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 +28.50% 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 D and is the 94th ranked industry out of 145 stock market industries

Ticker	Company	Price	Volume	Vol 1d %	SMA 10	SMA 20	SMA 50	SMA 100	SMA 200	RSI	Stochastic %K	Stochastic %D	StochRSI %K	StochRSI %D	MACD	MACD Signal	MACD Histogram	Beta
SWBI	SMITH & WESSON BRANDS INC	$13.84	594,000	-14.53%	14.33	14.33	13.81	14.38	13.94	44.61	28.06	48.69	7.24	36.79	0.08	0.16	-0.07	0.80
RGR	STURM RUGER & CO INC	$45.46	271,000	-64.76%	45.57	44.56	41.16	39.78	39.56	56.42	52.64	67.01	11.49	44.82	1.59	1.53	0.06	0.51
MOG.A	MOOG INC	$358.27	209,000	-50.47%	362.04	369.36	374.73	389.96	351.74	44.43	34.83	27.42	25.48	18.17	-6.53	-4.53	-2.00	0.99
EMBJ	EMBRAER SA	$71.07	2,805,000	69.28%	71.74	72.77	74.15	69.56	67.61	43.40	31.86	26.07	34.85	39.00	-0.88	-0.66	-0.22	1.24
ATRO	ASTRONICS CORP	$59.86	244,000	-67.38%	60.92	63.74	69.76	73.47	74.27	36.25	20.97	19.65	41.70	29.69	-2.89	-2.69	-0.19	1.24
NPK	NATIONAL PRESTO INDUSTRIES INC	$151.78	105,000	-52.91%	148.72	149.17	149.43	138.66	136.10	56.52	53.48	50.22	62.94	56.51	0.53	0.45	0.08	0.60
LMT	LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP	$635.20	2,636,000	45.07%	558.87	533.32	540.67	541.54	566.87	82.59	92.72	88.69	100.00	98.51	17.93	4.85	13.08	0.21
CVU	CPI AEROSTRUCTURES INC	$4.77	48,600	-41.45%	4.86	5.00	5.13	5.08	4.57	37.56	31.26	22.28	47.39	34.15	-0.10	-0.08	-0.02	0.75
CDRE	CADRE HOLDINGS INC	$30.63	399,000	-27.98%	27.60	26.37	28.21	29.19	32.45	73.94	97.97	97.82	100.00	99.92	0.50	-0.22	0.71	0.86
RTX	RTX CORP	$197.48	5,588,000	7.59%	191.06	187.89	196.60	198.06	195.23	58.99	83.89	79.16	94.07	92.81	-0.06	-1.80	1.74	0.54
DRS	LEONARDO DRS INC	$35.84	1,203,000	33.96%	34.87	35.63	37.19	41.30	42.25	48.65	45.40	27.68	66.61	37.62	-0.80	-0.88	0.08	0.89
DCO	DUCOMMUN INC	$163.52	158,000	-6.51%	166.47	168.81	173.01	174.33	152.35	43.60	35.72	41.66	21.19	17.16	-2.66	-1.88	-0.78	0.92
AIR	AAR CORP	$97.34	416,000	-23.95%	98.05	99.98	116.10	125.88	118.44	35.44	37.17	36.28	47.79	58.06	-5.29	-5.95	0.66	1.10
VVX	V2X INC	$76.82	292,000	-6.11%	71.02	70.83	74.15	77.60	73.58	63.63	94.51	86.85	100.00	100.00	-0.21	-1.16	0.95	0.74
HWM	HOWMET AEROSPACE INC	$194.36	5,930,000	-1.79%	208.84	217.89	235.97	255.51	249.13	29.68	12.04	11.98	16.75	5.58	-10.90	-8.51	-2.39	1.12
GD	GENERAL DYNAMICS CORP	$357.04	1,175,000	59.43%	343.61	337.47	353.60	361.51	354.82	64.79	97.46	94.73	98.20	98.80	0.21	-3.42	3.63	0.53
