Why Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Other Defense Stocks Gained Today
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By Joe Tenebruso – Mar 2, 2026 at 6:01PM ESTKey PointsConflict in the Middle East is prompting people to reduce risk.Defense companies can be safe havens during times of war.Defense stocks climbed on Monday, as traders sought shelter in investments that could safeguard their wealth. Here's how some of the leading defense contractors performed: Huntington Ingalls (HII +2.20%), up 2.1% General Dynamics (GD +2.17%), up 2.2% Lockheed Martin (LMT +3.48%), up 3.4% RTX (RTX +4.86%), up 4.7% Northrop Grumman (NOC +5.97%), up 6% The F-35 Lightning. Image source: Lockheed Martin. Conflict in the Middle East The U.S. and Israeli militaries launched large-scale combat operations against Iran this weekend. U.S.
President Donald Trump said the strikes, which are designed to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and reduce its offensive missile capabilities, could continue for four to five weeks -- and perhaps far longer. ExpandNYSE: LMTLockheed MartinToday's Change(3.48%) $22.81Current Price$677.44Key Data PointsMarket Cap$151BDay's Range$664.15 - $692.0552wk Range$410.11 - $692.05Volume170KAvg Vol1.7MGross Margin10.15%Dividend Yield2.03% U.S. and Israeli forces are expected to use an extensive array of ordnances during this time. Much of these armaments will need to be replenished in the months and years ahead. These companies are leading suppliers to the U.S. Armed Forces RTX produces many of the interceptors that defend U.S. forces and their allies from missile attacks. Lockheed Martin oversees the production of numerous key systems, including the F-16 and F-35 fighter jets. Huntington Ingalls and General Dynamics are the U.S. Navy's primary shipbuilders. They manufacture aircraft carriers, submarines, and other vessels. Northrop Grumman is tasked with accelerating the production of the B-21 Raider, the U.S. Air Force's next-generation strategic deterrence aircraft.Read NextFeb 11, 2026 •By Rich SmithIs Northrop Grumman Stock a 2026 Buy After Its 2025 Earnings Beat?Jan 8, 2026 •By Rich SmithWhy Northrop Grumman Stock Soared TodayJul 22, 2025 •By Lou WhitemanWhy Northrop Grumman Stock Is Up TodayJun 15, 2025 •By Rich SmithNorthrop Grumman Warms Up to Firefly Aerospace -- With a $50 Million InvestmentMay 18, 2025 •By Parkev Tatevosian, CFAIs Northrop Grumman a Safe Stock to Buy Right Now?Apr 28, 2025 •By Rich SmithNo Good Deed Goes Unpunished at Northrop Grumman, as Cost Improvements Cut Profits in HalfAbout the AuthorJoe Tenebruso is a contributing Motley Fool stock market analyst with more than 3,000 financial bylines to his name. Joe was an investment analyst for Stock Advisor, Income Investor, Crypto Society, and other top-rated investing services. He also managed Tier 1 Investments, a market-crushing real-money portfolio with 24.58% annualized returns. Joe graduated summa cum laude from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Science in Finance.tmfguardianX@Tier1InvestorStocks MentionedNorthrop GrummanNYSE: NOC$767.66(+5.97%)+$43.28RTXNYSE: RTX$212.47(+4.86%)+$9.85Lockheed MartinNYSE: LMT$677.44(+3.48%)+$22.81General DynamicsNYSE: GD$364.78(+2.17%)+$7.73Huntington Ingalls IndustriesNYSE: HII$453.73(+2.07%)+$9.21*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.