Sectors & Industries IndustrialsAerospace & Defense
Best Defense Stocks to Buy Now (2026)
Top defense stocks in 2026 ranked by overall Zen Rating. "A" Rated stocks have returned an average of +32.52% per year, and are the best defense stocks to buy now. Learn More.

Industry: Aerospace & Defense

Overview Zen Rating Price Value Growth Financials

Momentum Sentiment Forecast Dividends Due Diligence

Defense is Zen Rated C and is the 71st ranked industry out of 145 stock market industries

Ticker	Company	Market Cap	ROE	ROA	ROCE	ROIC	D/E	Current Ratio	Gross Margin	Profit Margin	Operating Margin
SIF	SIFCO INDUSTRIES INC	$82.72M	9.40%	4.40%	10.45%	8.10%	0.94	1.72	16.90%	3.80%	6.29%
VVX	V2X INC	$2.14B	7.30%	2.50%	7.98%	14.80%	2.03	1.22	8.30%	1.70%	4.04%
ATRO	ASTRONICS CORP	$2.38B	14.90%	4.40%	7.87%	6.50%	4.05	3.10	29.90%	3.40%	5.16%
MOG.A	MOOG INC	$9.28B	13.30%	5.90%	11.93%	11.90%	1.20	2.33	27.40%	6.40%	10.31%
HII	HUNTINGTON INGALLS INDUSTRIES INC	$14.91B	12.30%	4.90%	9.09%	10.10%	1.51	1.13	12.70%	4.80%	7.07%
WWD	WOODWARD INC	$21.34B	19.60%	10.50%	16.93%	22.00%	0.83	2.05	27.90%	12.90%	16.68%
SWBI	SMITH & WESSON BRANDS INC	$637.60M	3.30%	2.20%	4.80%	4.10%	0.48	4.50	26.40%	2.50%	4.74%
NOC	NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORP	$96.82B	26.50%	8.40%	15.29%	17.50%	2.08	1.10	19.80%	10.00%	13.66%
PKE	PARK AEROSPACE CORP	$545.57M	8.20%	7.30%	11.69%	18.30%	0.11	15.84	31.30%	13.10%	19.96%
AIR	AAR CORP	$4.35B	12.10%	5.50%	11.57%	11.70%	1.03	2.70	19.00%	5.50%	9.89%
RTX	RTX CORP	$258.93B	10.60%	4.00%	9.03%	16.00%	1.59	1.03	20.10%	7.60%	11.45%
LMT	LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP	$139.06B	80.50%	8.50%	19.29%	17.20%	7.90	1.09	10.20%	6.70%	9.38%
CODA	CODA OCTOPUS GROUP INC	$127.42M	7.20%	6.60%	9.46%	23.50%	0.09	10.90	66.30%	14.80%	20.54%
TXT	TEXTRON INC	$15.25B	12.20%	5.30%	9.15%	9.80%	1.30	1.82	18.20%	6.20%	8.52%
CW	CURTISS WRIGHT CORP	$25.11B	18.70%	9.50%	17.38%	25.60%	1.06	1.44	37.20%	13.80%	18.96%
HWM	HOWMET AEROSPACE INC	$92.40B	29.70%	13.70%	21.16%	26.60%	1.09	2.13	34.20%	18.30%	24.13%
DCO	DUCOMMUN INC	$1.83B	-5.00%	-2.90%	-3.09%	-3.80%	0.79	3.50	26.90%	-4.10%	-3.78%
ESLT	ELBIT SYSTEMS LTD	$39.39B	13.90%	4.40%	N/A	10.50%	2.07	N/A	24.40%	6.70%	9.18%
ISSC	INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS & SUPPORT INC	$364.99M	31.10%	19.20%	29.58%	35.30%	0.60	2.96	50.80%	21.00%	29.61%
DRS	LEONARDO DRS INC	$11.84B	10.50%	6.60%	10.57%	19.70%	0.64	1.89	23.80%	7.60%	9.43%
SARO	STANDARDAERO INC	$8.59B	10.90%	4.20%	10.51%	11.80%	1.46	2.20	14.80%	4.60%	9.09%
GE	GE AEROSPACE	$297.62B	45.90%	6.90%	12.01%	12.90%	5.96	1.04	36.80%	19.00%	23.88%
HXL	HEXCEL CORP	$6.14B	7.40%	3.90%	7.25%	5.80%	1.16	2.26	23.00%	5.80%	9.12%
