Defense Contractors
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Defense Contractors
raw scan snapshot — prices as of scan date, not live 16 rows · screens, not recommendations superseded by2026-04-26-defense-contractorsported fromresearch/classic/scans/_archive/2026-03-13-defense-contractors.mdscan slugdefense-contractorssource typescan-archive
Defense sector strong: LMT, RTX, NOC, LHX all strong-up with golden crosses. LHX +75.0% 1Y leading. NOC +27.8% 3M. LMT +34.1% 3M. BA the weak link at RSI 30.2 (-13.9% 30D). Defense ETFs (ITA +54.1% 1Y, PPA +51.8% 1Y, DFEN +183.1% 1Y) massively outperforming. Sector rotation into defense continues.
Quick Snapshot
| Signal | Reading |
|---|---|
| Overall | 🟢 STRONG — 4 of 5 major defense contractors in strong-up trends with golden crosses. Only BA lagging (RSI 30.2, execution issues). Defense ETFs massively outperforming the market. Geopolitical tailwinds intact. |
| Leaders | LHX (+75.0% 1Y, strong-up), RTX (+60.0% 1Y, strong-up), NOC (+53.7% 1Y, strong-up) |
| Laggards | BA (RSI 30.2, -13.9% 30D, down trend) |
Price Table
| Stock | Price | RSI | SMA20 | vs SMA | vs SMA200 | 7D% | 30D% | 3M% | Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOC | $733.48 | 55.3 | $731.60 | +0.3% | +24.6% | -1.5% | +5.0% | +27.8% | 🟢 Strong-up, golden cross |
| LHX | $361.43 | 54.2 | $357.56 | +1.1% | +24.2% | -0.4% | +6.7% | +26.4% | 🟢 Strong-up, golden cross |
| RTX | $204.51 | 52.5 | $204.19 | +0.2% | +20.8% | -2.0% | +0.8% | +12.7% | 🟢 Strong-up, golden cross |
| LMT | $646.10 | 52.4 | $655.71 | -1.5% | +29.9% | -2.0% | 0.0% | +34.1% | 🟢 Strong-up, golden cross |
| GD | $351.52 | 46.3 | $354.72 | -0.9% | +7.6% | -1.2% | +2.6% | +3.6% | 🟡 Weak-down, golden cross |
| BA | $206.10 | 30.2 | $228.97 | -10.0% | -6.0% | -4.0% | -13.9% | +0.8% | 🔴 Down, -14.4% from high |
Defense ETFs
| ETF | Price | RSI | SMA20 | vs SMA | vs SMA200 | 7D% | 30D% | 3M% | Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DFEN | $76.35 | 39.6 | $87.11 | -12.4% | +24.4% | -4.6% | -3.4% | +27.3% | 🟡 Weak-down (3x leveraged) |
| ITA | $231.60 | 40.9 | $241.10 | -3.9% | +11.2% | -1.5% | -0.4% | +10.6% | 🟡 Weak-down |
| PPA | $174.76 | 44.0 | $179.63 | -2.7% | +12.9% | -1.8% | +0.5% | +13.4% | 🟡 Weak-down |
Action Matrix
| Action | Stocks | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 🔒 HOLD | LMT, RTX, NOC, LHX | Strong-up trends, golden crosses, +20-30% vs SMA200. |
| 🔍 WATCH | GD | Weakest of the pure-plays, only +7.6% vs SMA200. |
| 🔍 RESEARCH | BA | RSI 30.2, -13.9% 30D. Oversold but execution risk. |
| 🔒 HOLD | ITA, PPA | Defense ETFs, golden crosses, strong 1Y returns. |
What Changed
Bottom line: Defense remains one of the strongest sectors. LMT, RTX, NOC, LHX all in strong-up trends with golden crosses. BA is the outlier at RSI 30.2 — execution problems separate it from the group. DFEN 3x ETF +183.1% 1Y shows how powerful this trade has been.
The Gold
Key Discoveries:
- LHX +75.0% 1Y is the best-performing defense contractor — electronic warfare demand
- All 5 major contractors have golden crosses (even BA, though it's in a down trend)
- BA RSI 30.2 with -13.9% 30D — could be a contrarian entry if execution improves
- DFEN +183.1% 1Y — 3x defense has been the best leveraged ETF trade
Mistakes to Avoid:
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