10 defense stocks to watch

Ready to invest in the industrials industry? Compare potential investments and learn how to buy defense stocks in just a few steps.

Considering investing in defense stocks? While the best defense stocks depend on your portfolio and investment goals, we've identified some defense stocks that are worth keeping an eye on in the industrials sector. Keep reading to learn more about defense stocks and how to start investing.

We round up a selection of stocks in or related to the industrials industry, weighting the list more heavily towards popular mid- and large-cap stocks.

Best stock 1-year return Market cap Exchange Volume Buy on Questrade
Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT.US) 4.47% $117.8 billion (USD) NYSE 1,125,122 Buy now
General Dynamics Corporation (GD.US) 21.62% $94.7 billion (USD) NYSE 1,029,029 Buy now
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC.US) 1.53% $74.1 billion (USD) NYSE 1,122,199 Buy now
RTX Corporation (RTX.US) 24.70% $249.9 billion (USD) NYSE 6,350,531 Buy now
CAE (CAE.US) -4.57% $8.1 billion (USD) NYSE 668,900 Buy now
L3Harris Technologies (LHX.US) 13.83% $56.7 billion (USD) NYSE 2,553,812 Buy now
Bombardier Inc Series B (BBD-B.TO) 181.80% $30.5 billion (CAD) Toronto Stock Exchange 204,536 Buy now
Magellan Aerospace Corporation (MAL.TO) 76.63% $1.9 billion (CAD) Toronto Stock Exchange 39,275 Buy now
MDA (MDA.TO) 85.59% $8.2 billion (CAD) Toronto Stock Exchange 2,000,676 Buy now
Kraken Robotics (PNG.V) 174.37% $2.3 billion (CAD) TSX Venture Exchange 492,962 Buy now
The values in this table are accurate as of the market close on June 21, 2026, or the most recent data available. Volume refers to the number of shares traded during the day.

What to look for when investing in defense stock

The industrials industry is affected by a range of complex factors such as trade policies, regulations, and fluctuating supply and demand. So when considering defense stocks to buy, it's important that you have access to vital information about a company's financial health, leadership team, and market positioning.

Also keep in mind that, while volatility can be ideal for day traders, long-term investors will want to look for stocks to offer steadier gains over time.

How to invest in defense stock

  1. Research the industrials industry. Before investing, learn about the defense stock sector, its trends and the companies within it. Look at each company's financial health, potential for growth and past performance to identify stocks that fit your investment goals.
  2. Choose a stock trading platform. Compare trading fees, access to trading tools and user interface options. We've identified reliable trading platforms to help narrow down your options below or check out the best stock trading apps in Canada to find one that suits your needs.
  3. Open and fund your account. Sign up with your personal details and link a bank account or funding method to deposit money before you start trading.
  4. Select the defense stock(s) to buy. Search by company name or ticker symbol, like LMT or GD. Compare key metrics such as market cap, price history and earnings per share to pick the best stock for your strategy.
  5. Buy the stock and monitor performance. Place your order to buy the stock and track its performance over time. Consider setting alerts, signing up for industry newsletters or using platform research tools to stay up to date on market changes.

Our top picks for where to buy defense stocks

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Are defense stocks a good investment?

While it's possible to turn a profit investing in defense stocks, keep in mind that—like any investment—defense stocks are not immune to risk. These stocks are subject to fluctuating conditions both in the market and in the industrials industry, so carefully vet your picks before you invest.

What are the best defense stocks?

A lot of factors go into picking the best defense stocks. Stock performance can be impacted by factors like market conditions, company decisions and global events. Plus, what may be a strong defense stock investment for one person might not be suitable for another.

That said, we rounded up this list of popular defense stocks in or related to the industrials industry to help narrow down your options:

Keep in mind that this is not a "best" list or a recommendation. It highlights some defense stocks for informational purposes only and does not indicate past or future performance or investment advice. We do not guarantee any investment performance.

We've outlined detailed company and stock performance details for each defense stock below. Keep reading to decide if any of these companies are the right investment for you.


Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT)

Lockheed Martin Corporation, an aerospace and defense company, engages in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of technology systems, products, and services in the United States, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Aeronautics; Missiles and Fire Control (MFC); Rotary and Mission Systems (RMS); and Space.

