Group 1: Airbus Group - Airbus Group manufactures airplanes and military equipment, holding a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) [1] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increased by 0.6% over the last 60 days [1] - Shares gained 39.6% over the last three months, outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 17.1% [1] - The company possesses a Momentum Score of A [1] Group 2: Virtus Investment Partners - Virtus Investment Partners provides investment management products and services to individuals and institutions in the U.S., also holding a Zacks Rank 1 [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increased by 2.8% over the last 60 days [2] - Shares gained 35.5% over the last three months, again outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 17.1% [2] - The company possesses a Momentum Score of A [2] Group 3: Interactive Brokers - Interactive Brokers specializes in routing orders and executing trades in various financial instruments, holding a Zacks Rank 1 [3][4] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increased by 4.6% over the last 60 days [3] - Shares gained 37.8% over the last three months, surpassing the S&P 500's gain of 17.1% [4] - The company possesses a Momentum Score of B [4]

Higher U.S. defense spending is expected to benefit aerospace-defense firms specializing in military and combat-focused aerospace solutions. However, ongoing supply-chain disruptions may continue to affect industry players from the aerospace-defense space. On a positive note,  robust year-over-year growth in global air passenger demand is set to support aerospace-defense companies, especially those in commercial aviation, as airlines seek new aircraft and fleet upgrades. The frontrunners in the aerospace-de ...