Core Insights - Recent U.S. military operations in Venezuela have heightened geopolitical tensions, leading to increased defense spending and a positive outlook for defense companies [1][2][3] Defense Sector Performance - The S&P 500 Aerospace & Defense Index has increased by 53.52% over the past year and 7.91% from January 2 to January 5, significantly outperforming the broader S&P 500, which rose by 16.15% over the same period [2] - Major U.S. defense companies such as Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and RTX Corporation saw their shares rise by approximately 4.4%, 3.0%, and 0.6% respectively following the military operation [4] Global Defense Spending Trends - Global defense spending is projected to exceed $3.6 trillion by 2030, representing a 33% increase from 2024 levels, driven by higher defense budgets and modernization programs [5] - Geopolitical priorities in the U.S., Europe, and Asia continue to support sustained defense spending despite easing conflict headlines [5] Investment Opportunities - Investing in Aerospace and Defense ETFs is recommended as these funds typically perform well during periods of increased military activity and defense spending [6] - Notable ETFs include iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA), Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF (PPA), and Global X Defense Tech ETF (SHLD), with ITA having an asset base of $13.26 billion, making it the largest among the options [7][8] European Defense Market - The STOXX Europe Total Market Aerospace & Defense Index has shown renewed investor confidence, reversing a downward trend since early December, indicating a potential recovery in European defense stocks [9]