CVU	CPI AEROSTRUCTURES INC	$51.78M	-3.40%	-1.20%	-0.34%	-0.30%	1.92	1.89	15.20%	-1.20%	-0.25%
GD	GENERAL DYNAMICS CORP	$92.71B	17.60%	7.40%	13.39%	23.20%	1.23	1.44	15.10%	8.00%	10.31%
BWXT	BWX TECHNOLOGIES INC	$18.70B	27.70%	8.90%	12.26%	11.80%	2.47	2.32	22.90%	10.30%	13.80%
RGR	STURM RUGER & CO INC	$639.21M	-1.50%	-1.20%	-2.46%	-2.50%	0.21	3.87	14.90%	-0.80%	-1.29%
MRCY	MERCURY SYSTEMS INC	$4.38B	-2.10%	-1.20%	-0.24%	-0.40%	0.71	2.96	28.20%	-3.20%	-0.55%
LHX	L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES INC	$64.47B	8.30%	3.90%	7.45%	14.30%	1.10	1.19	25.70%	7.30%	11.57%
BYRN	BYRNA TECHNOLOGIES INC	$208.12M	15.80%	12.40%	17.42%	22.70%	0.29	3.73	60.50%	8.20%	9.94%
KRMN	KARMAN HOLDINGS INC	$10.59B	3.60%	1.30%	7.63%	9.30%	1.62	2.86	40.00%	2.60%	15.63%
EMBJ	EMBRAER SA	$10.72B	10.80%	2.80%	10.73%	14.40%	2.64	1.50	17.50%	4.60%	11.55%
CAE	CAE INC	$8.38B	7.50%	3.40%	8.24%	9.00%	1.12	0.91	28.40%	7.70%	14.69%
HEI	HEICO CORP	$38.26B	16.80%	8.30%	12.15%	21.30%	0.89	3.06	39.60%	15.40%	21.59%
AIRI	AIR INDUSTRIES GROUP	$15.44M	-7.60%	-2.40%	1.96%	0.90%	2.04	1.24	17.10%	-2.70%	0.85%
POWW	OUTDOOR HOLDING CO	$235.75M	-36.40%	-30.10%	-32.98%	-577.20%	0.15	4.00	-1,027.40%	1,694.00%	1,681.59%
KTOS	KRATOS DEFENSE & SECURITY SOLUTIONS INC	$12.01B	1.20%	0.90%	1.30%	2.60%	0.24	4.06	22.90%	1.60%	2.09%
BA	BOEING CO	$156.31B	-80.30%	1.20%	8.99%	6.30%	29.85	1.19	4.80%	2.10%	6.04%
TATT	TAT TECHNOLOGIES LTD	$527.50M	10.70%	8.10%	10.36%	13.10%	0.29	4.89	24.80%	9.40%	11.22%
MDA	MDA SPACE LTD	N/A	N/A	N/A	8.31%	N/A	1.48	0.47	25.10%	6.60%	10.37%
AXON	AXON ENTERPRISE INC	$34.14B	4.30%	1.90%	2.05%	2.30%	1.16	2.53	59.70%	4.50%	4.07%
CDRE	CADRE HOLDINGS INC	$1.31B	13.50%	5.90%	11.24%	14.10%	1.42	3.50	42.50%	7.20%	12.26%
OPXS	OPTEX SYSTEMS HOLDINGS INC	$91.75M	19.40%	15.50%	21.50%	26.40%	0.22	5.87	28.40%	10.70%	13.15%
TDG	TRANSDIGM GROUP INC	$65.45B	-24.40%	7.90%	20.04%	13.60%	-3.56	2.75	59.60%	19.80%	46.68%
NPK	NATIONAL PRESTO INDUSTRIES INC	$981.95M	8.70%	6.90%	10.38%	10.70%	0.27	4.25	16.00%	6.60%	8.36%
AOUT	AMERICAN OUTDOOR BRANDS INC	$117.64M	-5.80%	-4.10%	-4.84%	-4.90%	0.36	5.65	43.10%	-4.80%	-4.64%
AIRO	AIRO GROUP HOLDINGS INC	$239.06M	-0.60%	-0.50%	1.71%	232.60%	0.05	3.45	59.90%	-4.50%	14.01%
LOAR	LOAR HOLDINGS INC	$5.36B	6.30%	4.40%	5.40%	16.50%	0.73	4.70	52.70%	14.50%	21.41%
VSEC	VSE CORP	$5.16B	1.10%	0.70%	2.67%	4.00%	0.41	3.76	14.20%	1.10%	4.30%
YSS	YORK SPACE SYSTEMS INC	$2.83B	-10.30%	-6.10%	-5.34%	-35.20%	0.54	1.61	19.50%	-22.00%	-17.77%
SATL	SATELLOGIC INC	$778.24M	N/A	-5.40%	-3.19%	-4.00%	1.50	5.12	72.50%	-27.00%	-23.21%
EH	EHANG HOLDINGS LTD	$725.04M	-22.50%	-12.50%	-16.94%	-17.20%	0.84	2.12	62.00%	-45.20%	-43.97%
RKLB	ROCKET LAB CORP	$34.30B	-19.20%	-10.80%	-10.02%	-20.00%	0.35	4.08	34.40%	-32.90%	-33.14%