The Aeronautics segment offers combat and air mobility aircraft, unmanned air vehicles, and related technologies.

Closing stock price $493.60
Market Capitalization $117.8 billion
Gross profit (TTM) $7.4 billion
Profit margin 6.38%
Revenue (TTM) $75.1 billion
Earnings per share (TTM) $20.63
52-week stock price range $399.32 – $687.50
All dollar amounts in this table are in USD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on June 21, 2026.

General Dynamics Corporation (GD)

General Dynamics Corporation operates as an aerospace and defense company worldwide. It operates through four segments: Aerospace, Marine Systems, Combat Systems, and Technologies.

The Aerospace segment produces and sells business jets; and offers aircraft maintenance and repair, management, aircraft-on-ground support, customer support and custom completion services, modifications, upgrades, and lifecycle sustainment support services.

Closing stock price $343.36
Market Capitalization $94.7 billion
Gross profit (TTM) $8.2 billion
Profit margin 8.07%
Revenue (TTM) $53.8 billion
Earnings per share (TTM) $16.09
52-week stock price range $273.21 – $367.99
All dollar amounts in this table are in USD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on June 21, 2026.

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC)

Northrop Grumman Corporation operates as an aerospace and defense technology company in the United States, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Aeronautics Systems, Defense Systems, Mission Systems and Space Systems.

The Aeronautics Systems segment designs, develops, produces, integrates, sustains, and modernizes aircraft systems.

Closing stock price $507.33
Market Capitalization $74.1 billion
Gross profit (TTM) $8.7 billion
Profit margin 10.80%
Revenue (TTM) $42.4 billion
Earnings per share (TTM) $31.92
52-week stock price range $473.85 – $770.61
All dollar amounts in this table are in USD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on June 21, 2026.

RTX Corporation (RTX)

RTX Corporation, an aerospace and defense company, provides systems and services for commercial, military, and government customers worldwide. It operates through three segments: Collins Aerospace (Collins), Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon.

The Collins segment offers aerospace and defense products, and aftermarket services for civil and military aircraft manufacturers and commercial airlines, as well as regional, business, and general aviation, defense, and commercial space operations.

Closing stock price $181.83
Market Capitalization $249.9 billion
Gross profit (TTM) $18.3 billion
Profit margin 8.03%
Revenue (TTM) $90.4 billion
Earnings per share (TTM) $5.32
52-week stock price range $138.27 – $213.61
All dollar amounts in this table are in USD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on June 21, 2026.

CAE (CAE)

CAE Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides training, simulation, and critical operation solutions in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, the Oceania, Africa, and rest of the Americas. The company operates through two segments, Civil Aviation; and Defense and Security.

The Civil Aviation segment offers training solutions for flight, cabin, maintenance, ground personnel, and air traffic controllers in commercial, business, and helicopter aviation; a range of flight simulation training devices; and ab initio pilot training and crew sourcing services, as well as airline operations digital solutions.

Closing stock price $25.07
Market Capitalization $8.1 billion
Gross profit (TTM) $1.4 billion
Profit margin 6.37%
Revenue (TTM) $4.9 billion
Earnings per share (TTM) $0.69
52-week stock price range $22.76 – $34.24
All dollar amounts in this table are in USD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on June 17, 2026.

L3Harris Technologies (LHX)

L3Harris Technologies, Inc. provides mission-critical solutions for government and commercial customers worldwide. It operates through three segments: Space & Mission Systems (SMS), Communications & Spectrum Dominance (CSD), and Missile Solutions (MSL).

The SMS segment integrates satellite and payload capabilities, including missile warning and defense, with maritime, air special missions, and other global defense and civil government programs.

Closing stock price $285.83
Market Capitalization $56.7 billion
Gross profit (TTM) $3.9 billion
Profit margin 10.37%
Revenue (TTM) $12.9 billion
Earnings per share (TTM) $9.09
52-week stock price range $239.95 – $376.39
All dollar amounts in this table are in USD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on June 21, 2026.

Bombardier Inc Series B (BBD-B)

Bombardier Inc. engages in the design, manufacture, and sale of business aircraft and aircraft structural components worldwide. It also provides various services, such as parts, service centers, smart services, training, and technical publications.

The company serves multinational corporations, charter and fractional ownership providers, governments, and private individuals.

