For investors seeking momentum, Global X Defense Tech ETF (SHLD) is probably on the radar. The fund just hit a 52-week high and is up 105.98% from its 52-week low price of $36.61/share.But are more gains in store for this ETF? Let’s take a quick look at the fund and the near-term outlook on it to get a better idea of where it might be headed:SHLD in FocusThe underlying Global X Defense Tech Index seeks to provide exposure to defense technology companies that are positioned to benefit from technology, servic ...

Core Insights - Investor confidence has been tested over the past year due to policy changes and a government shutdown, but sentiment is shifting positively as of 2026, driven by enthusiasm for artificial intelligence (AI) [1] IPO Predictions - Kraken has an 83% chance of going public before 2027, having already filed confidentially for a U.S. IPO, contributing to a trend among digital asset companies preparing for the U.S. equity markets ahead of the 2026 midterms [3] - Cerebras Systems, an AI chipmaker, has a 77% probability of announcing an IPO before next year, with plans to re-file after previously withdrawing its IPO paperwork [4] - Databricks, an AI software company, has a 70% chance of going public before 2027, having raised over $4 billion at a valuation of $134 billion [5] - Discord also has a 70% probability of announcing an IPO before 2027, with a last valuation around $15 billion [5] - Fintech firm Plaid has a 49% chance of going public, while defense tech company Anduril and apparel brand Skims both have a 46% likelihood [6]

You can catch Warrior Money on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts. Former Marine Colonel Tyler Zagurski joins Warrior Money to break down why veterans are increasingly essential in defense tech—and how AI is reshaping recruiting, logistics, and readiness. Tyler explains R4 Technologies' “Humans at the Helm” approach to decision intelligence, why “ROI in defense is readiness,” and how the military’s recruiting pipeline is shrinking fast. He also shares practical guidance ...

18 December 2025 | 7:15PM EST Equity Research Americas Aerospace & Defense: Defense Tech: Initial thoughts on Executive Order - "Ensuring American Space Superiority" On December 18, 2025 President Trump signed an Executive Order (EO) titled "Ensuring American Space Superiority" (link here). The EO identifies a number of the Trump administration's priorities related to space, such as expanding and defending the American presence in space, growing the commercial space economy, and positioning the U.S. as the ...

Core Insights - MicroVision, Inc. is expanding into the defense technology sector by establishing a new Aerial Systems team and facilities in the greater D.C. area [1] Company Developments - The new Aerial Systems team has set up an office, testing facilities, and an airstrip to support its strategic expansion [1] - This move aims to enhance MicroVision's capabilities in the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) sector [1]

Core Viewpoint - Michael Burry, known for predicting the 2008 housing crisis, is taking a significant bearish position against AI companies Palantir Technologies and NVIDIA, raising concerns in the market [1][5]. Company Summary Palantir Technologies - Palantir's stock has increased by 155% year-to-date, reaching a 52-week high following strong Q3 earnings [2][3]. - Following the news of Burry's put options, Palantir's stock price fell by 8% [3]. - Burry has purchased put options covering approximately 5 million shares of Palantir, valued at around $912 million, which constitutes 66% of his firm's assets under management [5]. - Palantir reported $1.18 billion in revenue for the quarter, reflecting a 63% year-over-year increase, and raised its full-year guidance to $4.4 billion [5]. NVIDIA - Burry also holds put options representing 1 million shares of NVIDIA, valued at about $187 million, marking it as his second-largest position [6]. Industry Commentary - Palantir CEO Alex Karp criticized Burry's short position, suggesting it reflects a misunderstanding of Palantir's business and the AI sector [4][7]. - Karp emphasized that AI is a significant driver of GDP growth and defended the ethical implications of Palantir's work, which he believes supports important societal functions [7].

