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4 Top Stocks to Rally on America's Defense Resolve

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On Jul 24, the U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo stated that demolition of ISIS should be the top priority of the Trump administration. Further, the Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve, a U.S.-led international coalition of superpowers against the ISIS was successful in crushing the terrorist organization in the past month.

On the other hand, the United States is expected to thwart China’s presence and influence in the Pacific rim by passing a landmark 2019 defense authorization bill. Such developments are bound to push defense stocks upward. Investors should seize such an opportunity and look no further than investing in stocks from the sector.

Pompeo Vows to Decimate ISIS

In his statement on Tuesday, Pompeo also highlighted the recent success that security forces have had in their encounters with ISIS in both Syria and Afghanistan. He stressed on the fact that liberation of Iraq and consistent victories in skirmishes with the terror outfit imply that the resolve to destroy the outlaws is now stronger than ever.

Last week, in a meeting with about 53 members of the coalition force, Pompeo discussed the “next phase” of the war and measures to stabilize the “liberated areas.” Pompeo also congratulated the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on behalf of the United States on their successful campaign to free al-Dashisha in Syria from ISIS. Post operation, forces from both Iraq and Syria now control the respective sides of the borders.

The skirmishes with the terror organization in the past month have also resulted in an uptick in shares of defense companies, with significant exposure to the Middle East. Shares of Raytheon , Boeing (BA - Free Report) , General Dynamics (GD - Free Report) and Lockheed Martin have surged 1.6%, 8.1%, 4.2% and 7.9%, respectively over this period. Such companies are likely to capitalize on increased orders for missile defense and tactical missile systems along with increased demand for ship and other aircraft equipment.

United States Aims to Curtail China’s Influence in the Asia-Pacific

In a bid to check Chinese encroachment in countries in Asia, the U.S. Congress is set to pass a landmark defense authorization bill for 2019. The bill also seeks to press the Pentagon to take a tough stand in strengthening Taiwan’s capabilities to counter invasion from China. The Asian giant has for long claimed the democratic state as one of its provinces — a tactic used by the country on other nations around it to emphasize its dominance.

This apart, the United States plans to restrain China by permanently banning it from any naval exercises in the Pacific Rim. This has been done to force China to stop its military exercises in South China Sea, which again the country claims as its sovereign territory. China continues to claim the waters as theirs, despite a ruling in 2016 by an international tribunal, which declared such claims as baseless and having no legal standing.

4 Best Choices

With escalating international tensions and Pompeo’s vow to demolish the ISIS, defense contractors with significant exposure to the Middle East are poised to gain immensely. Also, America’s resolve to thwart the Chinese presence in the Pacific region is likely to boost the already humungous defense budget of the United States.

In this context, we have selected four defense stocks that are expected to gain from these factors. These four stocks carry a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC - Free Report) is a provider of defense and surveillance products. The company manufactures systems used for cyber, command, control, communications and computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance purposes.

The company is based out of Falls Church, VA and sports a Zacks Rank #1. The expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 25.05%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved 3.6% over the past 60 days.

Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc. is the manufacturer and seller of aerospace and defense products and systems.

The company is based out of El Segundo, CA and has a Zacks Rank #1. The expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 13.87%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved 0.1% over the past 60 days.

Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT - Free Report) is the operator of a defense and aerospace company. The company is involved in research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of technology systems and products used in defense and space missions.

The company is based out of Bethesda, MD and has a Zacks Rank #2. The expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 20.89%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved 0.8% over the past 60 days.

L3 Technologies, Inc.  is a provider of aerospace systems, communication, electronic, and sensor systems for military purposes as well as homeland security.

The company is based out of New York and has a Zacks Rank #2. The expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 13.87%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved 0.1% over the past 60 days.

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