ESLT	ELBIT SYSTEMS LTD	$777.96	68,300	39.39%	736.91	709.53	722.21	758.09	783.85	65.21	84.13	80.58	86.42	83.79	9.29	0.29	9.00	0.43
SARO	STANDARDAERO INC	$22.44	2,722,000	-22.30%	21.21	21.00	22.90	25.44	26.80	58.44	89.52	82.94	100.00	100.00	-0.31	-0.66	0.35	1.13
IA	INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS & SUPPORT INC	$19.92	133,000	-17.39%	19.53	19.33	19.49	19.05	20.55	57.11	68.19	67.17	64.31	63.18	0.17	0.10	0.07	0.83
TATT	TAT TECHNOLOGIES LTD	$32.68	105,000	23.53%	32.33	33.12	36.04	39.45	42.69	42.40	29.42	26.66	61.86	58.18	-1.23	-1.33	0.10	0.66
HEI	HEICO CORP	$309.71	572,000	-7.74%	303.26	302.18	315.96	332.38	319.85	53.50	51.39	41.51	60.97	50.96	-2.80	-4.29	1.49	0.85
LHX	L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES INC	$260.23	1,860,000	41.23%	246.98	241.93	250.40	271.88	306.20	66.75	97.88	92.84	99.63	97.60	1.42	-1.79	3.22	0.39
CODA	CODA OCTOPUS GROUP INC	$9.37	113,000	-2.59%	9.64	10.14	10.28	10.22	11.25	34.97	12.55	10.16	12.95	9.57	-0.33	-0.21	-0.12	0.49
WWD	WOODWARD INC	$305.66	557,000	-52.11%	321.54	326.14	332.46	363.88	364.85	32.44	28.56	23.80	3.61	10.37	-6.43	-4.09	-2.33	1.02
OPXS	OPTEX SYSTEMS HOLDINGS INC	$9.48	5,800	123.08%	9.76	10.04	10.30	11.35	12.03	32.58	9.25	11.70	9.32	16.80	-0.25	-0.21	-0.04	0.70
TDG	TRANSDIGM GROUP INC	$1,129.70	385,000	-12.10%	1,128.69	1,113.32	1,134.97	1,201.28	1,231.20	51.71	57.45	63.48	61.98	71.12	0.55	-3.14	3.69	0.96
HII	HUNTINGTON INGALLS INDUSTRIES INC	$281.05	386,000	-37.03%	271.14	268.29	279.14	287.18	337.74	58.31	89.09	85.16	92.13	94.76	-0.11	-2.73	2.62	0.57
CW	CURTISS WRIGHT CORP	$476.54	379,000	-39.75%	490.87	510.21	556.25	648.24	671.77	27.94	15.17	11.58	26.16	8.72	-24.24	-23.46	-0.78	0.91
ARXS	ARXIS INC	$52.73	484,000	-46.04%	52.08	50.30	51.47	48.82	N/A	55.80	54.09	52.37	56.34	55.07	0.41	0.13	0.28	1.74
NOC	NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORP	$565.41	791,000	-3.42%	524.97	504.03	521.98	530.72	592.57	71.48	95.98	91.39	99.55	99.70	9.93	0.13	9.80	0.19
PKE	PARK AEROSPACE CORP	$26.43	232,000	-10.77%	26.13	27.67	30.23	32.54	30.80	36.27	20.32	13.96	30.06	14.26	-1.36	-1.36	-0.01	0.74
BWXT	BWX TECHNOLOGIES INC	$131.20	1,090,000	3.81%	133.84	136.68	145.88	164.43	186.29	38.82	21.07	18.42	15.26	20.22	-4.49	-4.16	-0.33	0.89
HXL	HEXCEL CORP	$79.74	1,418,000	-28.56%	86.74	85.98	89.39	94.99	90.69	30.98	14.64	35.39	1.40	28.28	-1.56	-1.04	-0.52	1.07
LOAR	LOAR HOLDINGS INC	$63.07	577,000	-38.55%	62.48	62.21	66.12	68.99	66.71	48.66	62.75	66.46	69.68	81.62	-0.71	-1.10	0.39	1.39
