Defense Stocks Hit New Highs Amid Energy Sector Rally
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 20 2026
0mins
Source: CNBC
- Defense Stocks Surge: GE Aerospace, Huntington Ingalls, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and RTX have all reached new all-time highs, with Lockheed Martin rising 14% in the past month, reflecting strong market confidence in increased defense spending.
- Energy Sector Rally: Energy stocks like APA Corp, Baker Hughes, and ConocoPhillips have hit new highs, with Baker Hughes up 37% in 2026, indicating optimistic expectations for a recovery in energy demand.
- Microsoft Insider Buying: Microsoft director John Stanton purchased 5,000 shares for about $2 million, marking one of the largest insider buys in nearly 20 years, despite the stock being down 28% since July 31, suggesting insider confidence in a future rebound.
- Economic Data Expectations: The U.S. GDP is expected to grow by 2.5% in the fourth quarter, with personal income data also due, as economists forecast a 0.2% increase, which could influence market sentiment and lead to stock market volatility.
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Analyst Views on GE
Wall Street analysts forecast GE stock price to rise
9 Analyst Rating
8 Buy
0 Hold
1 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 334.140
Low
275.00
Averages
345.67
High
386.00
Current: 334.140
Low
275.00
Averages
345.67
High
386.00
About GE
General Electric Company, doing business as GE Aerospace, is a global aerospace propulsion, services, and systems company. The Company has an installed base of approximately 45,000 commercial and 25,000 military aircraft engines. The Company operates through two segments: Commercial Engines & Services and Defense & Propulsion Technologies. The Commercial Engines & Services segment designs, develops, manufactures and services jet engines for commercial airframes, as well as business aviation and aeroderivative applications. Its services include maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of engines and the sale of spare parts and offers services under a variety of arrangements. The Defense & Propulsion Technologies segment provides defense engines and critical aircraft systems and consists of its Defense & Systems and Propulsion & Additive Technologies businesses. Its portfolio of brands includes Avio Aero, Unison, Dowty Propellers and Colibrium Additive.
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.
Nuclear Energy Market Recovery and Investment Opportunities
- Market Recovery: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) forecasts that global nuclear capacity could expand by up to 2.6 times from 2024 to 2050, reflecting a growing demand for reliable and efficient power, which may present a favorable opportunity for investors.
- NuScale Power Development: NuScale Power focuses on small modular reactors (SMRs), with its 50 MWe and 77 MWe designs receiving Standard Design Approvals from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 2023 and 2025, respectively, which is expected to drive future revenue growth.
- GE Vernova Diversification: GE Vernova's Power and Electrification segments benefited from rapid expansion in the cloud and data center markets over the past year, with revenue and adjusted EBITDA projected to grow at CAGRs of 15% and 54% from 2025 to 2028.
- Investment Outlook: Despite NuScale's high market valuation, analysts expect its annual revenue to triple from $88 million in 2026 to $287 million in 2028, indicating significant future growth potential, making it a compelling stock to consider buying now.
See More
NuScale and GE Vernova's Nuclear Market Prospects
- Nuclear Market Recovery: Following the Fukushima disaster in 2011, the nuclear energy market faced a decade-long decline; however, new decarbonization initiatives and safer reactor technologies are driving a recovery, with global nuclear capacity expected to expand by up to 2.6 times by 2050, indicating strong growth potential.
- NuScale's Technological Edge: NuScale's small modular reactors (SMRs) are designed to be 65 feet high and 9 feet wide, allowing for on-site assembly that significantly reduces construction time and costs for nuclear power plants, with its 50 MWe and 77 MWe designs receiving Standard Design Approvals from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
- GE Vernova's Diversified Strategy: As the energy division of GE, GE Vernova derived over half of its 2025 orders from its Power segment, which includes gas turbines and nuclear services, with analysts projecting revenue and adjusted EBITDA growth rates of 15% and 54% respectively from 2025 to 2028, reflecting robust market demand.