Closing stock price C$315.05
Market Capitalization C$30.5 billion
Gross profit (TTM) C$1.9 billion
Profit margin 9.73%
Revenue (TTM) C$9.6 billion
Earnings per share (TTM) C$13.28
52-week stock price range C$105.51 – C$329.16
All dollar amounts in this table are in CAD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on June 21, 2026.

Magellan Aerospace Corporation (MAL)

Magellan Aerospace Corporation engineers and manufactures aeroengine and aerostructure components for aerospace markets in Canada, the United States, and Europe. The company offers aero engine products, such as laser welded honeycomb and filament wound tubes, frames, compressor components, bypass ducts, hot section components, and aeroengine and helicopter drive shafts, as well as other flight safety critical machined components, including discs, seals, and spacers; and aerostructures comprising landing gear systems, wing ribs, spars and skins, bulkheads and fuselage components, tailcone assemblies, composite wing and fairing structures, horizontal and vertical stabilizers, plug and nozzle, exhaust systems, crown modules, and vane boxes and transition ducts.

It also designs, engineers, and manufactures assemblies and components for aerospace markets, governments, space markets, and specialty products; wire strike protection systems for helicopter safety; space solutions, including small satellite bus platforms and satellite subsystem equipment, as well as offers services for satellite assembly, integration, and testing; and aluminum and magnesium alloy sand castings, such as engine mounted accessory gearbox housings, helicopter power transmission housings, auxiliary power unit inlet and gearbox housings, engine front inlet and intermediate cases, engine front frames and fan cases, pump and accessory drive housings, and environmental control housings.

Closing stock price C$32.49
Market Capitalization C$1.9 billion
Gross profit (TTM) C$151.7 million
Profit margin 4.22%
Revenue (TTM) C$1.1 billion
Earnings per share (TTM) C$0.79
52-week stock price range C$14.91 – C$34.67
All dollar amounts in this table are in CAD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on June 18, 2026.

MDA (MDA)

MDA Space Ltd. provides space technology solutions and services in Canada, the United States, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and internationally. It offers satellite communications solutions, such as space-based broadband Internet, direct-to-device satellite communication, and IoT connectivity; MDA AURORA, a software-defined digital satellite product line; and autonomous robotics systems and services used to operate in space and on the surfaces of the Moon and Mars.

The company also provides robotic systems, robotic interfaces, tooling, robotic ground control stations, and operations services; electro-optic and light detection and ranging sensors, vision and targeting systems, guidance, navigation, and control subsystems and planetary rover locomotion subsystems; MDA SKYMAKER, a suite of scalable and modular space robotics; and Canadarm3, a robotics system.

Closing stock price C$59.11
Market Capitalization C$8.2 billion
Gross profit (TTM) C$2.1 billion
Profit margin 2.24%
Revenue (TTM) C$2.1 billion
Earnings per share (TTM) C$0.80
52-week stock price range C$20.85 – C$67.90
All dollar amounts in this table are in CAD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on June 18, 2026.

Kraken Robotics (PNG)

Kraken Robotics Inc., a marine technology company, engages in the design, manufacture, and sale of sonar and optical sensors, batteries, and underwater robotic equipment for military and commercial applications. The company operates in two segments, Products and Services.

The company offers Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS), a technology to perform imaging and bathymetric mapping; KATFISH Towed SAS, a synthetic aperture sonar towfish operates at speeds up to 10 knots providing increased area coverage rates; and SeaPower, a pressure tolerant deep-sea battery.

Closing stock price C$7.60
Market Capitalization C$2.3 billion
Gross profit (TTM) C$65.6 million
Profit margin -0.63%
Revenue (TTM) C$107.8 million
52-week stock price range C$2.73 – C$10.72
All dollar amounts in this table are in CAD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on June 18, 2026.

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Bottom line

If you're considering adding defense stocks to your portfolio, make sure you thoroughly look into any companies before investing to help mitigate risk. We've compiled a list of defense stocks to help narrow down your options. Then choose a legitimate stock trading platform to start investing. After that it comes down to monitoring the industrials industry to know when to buy, sell or hold.

Frequently asked questions about defense stocks

Sources

Check these other commodities and investment sectors

If you're thinking about diversifying your portfolio and investing in sectors beyond defense stocks, here are some others you can consider:
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