POWW	OUTDOOR HOLDING CO	$2.48	535,000	-38.93%	2.31	2.28	2.23	2.22	2.10	65.88	85.49	85.03	100.00	95.62	0.05	0.02	0.03	1.21
CAE	CAE INC	$26.09	669,000	76.52%	24.42	24.09	24.37	24.99	26.68	69.71	97.17	93.13	99.59	98.30	0.23	-0.03	0.26	1.15
KTOS	KRATOS DEFENSE & SECURITY SOLUTIONS INC	$40.43	3,471,000	-17.51%	39.51	41.02	46.66	49.69	65.70	41.37	34.29	22.75	49.70	31.76	-2.10	-2.26	0.16	1.23
SIF	SIFCO INDUSTRIES INC	$19.98	41,500	14.33%	20.87	21.92	21.64	22.37	17.88	35.32	2.42	7.72	0.00	2.09	-0.50	-0.23	-0.27	0.48
AZ	A2Z CUST2MATE SOLUTIONS CORP	$5.84	393,000	-20.93%	5.79	5.82	6.06	5.99	6.34	49.89	37.79	44.30	30.61	41.72	-0.04	-0.05	0.01	1.19
AVEX	AEVEX CORP	$10.68	1,864,000	-39.60%	12.99	13.82	15.78	17.14	N/A	31.10	19.18	17.32	32.59	27.98	-1.30	-0.93	-0.37	1.66
VSEC	VSE CORP	$147.87	547,000	-20.72%	155.41	161.67	185.04	196.82	196.96	33.38	16.69	14.67	13.86	8.50	-9.78	-8.99	-0.79	1.32
GE	GE AEROSPACE	$288.43	6,687,000	2.59%	301.51	305.45	321.95	339.19	323.11	29.72	21.00	18.13	6.12	3.33	-8.21	-6.86	-1.35	1.06
TXT	TEXTRON INC	$78.11	984,000	-34.57%	76.29	75.93	78.88	84.62	88.54	54.08	89.85	90.06	93.31	95.62	-0.44	-1.05	0.61	0.99
MRCY	MERCURY SYSTEMS INC	$79.71	622,000	24.65%	75.92	78.75	83.92	96.23	91.99	49.75	45.03	31.13	65.00	48.76	-2.50	-2.89	0.39	0.97
ELMT	ELMET GROUP CO	$21.84	478,000	17.16%	20.25	20.62	19.30	18.05	N/A	57.53	60.55	48.44	70.46	54.18	0.42	0.37	0.05	3.20
AXON	AXON ENTERPRISE INC	$424.77	684,000	-19.43%	406.73	411.80	478.83	502.23	482.93	48.26	85.63	69.02	100.00	94.80	-15.60	-21.64	6.03	1.20
HONA	HONEYWELL AEROSPACE INC	$168.64	2,506,000	-25.42%	162.59	159.02	159.98	N/A	N/A	59.30	73.99	65.41	75.41	64.71	0.90	-0.41	1.32	1.51
SPCX	SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP	$146.90	102,535,000	-7.31%	149.76	155.09	149.38	N/A	N/A	46.30	16.97	24.12	8.25	15.78	-0.72	0.94	-1.65	3.24
LYNX	LYNTRIS INC	$10.71	246,000	-30.31%	11.09	11.76	N/A	N/A	N/A	38.38	9.15	12.08	16.15	17.29	-0.64	-0.58	-0.06	0.12
KRMN	KARMAN HOLDINGS INC	$36.97	2,513,000	-1.10%	34.13	33.32	38.60	44.64	65.18	56.13	84.21	81.67	95.93	95.93	-0.47	-1.43	0.95	1.56
FBDT	FIRST BREACH INC	$0.83	348,000	216.36%	0.80	0.87	N/A	N/A	N/A	36.86	18.80	10.77	65.54	39.87	-0.09	-0.10	0.01	0.64
AADX	APPLIED AEROSPACE & DEFENSE INC	$10.28	1,042,000	-7.87%	10.68	11.15	12.54	16.09	N/A	37.67	23.02	17.85	29.94	33.24	-0.72	-0.72	-0.00	2.01
MDA	MDA SPACE LTD	$28.36	463,000	-48.04%	28.02	28.50	29.57	32.47	N/A	47.87	39.40	34.56	64.45	60.15	-0.62	-0.63	0.01	2.55
