Investment Safe Havens Post Supreme Court Ruling on Trump Tariffs
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 01 2026
0mins
Source: seekingalpha
- Defense Sector Outlook: Analyst Julia Ostian views the defense sector as a structural safe haven for 2026, suggesting Northrop Grumman (NOC) and RTX Corp. (RTX) as attractive alternatives to Lockheed Martin (LMT), which has rallied 40%, reflecting concerns over military buildup in the Middle East.
- Infrastructure Investment Opportunities: Leo Nelissen emphasizes that the tariff policies of the Trump administration aim to bolster the U.S. industrial base, recommending Class I railroads like Union Pacific (UNP) and CSX Corp. (CSX), along with Eaton (ETN) and Quanta Services (PWR), which are crucial for grid and infrastructure modernization.
- Gold and Software Investments: Victor Dergunov is considering increasing gold positions while rotating back into undervalued high-quality software, particularly in cybersecurity, indicating a strategy to navigate market volatility, while also closely monitoring Bitcoin (BTC-USD) prices for potential recovery.
- Brazilian Market Selection: Multiplo Invest highlights that its recommended stock portfolio rose 24.9% in 2025, and after adjustments for 2026, it included Brazilian stocks, viewing Itaú (ITUB) as a safe investment immune to tariff risks, reflecting confidence in the Latin American market's stability.
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Analyst Views on RTX
Wall Street analysts forecast RTX stock price to fall
14 Analyst Rating
9 Buy
5 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 196.420
Low
168.00
Averages
195.77
High
215.00
Current: 196.420
Low
168.00
Averages
195.77
High
215.00
About RTX
RTX Corporation is an aerospace and defense company, which provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military, and government customers worldwide. The Company operates through three segments: Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon. Collins Aerospace segment provides technologically advanced aerospace and defense products and aftermarket service solutions for civil and military aircraft manufacturers, commercial airlines, and regional, business and general aviation, as well as for defense and commercial space operations. The Pratt & Whitney segment supplies aircraft engines for commercial, military, business jet, and general aviation customers. The Raytheon segment provides defensive and offensive threat detection, tracking and mitigation capabilities for the United States and foreign government and commercial customers. The Raytheon designs, develops, and provides advanced capabilities in integrated air and missile defense, smart weapons, missiles and others.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Project Completion Timeline: The work is expected to be completed by April 2027, demonstrating the company's ongoing commitment to long-term defense projects, which could positively impact future revenue streams.
- Budget Funding Allocation: The FY25 and FY26 Navy budget funds will be obligated at the time of award, with approximately $32.3 million set to expire by the end of FY26, highlighting the importance of effective fund management.
- Stock Price Reaction: RTX's stock traded slightly higher at $195.96 in after-hours trading, reflecting a positive market response to the contract, which may enhance investor confidence in the company.
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- Palantir Revenue Surge: Palantir reported $1.4 billion in revenue for Q4, a 70% increase year-over-year, with U.S. government revenue reaching $570 million, up 66%, highlighting its strong performance and demand in military data analytics.
- AeroVironment Product Launch: AeroVironment's recent introduction of the Mayhem 10 unmanned system, capable of 62 miles range and 10-pound payload, sets a new standard for operational versatility and survivability on the modern battlefield, likely enhancing its competitive edge.
- ETF Investment Opportunity: The Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF, with $8.3 billion in assets and an expense ratio of 0.58%, offers investors a convenient way to capitalize on rising defense spending while ensuring diversification through its market-cap-weighted structure that limits exposure to any single stock.
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See More
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- Focus on Defense Stocks: Jay Woods highlighted that the three largest components of the iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA)—GE, RTX, and Boeing—are set to report earnings, with ITA climbing over 7% in 2026, on track for its sixth consecutive profitable year, showcasing the strength of the defense sector.
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- Significant Contract Value: Raytheon Missiles and Defense has secured a $213.4 million contract modification, covering installation, integration, testing, maintenance, and upgrades for Zumwalt-class Navy combat systems, indicating strong demand in the defense sector.
- Project Completion Timeline: The work is expected to be completed by April 2027, demonstrating the company's ongoing commitment to long-term defense projects, which could positively impact future revenue streams.
- Budget Funding Allocation: The FY25 and FY26 Navy budget funds will be obligated at the time of award, with approximately $32.3 million set to expire by the end of FY26, highlighting the importance of effective fund management.
- Stock Price Reaction: RTX's stock traded slightly higher at $195.96 in after-hours trading, reflecting a positive market response to the contract, which may enhance investor confidence in the company.
See More
U.S. Defense Budget Sees Major Increase Amid Iran War
- Defense Budget Surge: The Trump administration has requested $200 billion from Congress for the Iran war, alongside plans to increase the 2027 military budget from $1 trillion to $1.5 trillion, which is expected to significantly boost investment interest in the defense sector.
