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Writer's pictureDe Angelis & Associates

5 Defense Stocks to Protect Your Portfolio

Usually, when we think of defense stocks, we think of the major players that win the deals to build next-generation fighters, or our newest aircraft carriers.


Those companies are doing great, but they’re in a different place than the stocks we want to talk about today. These are the second and third-tier players that either become subcontractors to the big guys or they win their own contracts.


Either way, they are smaller and tend to grow faster in strong markets. This is a great time for their leveraged growth because they have nothing to do with a China trade war. They are domestically-driven firms with great prospects.



Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings (AJRD)


Today, it’s a crucial part of the defense sector and NASA operations and has clients all around the world. It develops solid-fuel, liquid-fuel, air-breathing hypersonic, and electric propulsion systems.


The latter of these systems is especially compelling, whether for booster stages, thruster, or main engines.


Electric propulsion would mean the rockets won’t have to be as large so they can carry more payloads. And without volatile fuel, they would be safer.


AJRD works with all the major defense contractors in developing propulsion systems for all the aircraft, spacecraft, and hybrid craft that are in the air or on the drawing board.

The new space race and the ability to reach beyond borders near space make this sector a growth industry and AJRD one of the big players in it. And it’s a bargain.



Kratos Defense & Security Solutions


Now, it is a leading niche player in high-performance drones as well as unmanned ground and marine vessels.


It also is a player in the short- to medium-rage ballistic target systems and rocket support solutions.


KTOS also has exposure in the cybersecurity, microwave electronics and C5ISR (command, control, computing, communications, combat systems, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) sectors.


That broad and complementary portfolio is where the military is and will be heading as the networked battle-space becomes more of a reality. And as long as missile and drone defense on land or in the sea is important, KTOS will be in tremendous demand.




CAE


As a leader in this market, they have many potential customers from airlines and flight schools, to manufacturers and military organizations. And as new models come out, new software and systems are rolled out. Plus you have to maintain the systems.


Certainly, this is zero-tolerance work, so being a trusted name with a long reputation helps a great deal. Its training systems and training centers are used by many NATO members as well as international aerospace firms and airlines.


You can be sure that after the 737 Max issues, this aspect of the aviation industry is getting even more important.



Hexcel Corp (HXL)


It specialized in advanced composite materials for the aerospace, defense and industrial sectors.


Oddly enough it also used to make skis from its advanced material – its logo was Hexcel honeycomb, one of its signature products.


HXL also made the landing pads for the Apollo 11 lunar module. It made the nose, doors, and wings for the space shuttle Columbia and built the wings and fuselage for Voyager, the first aircraft to fly around the world on a single tank of fuel, in 1986.


Suffice it to say, HXL was and remains a very important aerospace company for cutting edge materials. It’s a well-regarded company in a unique sector, which means it will stay a key player in its markets for years to come.



HEICO


HEI specializes in designing and manufacturing equipment for niche aerospace, defense and telecom sectors.


It is the world’s largest independent provider of FAA-approved aircraft replacement parts. Since 1990, it has acquired more than 75 specialized businesses to build on its dominance in its specific markets.


When there’s a new massive plane deal or space project, it’s very likely that HEI is involved. This is the ultimate subcontractor to industries that are leaning more on digital tech and replacing mechanical tech. But it’s immaterial to HEI since it does it all.


And now with border security becoming a big issue, there are big opportunities as surveillance and improved communications will certainly be part of the package.




Article partially published on investorplace.com


* The Content is for informational purposes only, you should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. Nothing contained on our Site constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, or offer by De Angelis & Associates or any third party service provider to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments in this or in any other jurisdiction in which such solicitation or offer would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. All Content on this site is information of a general nature and does not address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity.




Credit: NASDAQ, DoD, Investor Place


© De Angelis & Associates 2020. All Rights Reserved.

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