- Investment Outlook: Despite NuScale's market cap of $4 billion and a sales multiple of 45 times, analysts expect its annual revenue to triple from $88 million in 2026 to $287 million in 2028, highlighting significant future growth potential, suggesting investors consider gradually increasing their holdings in the stock now.
See More
Market Watch: Oil Price Surge and Corporate Developments
- Oil Price Surge: Global benchmark Brent crude prices have surged 8% to over $84 per barrel, reaching a new 52-week high, driven by fears of prolonged supply disruptions that could hinder global economic recovery.
- Apple Price Target Raised: Barclays raised its price target on Apple from $239 to $248, adjusting estimates based on expectations for the upcoming foldable and Pro models, although the market's muted response suggests a need to monitor its performance among megacaps.
- MongoDB Shares Plummet: MongoDB shares fell 27% after its flagship database product Atlas reported a slower-than-expected growth rate of 29% in Q4, coupled with disappointing revenue guidance for fiscal 2027, indicating increased competitive pressures.
- Target Shares Rise: Target's stock rose over 4% in premarket trading after the retailer reported better-than-expected earnings for the holiday quarter, with new CEO indicating positive year-over-year sales in February, marking a significant milestone in the company's growth trajectory.
See More
Wall Street Analysts Adjust GE Stock Ratings
- Analyst Rating Changes: Top Wall Street analysts have adjusted their outlook on General Electric (GE) stock, indicating a shift in market sentiment, although specific rating changes were not detailed in the report.
- Market Reaction Insight: While specific upgrades or downgrades were not provided, the change in analysts' perspectives could influence investor decisions, particularly among those considering purchasing GE stock.
- Source of Information: This information is provided by Benzinga, highlighting the significance of analyst ratings in market dynamics, and investors should pay attention to these changes to make informed investment choices.
- Overall Market Trends: Changes in analyst ratings often signal market expectations regarding a company's future performance, thus investors should closely monitor these updates to seize potential investment opportunities.
See More
Palantir Shares Increase Amid Iran Conflict—But the True Narrative is Different
Stock Performance: Palantir Technologies (PLTR) saw a stock increase of over 5% due to military actions by the U.S. and Israel against Iran, highlighting the volatility in response to geopolitical events.
Long-term Investment Perspective: Analysts suggest that while short-term fluctuations may be influenced by news, long-term investors should focus on the company's underlying business fundamentals rather than headline-driven volatility.
Partnership Announcement: Palantir has entered a partnership with GE Aerospace for a contract with the U.S. Department of Defense, which could enhance its growth prospects and credibility in both public and private sectors.
Analyst Sentiment: Recent upgrades from analysts indicate a positive outlook for PLTR stock, with expectations of significant revenue growth, particularly in U.S. commercial sectors, despite concerns about reliance on government contracts.
See More
PMI Increases in February, Signifying Second Consecutive Month of Growth in U.S. Manufacturing
- U.S. Manufacturing Growth: The U.S. manufacturing sector reported a second consecutive month of growth, providing positive news for investors.
- Investor Sentiment: This growth in manufacturing is likely to boost investor confidence in the economy.
See More
Nuclear Energy Market Recovery and Investment Opportunities
- Market Recovery: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) forecasts that global nuclear capacity could expand by up to 2.6 times from 2024 to 2050, reflecting a growing demand for reliable and efficient power, which may present a favorable opportunity for investors.
- NuScale Power Development: NuScale Power focuses on small modular reactors (SMRs), with its 50 MWe and 77 MWe designs receiving Standard Design Approvals from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 2023 and 2025, respectively, which is expected to drive future revenue growth.
- GE Vernova Diversification: GE Vernova's Power and Electrification segments benefited from rapid expansion in the cloud and data center markets over the past year, with revenue and adjusted EBITDA projected to grow at CAGRs of 15% and 54% from 2025 to 2028.
- Investment Outlook: Despite NuScale's high market valuation, analysts expect its annual revenue to triple from $88 million in 2026 to $287 million in 2028, indicating significant future growth potential, making it a compelling stock to consider buying now.