PL	PLANET LABS PBC	$9.67B	-69.60%	-27.40%	-35.31%	-53.00%	5.08	1.65	56.10%	-80.20%	-77.59%
SIDU	SIDUS SPACE INC	$81.77M	-116.40%	-67.30%	-95.74%	-123.70%	0.66	1.38	-129.80%	-655.40%	-647.02%
BETA	BETA TECHNOLOGIES INC	$3.38B	-85.50%	-69.50%	-36.07%	-146.10%	0.16	22.77	72.20%	-2,704.50%	-2,055.65%
PRZO	PARAZERO TECHNOLOGIES LTD	$18.06M	-380.50%	-98.00%	-136.10%	-389.20%	0.68	3.64	4.80%	-517.10%	-517.09%
VWAV	VISIONWAVE HOLDINGS INC	$92.86M	N/A	-231.20%	-417.53%	260.90%	5.00	0.26	N/A	N/A	N/A
AVAV	AEROVIRONMENT INC	$9.14B	-6.40%	-5.00%	-4.88%	-14.40%	0.28	5.51	24.70%	-13.90%	-15.59%
DPRO	DRAGANFLY INC	$144.08M	-48.00%	-43.00%	-24.87%	-1,086.30%	0.05	21.63	17.10%	-297.30%	-311.34%
MNTS	MOMENTUS INC	$4.98M	N/A	-281.80%	-1,529.91%	3,438.90%	-29.24	0.41	99.80%	-3,445.30%	-3,375.58%
SPCE	VIRGIN GALACTIC HOLDINGS INC	$197.82M	-107.70%	-32.20%	-44.80%	-28.90%	1.93	1.78	-4,613.00%	-18,063.90%	-17,232.71%
RDW	REDWIRE CORP	$1.63B	-38.50%	-23.10%	-16.38%	-87.70%	0.29	1.63	5.20%	-81.20%	-63.17%
FLY	FIREFLY AEROSPACE INC	$4.55B	-349.70%	-33.50%	-19.48%	-108.40%	0.53	4.51	19.20%	-208.90%	-196.37%
AZ	A2Z CUST2MATE SOLUTIONS CORP	$279.63M	-83.40%	-66.90%	-42.78%	-278.30%	0.15	8.58	33.80%	-483.60%	-476.43%
VTSI	VIRTRA INC	$41.94M	0.60%	0.40%	0.27%	0.30%	0.43	4.01	67.90%	1.20%	0.66%
LUNR	INTUITIVE MACHINES INC	$4.02B	N/A	-13.50%	-11.89%	-33.20%	-0.73	4.96	4.30%	-39.90%	-35.78%
FJET	STARFIGHTERS SPACE INC	$260.16M	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	-3.23	0.25	N/A	N/A	N/A
SPAI	SAFE PRO GROUP INC	$79.91M	-280.20%	-224.50%	-142.82%	-3,149.80%	0.15	7.60	46.60%	-968.90%	-968.14%
SKYH	SKY HARBOUR GROUP CORP	$733.43M	16.40%	3.30%	N/A	2.30%	3.30	N/A	7.60%	68.30%	73.26%
VOYG	VOYAGER TECHNOLOGIES INC	$1.38B	-29.50%	-16.40%	-10.73%	-43.00%	1.62	4.37	18.00%	-69.70%	-59.15%
PEW	GRABAGUN DIGITAL HOLDINGS INC	$88.82M	-4.80%	-2.30%	-2.18%	-5.40%	0.22	7.20	11.70%	-2.60%	-2.59%
HOVR	NEW HORIZON AIRCRAFT LTD	$62.40M	-356.80%	-202.60%	-141.57%	2,782.60%	0.77	6.51	N/A	N/A	N/A
ACHR	ARCHER AVIATION INC	$3.85B	-37.80%	-32.90%	-26.17%	-80.90%	0.12	19.89	0.00%	-206,066.70%	-205,966.67%
EVEX	EVE HOLDING INC	$863.80M	-225.70%	-62.30%	-68.72%	-59.80%	2.51	3.29	N/A	N/A	N/A
EVTL	VERTICAL AEROSPACE LTD	$224.54M	-217.30%	224.50%	-171.85%	-558.20%	-1.87	0.45	N/A	N/A	N/A
DFSC	DEFSEC TECHNOLOGIES INC	$4.01M	-125.00%	-75.10%	-84.60%	-259.20%	0.56	4.25	32.40%	-154.00%	-151.25%
ASTC	ASTROTECH CORP	$9.20M	-68.50%	-57.30%	-78.40%	-65.90%	0.27	7.56	42.30%	-1,163.90%	-1,163.72%
GPUS	HYPERSCALE DATA INC	$52.17M	-233.20%	-19.90%	-33.75%	-20.50%	3.30	0.50	20.00%	-47.00%	-22.31%
KITT	NAUTICUS ROBOTICS INC	$6.84M	N/A	-272.60%	2,755.94%	-305.80%	-11.38	0.21	-137.30%	-2,265.00%	-2,161.43%