PL	PLANET LABS PBC	$13.76	6,684,000	10.01%	13.83	15.44	17.53	22.00	26.95	36.30	10.82	8.08	16.05	9.57	-1.25	-1.15	-0.10	1.89
SPAI	SAFE PRO GROUP INC	$3.22	64,000	-25.15%	3.37	3.85	4.42	4.39	4.54	32.37	4.50	3.72	3.44	2.65	-0.35	-0.30	-0.05	1.44
AVAV	AEROVIRONMENT INC	$125.45	1,215,000	-10.66%	121.22	130.33	144.63	153.92	190.25	39.63	28.78	17.41	56.28	28.01	-7.91	-7.92	0.01	1.13
RDW	REDWIRE CORP	$8.32	8,027,000	-20.07%	8.52	9.38	10.51	11.18	11.12	34.51	12.97	11.27	25.27	19.90	-0.70	-0.63	-0.08	2.18
BA	BOEING CO	$188.31	7,582,000	15.07%	188.85	189.33	200.26	210.78	218.40	42.33	48.07	50.33	58.71	70.07	-3.13	-3.93	0.80	1.14
BETA	BETA TECHNOLOGIES INC	$19.82	1,186,000	-18.88%	18.58	19.87	21.31	19.90	19.17	48.79	51.70	38.20	86.77	67.41	-0.70	-0.76	0.06	2.88
HAWK	HAWKEYE 360 INC	$12.76	1,582,000	31.18%	12.33	13.36	16.30	19.12	N/A	36.65	29.05	15.97	75.45	51.77	-1.22	-1.32	0.10	1.88
MNTS	MOMENTUS INC	$2.17	328,000	-23.19%	2.48	3.02	3.73	5.37	5.86	20.27	6.62	5.16	2.14	3.42	-0.50	-0.43	-0.07	2.20
FLY	FIREFLY AEROSPACE INC	$18.25	2,318,000	5.51%	17.45	19.68	21.36	23.75	27.40	42.03	27.68	21.44	61.15	44.57	-1.29	-1.23	-0.06	3.26
DPC	DPC HOLDINGS PLC	$25.50	1,214,000	34.74%	29.49	34.99	39.71	N/A	N/A	18.59	2.00	2.43	0.00	0.35	-4.19	-3.22	-0.96	1.71
SIDU	SIDUS SPACE INC	$1.12	2,870,000	7.49%	1.19	1.44	1.87	2.23	2.72	23.87	6.16	6.44	41.14	30.88	-0.23	-0.22	-0.01	1.82
SPCE	VIRGIN GALACTIC HOLDINGS INC	$2.56	3,804,000	31.85%	2.48	2.72	2.92	3.00	2.93	40.92	22.44	17.16	43.97	31.23	-0.16	-0.14	-0.02	2.10
SATL	SATELLOGIC INC	$3.71	2,292,000	-22.17%	3.94	4.63	5.01	5.05	5.30	34.39	7.07	8.00	20.30	17.61	-0.42	-0.32	-0.10	1.34
RKLB	ROCKET LAB CORP	$53.82	12,546,000	-6.68%	54.31	62.46	65.81	75.68	80.44	36.13	12.48	10.97	25.35	19.15	-4.73	-3.64	-1.09	2.16
VWAV	VISIONWAVE HOLDINGS INC	$2.94	167,000	24.63%	3.77	4.25	9.73	40.82	95.70	28.21	17.35	20.90	31.97	37.91	-2.07	-2.59	0.52	0.22
HOVR	NEW HORIZON AIRCRAFT LTD	$1.27	410,000	15.82%	1.36	1.49	1.63	1.78	1.89	22.53	2.41	2.58	0.00	2.16	-0.11	-0.09	-0.02	1.29
AIRO	AIRO GROUP HOLDINGS INC	$4.90	376,000	17.87%	5.17	5.79	6.87	7.19	8.22	25.79	8.84	5.83	19.28	14.53	-0.59	-0.53	-0.07	2.90
PEW	GRABAGUN DIGITAL HOLDINGS INC	$2.05	477,000	152.38%	1.91	1.94	2.15	2.35	2.66	54.55	48.65	48.35	91.18	93.13	-0.06	-0.09	0.03	0.39
ASTC	ASTROTECH CORP	$5.01	14,300	-7.14%	5.20	6.09	6.72	9.36	7.18	29.89	15.15	14.43	31.70	29.32	-0.60	-0.51	-0.09	0.45
LUNR	INTUITIVE MACHINES INC	$10.48	4,613,000	-19.77%	10.92	12.51	14.47	16.53	19.92	31.87	8.47	9.48	12.30	12.24	-1.22	-1.06	-0.16	0.98
