Record Defense Backlogs Signal Sustained Growth for Aerospace and Defense ETFs

Industry
โดย Zacks Investment Research·Read original
Summary · why it matters

Defense contractors are reporting historic order backlogs, signaling strong future revenue and making a compelling case for exchange-traded funds focused on the sector. Lockheed Martin's first-quarter 2026 backlog rose 7.7% to $186.4 billion, RTX's total backlog hit a record $271 billion with its defense portion up 18.5% to $109 billion, BAE Systems' backlog reached approximately $110.4 billion, up 7.5%, and Boeing's backlog surged 39% to $85.8 billion. GE Aerospace saw orders jump 67% year over year to $6.2 billion. Three ETFs highlighted for exposure are the iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF, up 30.6% over the past year, the Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF, up 28.1%, and the iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF, up 18.7%.

Impact on stocks 5

Defense & Geopolitical Fragmentation▲ · 5 stocks
Lockheed Martin Corporation
LMT
▲ PositiveDemandrelevance

Lockheed Martin's backlog rose 7.7% to $186.4 billion, a record high indicating sustained demand.

RTX Corporation
RTX
▲ PositiveDemandrelevance

RTX's total backlog hit a record $271 billion with defense portion up 18.5% to $109 billion.

BAE Systems plc
BA
▲ PositiveDemandrelevance

BAE Systems' backlog reached approximately $110.4 billion, up 7.5%, signaling strong demand.

The Boeing Company
BA
▲ PositiveDemandrelevance

Boeing's backlog surged 39% to $85.8 billion, indicating strong demand for its products.

GE Aerospace
GE
▲ PositiveDemandrelevance

GE Aerospace saw orders jump 67% year over year to $6.2 billion, reflecting robust demand.

Theme Impact 4

Related news

2impact 4

Trump Signs Russia-Iran Sanctions Law, Authorizing Tariffs of Up to 100%

US President Donald Trump signed into law a Russia sanctions bill on Friday, September 18. The law grants authority to expand sanctions, impose customs duties and various prohibitions against Russia, while renewing existing sanctions on Iran. The law, named the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, imposes sanctions on Russian officials, Russian banks and vessels used to transport energy from Russia, and gives Trump the authority to levy tariffs of up to 100% on goods from the five countries that import the most oil or natural gas from Russia. It also extends the Iran Sanctions Act for another five years to maintain sanctions targeting Iran's energy and weapons sectors. The US House of Representatives passed the bill on Wednesday, September 16, after the Senate approved it on August 7. The law is a major achievement carrying on the legacy of Lindsey Graham, the former senator who championed the bill and died in July after a sudden illness. However, the bill faced more division in the House than in the Senate, with three Democratic members of the House saying in a joint statement recently that the law may do more harm than good because it greatly increases Trump's power to set tariffs but does not compel him to impose sanctions on Russia.
Energy Transition & Power Demand Defense & Geopolitical Fragmentation
InfoQuest·2hRead more →
2impact 4

Trump and Denmark Reach Security Agreement Over Greenland

US President Trump said on the 18th that he had reached an agreement with Denmark granting the United States "permanent control" over the security of Greenland, a Danish autonomous territory. Trump announced the agreement on social media, describing it as addressing "all of the many concerns" held by the United States and saying it would cost the United States "nothing at all." According to US government officials, the new agreement explicitly prohibits non-NATO countries from establishing military bases in Greenland and restricts investment in the island that is viewed as a threat to the United States. The leaders of Denmark and Greenland are expected to sign the agreement document at next week's UN General Assembly. Prime Minister Frederiksen said in a statement that it "strengthens our common security in the Arctic and North Atlantic region and is excellent for NATO and Europe as well."
Defense & Geopolitical Fragmentation ▲
Bloomberg·3hRead more →
▲impact 4

Kobsak says US, Denmark and Greenland reach permanent security agreement

The United States, Denmark and Greenland have reached a landmark agreement that opens the way for the US to have a long-term security role in Greenland. Kobsak Pootrakool, Senior Executive Vice President of Bangkok Bank, or BBL, posted on Facebook under the name Kobsak Pootrakool, stating that Denmark and Greenland have granted the US the rights to use Greenland as the US wants, to serve as a key strategic point for building the Golden Dome and for controlling shipping through the emerging Arctic route. President Trump announced that this agreement gives the US permanent control over security and all other necessary matters in Greenland, at no cost to the US, and that countries hostile to the US will not be able to establish military bases, station troops, or invest in sensitive businesses in Greenland without explicit written approval from the US. Kobsak stated that this agreement is eternal, with no end date, and that the US will immediately begin the process of establishing a large military force in suitable areas of Greenland. He also viewed this as significant progress within the framework of the Donroe Doctrine, under which the US seeks to control key points around its neighborhood in North and South America, following Panama, Venezuela, Colombia and Greenland, with Cuba and Brazil remaining, awaiting the October 4 election.
BBL.BK
Defense & Geopolitical Fragmentation ▲
Prachachat·4hRead more →
© 2026 MarketDXNews