Defense Stocks FAQ

What are the best defense stocks to buy right now in Apr 2026?

According to Zen Ratings, our proprietary rating system that evaluates 115 factors proven to drive growth in stocks and assigns each stock in our system an overall letter grade as well as 7 individual Component Grades for Value, Growth, Momentum, Sentiment, Safety, Financials, and proprietary AI algorithms, the 3 best defense stocks to buy right now are:

1. Sifco Industries (NYSEMKT:SIF)

Sifco Industries (NYSEMKT:SIF) is the #1 top defense stock out of 80 with a Zen Rating of A. Stocks with a rating of A have had an average return of +32.52% per year. Learn more.

The Component Grade breakdown for Sifco Industries (NYSEMKT:SIF) is: Value: B, Growth: A, Momentum: A, Sentiment: C, Safety: C, Financials: A, and AI: D.

Sifco Industries (NYSEMKT:SIF) has a Due Diligence Score of 34, which is 1 points higher than the defense industry average of 33.

SIF passed 10 out of 33 due diligence checks and has average fundamentals. Sifco Industries has seen its stock return 382.25% over the past year, overperforming other defense stocks by 346 percentage points.

2. V2x (NYSE:VVX)

V2x (NYSE:VVX) is the #2 top defense stock out of 80 with a Zen Rating of A. Stocks with a rating of A have had an average return of +32.52% per year. Learn more.

The Component Grade breakdown for V2x (NYSE:VVX) is: Value: B, Growth: B, Momentum: C, Sentiment: B, Safety: B, Financials: C, and AI: B.

V2x (NYSE:VVX) has a Due Diligence Score of 46, which is 13 points higher than the defense industry average of 33.