YSS	YORK SPACE SYSTEMS INC	$6.32	1,364,000	7.57%	6.03	7.01	8.23	14.64	N/A	36.19	26.05	18.82	81.92	57.24	-0.84	-0.90	0.05	2.66
FJET	STARFIGHTERS SPACE INC	$0.68	1,504,000	-18.17%	1.05	1.37	2.20	3.50	5.24	11.78	1.70	2.23	0.00	0.00	-0.39	-0.36	-0.03	3.19
VOYG	VOYAGER TECHNOLOGIES INC	$24.78	881,000	-38.31%	25.19	27.31	32.02	32.90	31.83	35.37	21.12	13.65	40.10	21.23	-2.24	-2.16	-0.07	3.13
BYRN	BYRNA TECHNOLOGIES INC	$4.78	198,000	-47.06%	4.82	4.35	3.92	4.46	7.17	63.09	75.29	77.35	35.57	52.48	0.31	0.28	0.03	1.14
KITT	NAUTICUS ROBOTICS INC	$1.31	55,400	-17.31%	1.29	1.43	3.09	4.87	17.21	23.59	18.70	20.50	86.37	89.69	-0.52	-0.63	0.11	1.02
EH	EHANG HOLDINGS LTD	$3.52	716,000	37.69%	3.61	3.87	4.42	5.24	8.27	31.54	12.37	11.88	17.53	6.31	-0.29	-0.27	-0.02	1.70
EVEX	EVE HOLDING INC	$1.59	2,707,000	191.08%	1.60	1.68	2.03	2.30	2.73	36.24	66.34	61.67	94.91	97.04	-0.12	-0.14	0.02	0.97
ACHR	ARCHER AVIATION INC	$3.94	15,631,000	-22.04%	4.04	4.44	5.22	5.22	5.90	32.34	13.30	8.18	19.34	11.38	-0.39	-0.36	-0.03	2.12
DPRO	DRAGANFLY INC	$3.35	644,000	-15.37%	3.71	4.40	4.90	4.93	5.80	27.18	6.01	8.16	11.34	14.76	-0.48	-0.39	-0.09	1.23
MRLN	MERLIN INC	$0.86	1,155,000	-20.56%	1.03	1.29	2.22	3.59	6.69	22.80	4.63	2.87	23.89	13.03	-0.39	-0.41	0.02	0.53
DUKR	DUKE ROBOTICS CORP	$4.05	9,200	135.90%	4.23	4.68	5.16	5.42	N/A	29.68	22.56	19.27	44.18	43.44	-0.33	-0.29	-0.04	0.86
DFSC	DEFSEC TECHNOLOGIES INC	$0.74	28,400	0.71%	0.74	0.87	1.24	1.77	2.17	33.48	23.79	21.27	88.89	79.82	-0.15	-0.16	0.01	1.43
SAIQ	WISESATSPACE HOLDINGS CORP	$6.73	8,756,000	17.56%	4.84	5.02	8.35	9.51	10.04	51.69	49.09	46.47	85.75	84.57	-0.80	-1.24	0.44	0.38
FACT	FACT II ACQUISITION CORP	$10.76	22,400	N/A	10.75	10.74	10.72	10.68	10.61	69.96	72.73	75.35	49.00	67.69	0.01	0.01	0.00	0.01
EVTL	VERTICAL AEROSPACE LTD	$0.39	2,914,000	16.33%	0.40	0.48	0.59	1.12	2.35	31.05	18.53	19.57	51.99	51.28	-0.08	-0.08	0.00	1.46
AIRI	AIR INDUSTRIES GROUP	$2.55	15,600	-68.80%	2.52	2.56	2.58	2.71	2.95	48.78	31.77	24.36	55.66	43.54	-0.02	-0.02	0.00	0.49
PRZO	PARAZERO TECHNOLOGIES LTD	$0.48	231,000	102.63%	0.52	0.57	0.66	0.60	0.77	32.82	4.60	7.93	3.16	10.49	-0.04	-0.04	-0.01	0.94
GPUS	HYPERSCALE DATA INC	$0.18	63,343,000	-83.56%	0.15	0.15	0.18	0.17	0.18	56.27	50.79	32.68	66.87	46.86	-0.01	-0.01	0.00	1.31
VHUB	VENHUB GLOBAL INC	$0.32	121,000	98.36%	0.35	0.40	0.61	0.80	N/A	28.88	6.80	9.14	57.49	67.14	-0.08	-0.08	0.00	1.55
NSTR	NORTHSTAR EARTH & SPACE ENTERPRISES INC	$3.35	78,000	-52.44%	3.21	4.05	6.78	8.48	9.26	36.39	41.06	33.07	92.13	86.49	-1.06	-1.20	0.14	-0.40

