Key TakeawaysUK Defence Secretary John Healey reports 17,000 North Korean troops have signed up to support Russian forces, as Moscow struggles to replace mounting battlefield losses.India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi defended a 15% hike in the national defense budget, citing "current realities" and the need for rapid modernization following regional security challenges.Lebanon’s Premier expressed optimism regarding a recovery plan with the IMF, aiming to bridge financial gaps and unlock critical internati ...

Lockheed Martin forecast 2026 profit and revenue above Wall Street estimates on Thursday, anticipating continued demand for its fighter jets and weapons amid rising geopolitical uncertainty. ...

Core Viewpoint - The global geopolitical instability has significantly boosted military contractors' stock prices, with upcoming earnings reports from major companies expected to validate this rally [1]. Group 1: Market Performance - An index of aerospace and defense shares gained 42% last year, outperforming the technology-heavy Nasdaq 100 Index, which reflects expectations for increased government spending on military assets [2]. - The recent political events, including the ousting of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and U.S. threats regarding Greenland, have intensified interest in defense stocks, driving valuations to levels typically seen in high-growth tech sectors [3]. Group 2: Future Outlook - Analysts suggest that if the increase in defense spending is just beginning, the current high valuations of defense stocks may be justified, with key earnings reports from companies like Lockheed Martin, L3Harris, Northrop Grumman, and RTX expected to provide insights [4]. - The CEO of Strategy Asset Managers believes that the valuations in the defense sector are reasonable, emphasizing the critical role these companies play in the current defense manufacturing cycle [5]. Group 3: Changing Market Dynamics - Historically viewed as defensive investments, defense stocks are now gaining traction during uncertain times, influenced by U.S. defense policy shifts and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has changed perceptions of warfare [6]. - The integration of advanced technologies such as drones, AI, and sophisticated missile defense systems into defense companies' operations has led to a reevaluation of market valuations, with some investors viewing this as a "new dawn" for the sector [7].

Quick Read Themes Transatlantic Defense ETF (NATO) surged 65% over the past year. RTX, GE Aerospace and Boeing comprise nearly 25% of assets. Lockheed Martin missed Q2 2025 earnings by 77% and posted full-year earnings down 30% to $15.69. European defense budget increases face 12 to 24 month lags before translating into defense contractor contracts. A recent study identified one single habit that doubled Americans’ retirement savings and moved retirement from dream, to reality. Read more here. ...

Market Overview - U.S. financial markets closed on January 1st, 2026, for New Year's Day, with trading resuming on January 2nd, 2026, allowing investors to reflect on a strong 2025 and strategize for the new year [1] - The final trading day of 2025 saw a modest decline in U.S. equities, with major indexes still concluding the year with impressive double-digit gains driven by optimism around artificial intelligence and strong corporate profits [2] Index Performance - On December 31st, the S&P 500 fell 0.7% to close at 6,845.50, the Nasdaq Composite dipped 0.8% to 23,241.99, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average decreased by 0.6% to 48,063.29, with light trading volume as many institutional investors had closed their books for the year [3] - The S&P 500 surged over 16% in 2025, marking its third consecutive year of double-digit gains and setting 39 record highs, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 20.4% and the Dow Jones climbed 13% [4] Economic Indicators - Investors will focus on key economic data releases in early January 2026, including the Construction Spending report, ISM Manufacturing Index, and Employment Situation Report, which will provide insights into the U.S. economy and influence market sentiment and Federal Reserve policy [5][6] Company News - Meta Platforms (META) shares rose by 1.1% following its acquisition of AI startup Manus, highlighting the strategic importance of AI for tech giants [8] - Intel (INTC) shares gained 1.7% after NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) completed a $5 billion investment in the chipmaker, emphasizing partnerships within the semiconductor industry [8] - Boeing Company (BA) saw a 0.6% increase in stock after securing an $8.58 billion U.S. Air Force contract [8] - Citigroup Inc. (C) shares fell 0.8% after approving the sale of its Russian unit, expected to result in a $1.2 billion pre-tax loss [12] - Nike (NKE) advanced 4.1% after its CEO purchased approximately $1 million worth of shares, signaling confidence in the company's future [12] AI Sector Performance - AI-related firms had significant gains in 2025, with Micron Technology (MU) up 239%, Palantir (PLTR) up 135%, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) up 77%, and Alphabet (GOOGL) up 65% [12] - Despite strong annual performance, Micron was one of the worst-performing stocks on December 31st, down 2.5% [12]

Core Points - Striking workers at Boeing Defense's St. Louis-area facilities approved the company's latest contract offer, ending a 101-day-long strike [1] - The strike had significant impacts on the production of fighter jets and other programs [1] Company Summary - The approval of the contract offer by the union officials marks a resolution to the prolonged strike, which lasted for over three months [1] - The strike's duration indicates potential challenges in labor relations and production timelines for Boeing Defense [1] Industry Summary - The resolution of the strike is expected to alleviate production delays in the defense sector, particularly for fighter jets [1] - The outcome may influence labor negotiations and operational strategies within the aerospace and defense industry [1]

Core Points - A union representing over 3,200 Boeing workers is set to vote on a contract offer on October 26 [1] Group 1 - The union represents workers who assemble fighter jets and munitions [1]

Core Viewpoint - Boeing Co's shares have decreased by 0.5% to $220.85 following a strike by 3,200 union employees in Missouri and Illinois, marking the first strike since 1996 after rejecting a new contract offer [1] Group 1: Stock Performance - Boeing's stock has been declining since reaching a 52-week high of $242.69 on July 29, post-earnings [1] - The stock has shown a 24% increase so far in 2025 [1] - The $220 level appears to be acting as support, along with the 40-day moving average [1] Group 2: Options Activity - There has been a notable increase in call options activity, with a 50-day call/put volume ratio of 2.42, ranking higher than 96% of readings from the past year [2] - The current options are considered reasonably priced, with a Schaeffer's Volatility Index (SVI) of 30%, which is in the low 6th percentile of its annual range, indicating low volatility expectations [3]

Core Points - Union members at Boeing's St. Louis facility rejected the latest contract offer and will strike starting midnight on Monday [1] - Boeing is prepared for the strike and has implemented a contingency plan [2] - The original contract proposal from Boeing included a 20% wage increase over four years and a $5,000 ratification bonus, which the union deemed insufficient [4] - A new contract offer was sent to the union with minor compensation changes benefiting senior members, while maintaining current overtime policies [5] - Boeing's defense division is expanding manufacturing facilities in St. Louis for the new F-47A fighter jet, following a recent contract win [6][7] - The upcoming strike involves 3,200 employees, significantly smaller than the previous strike involving 33,000 machinists last fall [6]

Core Points - More than 3,200 unionized workers at Boeing's St Louis facility rejected the latest contract offer and will strike starting midnight on Monday [1] - The rejected offer included minor compensation changes benefiting senior members and maintained current overtime policies, with an average annual wage increase proposed from $75,000 to $102,600 [2] - Boeing's vice-president expressed disappointment over the rejection, highlighting a 40% average wage growth in the offer and readiness for a strike with contingency plans in place [3] Company Operations - This strike marks the first at Boeing's St Louis defense hub since 1996, coinciding with the expansion of manufacturing facilities for the new US Air Force fighter, the F-47 [4] - Boeing's CEO indicated that the planned strike would be smaller than the previous year's 30,000-worker strike, which resulted in a $661 million charge related to the KC-46 tanker development [4][5] - Boeing holds contracts for several major Defense Department programs, including the F-47 and F-15EX fighters, T-7 training jet, and the Air Force One recapitalization effort [5]