year over year, but earnings per share (EPS) of $3.97 exceeded expectations [10] - The company projects full-year shipbuilding revenue between $8.9 billion and $9.1 billion, indicating a 3% increase from 2024 [10] - A new production site near Charleston, South Carolina, is expected to increase capacity by 20%, supporting future growth [11] Group 5: Dividend and Valuation - Huntington Ingalls has a quarterly dividend of $1.35 per share, yielding 2.31%, and has increased its annual dividend for the past 13 years, indicating potential for future growth [11] - The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 16, which is lower than the average of 19 for its defense sector peers, suggesting it may be undervalued [13][14] Group 6: Investment Perspective - The overall outlook for Huntington Ingalls is positive, with strong fundamentals and strategic positioning in the defense sector making it an attractive option for investors [16]