VVX passed 15 out of 33 due diligence checks and has strong fundamentals. V2x has seen its stock return 39.65% over the past year, overperforming other defense stocks by 4 percentage points.

V2x has an average 1 year price target of $70.14, an upside of 2.4% from V2x's current stock price of $68.50.

V2x stock has a consensus Hold recommendation according to Wall Street analysts. Of the 7 analysts covering V2x, 28.57% have issued a Strong Buy rating, 0% have issued a Buy, 42.86% have issued a hold, while 0% have issued a Sell rating, and 28.57% have issued a Strong Sell.

3. Astronics (NASDAQ:ATRO)

Astronics (NASDAQ:ATRO) is the #3 top defense stock out of 80 with a Zen Rating of A. Stocks with a rating of A have had an average return of +32.52% per year. Learn more.

The Component Grade breakdown for Astronics (NASDAQ:ATRO) is: Value: C, Growth: A, Momentum: B, Sentiment: B, Safety: B, Financials: B, and AI: C.

Astronics (NASDAQ:ATRO) has a Due Diligence Score of 36, which is 3 points higher than the defense industry average of 33.

ATRO passed 12 out of 33 due diligence checks and has average fundamentals. Astronics has seen its stock return 176.09% over the past year, overperforming other defense stocks by 140 percentage points.

Astronics has an average 1 year price target of $86.00, an upside of 28.88% from Astronics's current stock price of $66.73.

Astronics stock has a consensus Strong Buy recommendation according to Wall Street analysts. Of the 2 analysts covering Astronics, 100% have issued a Strong Buy rating, 0% have issued a Buy, 0% have issued a hold, while 0% have issued a Sell rating, and 0% have issued a Strong Sell.

What are the defense stocks with highest dividends?

Out of 23 defense stocks that have issued dividends in the past year, the 3 defense stocks with the highest dividend yields are:

1. Smith & Wesson Brands (NASDAQ:SWBI)

Smith & Wesson Brands (NASDAQ:SWBI) has an annual dividend yield of 3.63%, which is 3 percentage points higher than the defense industry average of 0.93%. Smith & Wesson Brands's dividend payout is stable, having never dropped by more than 10% in the last 10 years. Smith & Wesson Brands's dividend has shown consistent growth over the last 10 years.

Smith & Wesson Brands's dividend payout ratio of 200% indicates that its dividend yield might not be sustainable for the long-term.

2. Park Aerospace (NYSE:PKE)

Park Aerospace (NYSE:PKE) has an annual dividend yield of 1.84%, which is 1 percentage points higher than the defense industry average of 0.93%. Park Aerospace's dividend payout is not stable, having dropped more than 10% two times in the last 10 years. Park Aerospace's dividend has shown consistent growth over the last 10 years.

Park Aerospace's dividend payout ratio of 117.4% indicates that its dividend yield might not be sustainable for the long-term.

3. General Dynamics (NYSE:GD)

General Dynamics (NYSE:GD) has an annual dividend yield of 1.75%, which is 1 percentage points higher than the defense industry average of 0.93%. General Dynamics's dividend payout is stable, having never dropped by more than 10% in the last 10 years. General Dynamics's dividend has shown consistent growth over the last 10 years.

General Dynamics's dividend payout ratio of 38.3% indicates that its dividend yield is sustainable for the long-term.

Why are defense stocks up?

Defense stocks were up 3.67% in the last day, and down -2.48% over the last week. Virgin Galactic Holdings was the among the top gainers in the aerospace & defense industry, gaining 11.98% yesterday.

Shares of space-related companies are trading higher amid sympathy with Globalstar after reports suggest it is in talks to be acquired by Amazon. The industry has seen recent strength related to the anticipated SpaceX IPO and the Artemis II mission.

What are the most undervalued defense stocks?

Based on the Valuation rating, one of the 7 components of a stocks overall Zen Ratings grade, which evaluates factors including estimated earnings yield, earnings before interest and taxes/enterprise value, cash flow yield, free cash flow to price, and price-to-earnings growth (PEG ratio), the 3 most undervalued defense stocks right now are:

1. Textron (NYSE:TXT)

Textron (NYSE:TXT) is the most undervalued defense stock based on its Valuation Rating of A. Valuation is one of 7 Component Grades used to calculate the overall Zen Rating.