Defense Stocks FAQ

What are the best defense stocks to buy right now in Oct 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. Smith & Wesson Brands (NASDAQ:SWBI)

Smith & Wesson Brands (NASDAQ:SWBI) is the #1 top defense stock out of 93 with a Zen Rating of A. Stocks with a rating of A have had an average return of +28.5% per year. Learn more.

The Component Grade breakdown for Smith & Wesson Brands (NASDAQ:SWBI) is: Value: C, Growth: B, Momentum: C, Sentiment: A, Safety: C, Financials: B, and AI: C.

Smith & Wesson Brands (NASDAQ:SWBI) has a Due Diligence Score of 43, which is 9 points higher than the defense industry average of 34.

SWBI passed 15 out of 38 due diligence checks and has strong fundamentals. Smith & Wesson Brands has seen its stock return 36.22% over the past year, overperforming other defense stocks by 46 percentage points.

Smith & Wesson Brands has an average 1 year price target of $16.50, an upside of 19.22% from Smith & Wesson Brands's current stock price of $13.84.

Smith & Wesson Brands stock has a consensus Strong Buy recommendation according to Wall Street analysts. Of the 1 analyst covering Smith & Wesson Brands, 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.

2. Sturm Ruger & Co (NYSE:RGR)

Sturm Ruger & Co (NYSE:RGR) is the #2 top defense stock out of 93 with a Zen Rating of A. Stocks with a rating of A have had an average return of +28.5% per year. Learn more.

The Component Grade breakdown for Sturm Ruger & Co (NYSE:RGR) is: Value: C, Growth: A, Momentum: C, Sentiment: C, Safety: B, Financials: B, and AI: C.

Sturm Ruger & Co (NYSE:RGR) has a Due Diligence Score of 42, which is 8 points higher than the defense industry average of 34.

RGR passed 16 out of 38 due diligence checks and has strong fundamentals. Sturm Ruger & Co has seen its stock lose -2.86% over the past year, overperforming other defense stocks by 7 percentage points.

3. Moog (NYSE:MOG.A)

Moog (NYSE:MOG.A) is the #3 top defense stock out of 93 with a Zen Rating of A. Stocks with a rating of A have had an average return of +28.5% per year. Learn more.

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

Moog (NYSE:MOG.A) has a Due Diligence Score of 60, which is 26 points higher than the defense industry average of 34.

MOG.A passed 23 out of 38 due diligence checks and has strong fundamentals. Moog has seen its stock return 69.33% over the past year, overperforming other defense stocks by 80 percentage points.