Core Viewpoint - Palantir is facing scrutiny due to an Army internal memo highlighting significant cybersecurity flaws in a prototype battle communications system, leading to a decline in its stock price by over 6% [1][5]. Summary by Sections Cybersecurity Concerns - The Army's internal memo, written by the chief technology officer, flagged deep weaknesses in the new command and control prototype developed by Palantir and Anderal, categorizing the project as "very high risk" [2]. - Structural flaws include uncontrolled user data access and unassessed third-party code, allowing any authorized user to access all applications and data without proper clearance or auditing [3][4]. Stock Market Reaction - Following the report, Palantir's shares dropped approximately 6.5%, making it the second most trending equity ticker on Stockwits [5][6]. - Despite the negative report, some investors remain optimistic about Palantir's potential, citing its significant year-to-date stock performance increase of 130% and a 345% rise over the past year [7][8]. Future Growth Potential - Palantir is not solely reliant on the Army project, as it has other growth avenues, including the Golden Dome system project, which could be a major growth driver due to government support [9][10]. - The company has diversified its revenue streams, reducing its dependency on government contracts while still benefiting from defense spending [10][11]. Market Sentiment - Despite the negative news, market sentiment remains bullish towards Palantir, with discussions in forums indicating continued confidence in the company's prospects [12].

Investment Focus - Sans Capital invests in innovation across various stages, from early-stage ventures in cyber and AI to later-stage companies in defense and AI [3] - The firm is particularly interested in dual-use technologies and is actively exploring opportunities in the space and defense tech sectors [4][5] - Sans Capital is focusing on infrastructure related to space, including satellites, rockets, and hypersonics [6] Space Industry Analysis - The cost of space launch has decreased by 20 times in the last 15 years, primarily due to SpaceX, which aims to reduce it by another 15 times [5] - The reduced launch costs are enabling more satellites and other objects to enter space, with expectations of significant innovation in the next two decades [5] - Potential growth areas in space include global broadband beyond Starlink, on-orbit manufacturing (fiber optics, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and potentially mining) [6] Defense Tech Transformation - The defense tech sector is shifting from concentrated primes using cost-plus contracts to more entrepreneurial companies innovating with fixed-price, performance-based systems [8] - AI is playing an increasingly important role in defense tech, with companies like Andril using autonomous systems and sensors for event detection and response [8] Artificial Intelligence - AI is becoming ubiquitous and is expected to be integrated into almost every company's operations in the future [7][9] - AI is a significant component of Sans Capital's investment thesis and is being applied across various sectors, including defense tech [7][8]

Core Viewpoint - BigBear.ai's stock appears undervalued compared to its competitor Palantir Technologies, but deeper analysis reveals that its lower valuation may be justified due to operational challenges and a weaker competitive position in the defense tech sector [2][12]. Company Analysis - BigBear.ai trades at $5 per share, significantly lower than Palantir, which has experienced substantial valuation expansion during the AI boom [2][5]. - The price-to-sales (P/S) ratio for BigBear.ai is 10.2, which seems reasonable compared to Palantir and C3.ai, but this metric alone does not capture the full valuation narrative [3][5]. - BigBear.ai's financial trends indicate slowing momentum and declining growth, contrasting sharply with Palantir's accelerating revenue from multiyear, multibillion-dollar contracts [10][11]. Competitive Landscape - Palantir has established itself as a leader in defense technology, securing critical contracts with the U.S. Army and other agencies, which has contributed to its strong revenue growth [9][11]. - BigBear.ai and C3.ai are limited to niche opportunities, which hampers their growth potential and market position compared to Palantir [10][11]. - The narrative of BigBear.ai as the "next Palantir" is weakening as financial performance diverges, suggesting that its discounted valuation reflects competitive disadvantages rather than hidden value [7][11]. Investment Perspective - While BigBear.ai may seem like a bargain in the current AI market, its low valuation is more indicative of ongoing operational challenges rather than a mispriced opportunity [12][13]. - The company is viewed as a speculative trade rather than a solid long-term investment, given the risks associated with its current market position [14].

Company Overview - Strategy Inc. (MSTR), formerly known as MicroStrategy, reported Q2 earnings that exceeded expectations by 32 times, with earnings of 7 cents per share [1] Analyst Background - The analysis is conducted by Uttam, a growth-oriented investment analyst focusing on the technology sector, including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and cloud software [1] - Uttam has experience leading teams at major technology firms such as Apple and Google, and co-authors The Pragmatic Optimist Newsletter, which is cited by prominent publications [1]