Textron has a valuation score of 43, which is 23 points higher than the defense industry average of 20. It passed 3 out of 7 valuation due diligence checks.

Textron's stock has gained 21.19% in the past year. It has underperformed other stocks in the defense industry by -15 percentage points.

2. V2x (NYSE:VVX)

V2x (NYSE:VVX) is the second most undervalued defense stock based on its Valuation Rating of B. Valuation is one of 7 Component Grades used to calculate the overall Zen Rating.

V2x has a valuation score of 57, which is 37 points higher than the defense industry average of 20. It passed 4 out of 7 valuation due diligence checks.

V2x's stock has gained 39.65% in the past year. It has overperformed other stocks in the defense industry by 4 percentage points.

3. Byrna Technologies (NASDAQ:BYRN)

Byrna Technologies (NASDAQ:BYRN) is the third most undervalued defense stock based on its Valuation Rating of B. Valuation is one of 7 Component Grades used to calculate the overall Zen Rating.

Byrna Technologies has a valuation score of 57, which is 37 points higher than the defense industry average of 20. It passed 4 out of 7 valuation due diligence checks.

Byrna Technologies's stock has dropped -45.49% in the past year. It has underperformed other stocks in the defense industry by -81 percentage points.

Are defense stocks a good buy now?

71.43% of defense stocks rated by analysts are a strong buy right now. On average, analysts expect defense stocks to rise by 15.76% over the next year.

11.84% of defense stocks have a Zen Rating of A (Strong Buy), 18.42% of defense stocks are rated B (Buy), 46.05% are rated C (Hold), 13.16% are rated D (Sell), and 10.53% are rated F (Strong Sell).

What is the average p/e ratio of the aerospace & defense industry?

The average P/E ratio of the aerospace & defense industry is 50.11x.

WallStreetZen does not provide financial advice and does not issue recommendations or offers to buy stock or sell any security.

Information is provided 'as-is' and solely for informational purposes and is not advice. WallStreetZen does not bear any responsibility for any losses or damage that may occur as a result of reliance on this data.

Sectors & Industries IndustrialsAerospace & Defense
Best Defense Stocks to Buy Now (2026)
Top defense stocks in 2026 ranked by overall Zen Rating. "A" Rated stocks have returned an average of +32.52% per year, and are the best defense stocks to buy now. Learn More.

Defense Stocks FAQ

1. Sifco Industries (NYSEMKT:SIF)

2. V2x (NYSE:VVX)

3. Astronics (NASDAQ:ATRO)

1. Smith & Wesson Brands (NASDAQ:SWBI)

2. Park Aerospace (NYSE:PKE)

3. General Dynamics (NYSE:GD)

1. Textron (NYSE:TXT)

2. V2x (NYSE:VVX)

3. Byrna Technologies (NASDAQ:BYRN)

Company

Stock Tools

Stock Ideas

Sectors & IndustriesIndustrialsAerospace & DefenseBest Defense Stocks to Buy Now (2026)Top defense stocks in 2026 ranked by overall Zen Rating. "A" Rated stocks have returned an average of +32.52% per year, and are the best defense stocks to buy now. Learn More.

Defense Stocks FAQ

1. Sifco Industries (NYSEMKT:SIF)

2. V2x (NYSE:VVX)

3. Astronics (NASDAQ:ATRO)

1. Smith & Wesson Brands (NASDAQ:SWBI)

2. Park Aerospace (NYSE:PKE)

3. General Dynamics (NYSE:GD)

1. Textron (NYSE:TXT)

2. V2x (NYSE:VVX)

3. Byrna Technologies (NASDAQ:BYRN)

Company

Stock Tools

Stock Ideas

Sectors & Industries IndustrialsAerospace & Defense
Best Defense Stocks to Buy Now (2026)
Top defense stocks in 2026 ranked by overall Zen Rating. "A" Rated stocks have returned an average of +32.52% per year, and are the best defense stocks to buy now. Learn More.