Defense Stocks Surge Amid Israel-Iran Military Conflict

U.S. defense stocks, including Lockheed Martin (LMT), RTX Corp. (RTX), and L3Harris Technologies (LHX), rallied sharply following Israel''s targeted strikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities. Shares in these contractors climbed approximately 5% as markets priced in heightened geopolitical risk—the most significant attack on Iran since the 1980s Iran-Iraq war.

Global equities faltered under the shadow of escalation, with Iran retaliating via drone strikes and Israel declaring a state of emergency. The conflict underscores the defense sector''s role as a hedge against instability, though U.S. officials confirmed no direct involvement in the operations.

Lockheed Martin''s advanced F-35 jets, deployed by Israel, highlight the interplay between military technology demand and geopolitical flashpoints. Meanwhile, traditional SAFE havens like gold and oil saw volatile trading as investors weighed the prospect of prolonged regional conflict.