See More
NuScale and GE Vernova's Nuclear Market Prospects
- Nuclear Market Recovery: Following the Fukushima disaster in 2011, the nuclear energy market faced a decade-long decline; however, new decarbonization initiatives and safer reactor technologies are driving a recovery, with global nuclear capacity expected to expand by up to 2.6 times by 2050, indicating strong growth potential.
- NuScale's Technological Edge: NuScale's small modular reactors (SMRs) are designed to be 65 feet high and 9 feet wide, allowing for on-site assembly that significantly reduces construction time and costs for nuclear power plants, with its 50 MWe and 77 MWe designs receiving Standard Design Approvals from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
- GE Vernova's Diversified Strategy: As the energy division of GE, GE Vernova derived over half of its 2025 orders from its Power segment, which includes gas turbines and nuclear services, with analysts projecting revenue and adjusted EBITDA growth rates of 15% and 54% respectively from 2025 to 2028, reflecting robust market demand.
- Investment Outlook: Despite NuScale's market cap of $4 billion and a sales multiple of 45 times, analysts expect its annual revenue to triple from $88 million in 2026 to $287 million in 2028, highlighting significant future growth potential, suggesting investors consider gradually increasing their holdings in the stock now.
See More
Market Watch: Oil Price Surge and Corporate Developments
- Oil Price Surge: Global benchmark Brent crude prices have surged 8% to over $84 per barrel, reaching a new 52-week high, driven by fears of prolonged supply disruptions that could hinder global economic recovery.
- Apple Price Target Raised: Barclays raised its price target on Apple from $239 to $248, adjusting estimates based on expectations for the upcoming foldable and Pro models, although the market's muted response suggests a need to monitor its performance among megacaps.
- MongoDB Shares Plummet: MongoDB shares fell 27% after its flagship database product Atlas reported a slower-than-expected growth rate of 29% in Q4, coupled with disappointing revenue guidance for fiscal 2027, indicating increased competitive pressures.
- Target Shares Rise: Target's stock rose over 4% in premarket trading after the retailer reported better-than-expected earnings for the holiday quarter, with new CEO indicating positive year-over-year sales in February, marking a significant milestone in the company's growth trajectory.
See More
Wall Street Analysts Adjust GE Stock Ratings
- Analyst Rating Changes: Top Wall Street analysts have adjusted their outlook on General Electric (GE) stock, indicating a shift in market sentiment, although specific rating changes were not detailed in the report.
- Market Reaction Insight: While specific upgrades or downgrades were not provided, the change in analysts' perspectives could influence investor decisions, particularly among those considering purchasing GE stock.
- Source of Information: This information is provided by Benzinga, highlighting the significance of analyst ratings in market dynamics, and investors should pay attention to these changes to make informed investment choices.
- Overall Market Trends: Changes in analyst ratings often signal market expectations regarding a company's future performance, thus investors should closely monitor these updates to seize potential investment opportunities.
See More
Palantir Shares Increase Amid Iran Conflict—But the True Narrative is Different
Stock Performance: Palantir Technologies (PLTR) saw a stock increase of over 5% due to military actions by the U.S. and Israel against Iran, highlighting the volatility in response to geopolitical events.
Long-term Investment Perspective: Analysts suggest that while short-term fluctuations may be influenced by news, long-term investors should focus on the company's underlying business fundamentals rather than headline-driven volatility.
Partnership Announcement: Palantir has entered a partnership with GE Aerospace for a contract with the U.S. Department of Defense, which could enhance its growth prospects and credibility in both public and private sectors.
Analyst Sentiment: Recent upgrades from analysts indicate a positive outlook for PLTR stock, with expectations of significant revenue growth, particularly in U.S. commercial sectors, despite concerns about reliance on government contracts.
See More
PMI Increases in February, Signifying Second Consecutive Month of Growth in U.S. Manufacturing
- U.S. Manufacturing Growth: The U.S. manufacturing sector reported a second consecutive month of growth, providing positive news for investors.
- Investor Sentiment: This growth in manufacturing is likely to boost investor confidence in the economy.
See More