Moog has an average 1 year price target of $445.67, an upside of 24.39% from Moog's current stock price of $358.27.

Moog stock has a consensus Strong Buy recommendation according to Wall Street analysts. Of the 4 analysts covering Moog, 75% have issued a Strong Buy rating, 0% have issued a Buy, 25% 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 24 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 3.76%, which is 3 percentage points higher than the defense industry average of 1.05%. 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 94.5% indicates that its dividend yield might not be sustainable for the long-term.

2. Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT)

Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) has an annual dividend yield of 2.17%, which is 1 percentage points higher than the defense industry average of 1.05%. Lockheed Martin's dividend payout is stable, having never dropped by more than 10% in the last 10 years. Lockheed Martin's dividend has shown consistent growth over the last 10 years.

Lockheed Martin's dividend payout ratio of 48.8% indicates that its dividend yield is sustainable for the long-term.

3. L3harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX)

L3harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX) has an annual dividend yield of 1.9%, which is 1 percentage points higher than the defense industry average of 1.05%. L3harris Technologies's dividend payout is stable, having never dropped by more than 10% in the last 10 years. L3harris Technologies's dividend has shown consistent growth over the last 10 years.

L3harris Technologies's dividend payout ratio of 49.1% indicates that its dividend yield is sustainable for the long-term.

Why are defense stocks up?

Defense stocks were up 2.81% in the last day, and up 1.41% over the last week. First Breach was the among the top gainers in the aerospace & defense industry, gaining 10.67% yesterday.

Shares of aerospace and defense companies are trading higher, possibly in response to peer Lockheed Martin, after analysts raised their respective price targets on the stock.

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 25 points higher than the defense industry average of 18. It passed 3 out of 7 valuation due diligence checks.

Textron's stock has dropped -2.93% in the past year. It has overperformed other stocks in the defense industry by 7 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 43, which is 25 points higher than the defense industry average of 18. It passed 3 out of 7 valuation due diligence checks.

V2x's stock has gained 27.42% in the past year. It has overperformed other stocks in the defense industry by 38 percentage points.

3. Optex Systems Holdings (NASDAQ:OPXS)

Optex Systems Holdings (NASDAQ:OPXS) 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.

Optex Systems Holdings has a valuation score of 57, which is 39 points higher than the defense industry average of 18. It passed 4 out of 7 valuation due diligence checks.

Optex Systems Holdings's stock has dropped -44.24% in the past year. It has underperformed other stocks in the defense industry by -34 percentage points.

Are defense stocks a good buy now?

55.07% of defense stocks rated by analysts are a strong buy right now. On average, analysts expect defense stocks to rise by 30.72% over the next year.

4.82% of defense stocks have a Zen Rating of A (Strong Buy), 16.87% of defense stocks are rated B (Buy), 46.99% are rated C (Hold), 21.69% are rated D (Sell), and 9.64% 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 14.24x.

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 +28.50% per year, and are the best defense stocks to buy now. Learn More.

Defense Stocks FAQ

1. Smith & Wesson Brands (NASDAQ:SWBI)

2. Sturm Ruger & Co (NYSE:RGR)

3. Moog (NYSE:MOG.A)

1. Smith & Wesson Brands (NASDAQ:SWBI)

2. Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT)

3. L3harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX)

1. Textron (NYSE:TXT)

2. V2x (NYSE:VVX)

3. Optex Systems Holdings (NASDAQ:OPXS)

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 +28.50% per year, and are the best defense stocks to buy now. Learn More.

Defense Stocks FAQ

1. Smith & Wesson Brands (NASDAQ:SWBI)

2. Sturm Ruger & Co (NYSE:RGR)

3. Moog (NYSE:MOG.A)

1. Smith & Wesson Brands (NASDAQ:SWBI)

2. Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT)

3. L3harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX)

1. Textron (NYSE:TXT)

2. V2x (NYSE:VVX)

3. Optex Systems Holdings (NASDAQ:OPXS)

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 +28.50% per year, and are the best defense stocks to buy now. Learn More.