- Palantir's Revenue Growth: Palantir Technologies reported fourth-quarter revenue of $1.4 billion, a 70% increase year-over-year, with U.S. government revenue reaching $570 million, up 66%, highlighting strong demand and market position in military data analytics.
- AeroVironment's New Product Launch: AeroVironment's recently announced Mayhem 10 unmanned system boasts a range of 62 miles and a 10-pound payload, with the CEO stating it sets a new standard for operational versatility and survivability on the modern battlefield, contributing to a 143% revenue increase to $408 million in Q3 of fiscal 2026.
- ETF Investment Opportunity: The Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF tracks the Spade Defense Index with $8.3 billion in assets under management and an expense ratio of 0.58%, providing investors with a convenient way to capitalize on rising defense spending while ensuring portfolio diversification.
See More
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- Increased Defense Budget: The Trump administration's request for $200 billion to finance the war in Iran, alongside a proposed increase of the military budget from $1 trillion to $1.5 trillion by 2027, is expected to significantly boost demand for defense contractors.
- Palantir Revenue Surge: Palantir reported $1.4 billion in revenue for Q4, a 70% increase year-over-year, with U.S. government revenue reaching $570 million, up 66%, highlighting its strong performance and demand in military data analytics.
- AeroVironment Product Launch: AeroVironment's recent introduction of the Mayhem 10 unmanned system, capable of 62 miles range and 10-pound payload, sets a new standard for operational versatility and survivability on the modern battlefield, likely enhancing its competitive edge.
- ETF Investment Opportunity: The Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF, with $8.3 billion in assets and an expense ratio of 0.58%, offers investors a convenient way to capitalize on rising defense spending while ensuring diversification through its market-cap-weighted structure that limits exposure to any single stock.
See More
Apple CEO Transition and Market Updates
- Apple CEO Transition: Tim Cook will step down as CEO of Apple on September 1, with John Ternus taking over; under Cook's leadership since August 2011, Apple's stock has surged approximately 2000%, indicating strong growth during his tenure.
- Market Performance: Apple's stock has risen 38% over the past year, although it remains relatively flat in after-hours trading, reflecting a mix of market anticipation and uncertainty regarding the new CEO's impact.
- Aviation Industry Challenges: Alaska Air CEO Ben Minicucci will discuss the impact of high jet fuel prices on the airline industry in an interview tomorrow; despite an 18% stock increase in April, shares are down 13% year-to-date, highlighting ongoing industry pressures.
- Defense Company Dynamics: Northrop Grumman and RTX have seen flat stock performance over the past three months, but Northrop's stock has dropped 9% since the onset of the Iran conflict, while RTX is down 3%, illustrating the geopolitical effects on the defense sector.
See More
Investors Eye Upcoming Earnings Reports as Market Catalysts
- Positive Bank Performance: Bank stocks kicked off earnings season last week, with the State Street SPDR S&P Bank ETF (KBE) gaining over 2% and marking its fifth consecutive winning week, indicating strong market leadership and potentially boosting investor confidence.
- Focus on Defense Stocks: Jay Woods highlighted that the three largest components of the iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA)—GE, RTX, and Boeing—are set to report earnings, with ITA climbing over 7% in 2026, on track for its sixth consecutive profitable year, showcasing the strength of the defense sector.
- ServiceNow Recovery Potential: ServiceNow shares have tumbled more than 35% in 2026, making it one of the worst performers in the S&P 500, but analysts believe the sell-off is overdone, with an average price target suggesting over 72% upside, making it a stock to watch.
- UnitedHealth Stock Analysis: UnitedHealth's stock has fallen over 29% in the past year, yet it is currently trading above its 200-day moving average; Woods noted that if it holds above $324 per share, it could see upside towards $353.75, while downside risks could see it drop to $300 or $287.
See More
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- Honeywell Business Sale: Honeywell sells its Productivity Solutions and Services (PSS) business to Brady Corporation for $1.4 billion in cash, a strategic move to divest cyclical, slower-growing, lower-margin operations, thereby enhancing the overall quality of its portfolio.
- Market Reaction Stable: Despite a 5% rise in oil prices due to uncertainty over commercial shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, the market's decline was less severe than feared, as Treasury yields remained relatively unchanged, indicating a stable investor sentiment.
- Eli Lilly Acquisition Moves: Eli Lilly acquires clinical-stage biotech firm Kelonia Therapeutics for $3.25 billion in cash, aiming to bolster its cancer treatment pipeline, with the deal potentially worth up to $7 billion, showcasing the company's aggressive expansion strategy in oncology.
- Active IPO Market: In spite of uncertainties from the Iran conflict, Jersey Mike's confidentially files for an IPO with a valuation of approximately $8 billion, reflecting ongoing interest in new public offerings and further driving growth in investment banking activities.
See More
