Trump Announces New Navy Battleships, HII Shares Rise
Catch up on the top industries and stocks that were impacted, or were predicted to be impacted, by the comments, actions and policies of President Donald Trump with this daily recap compiled by The Fly.TRUMP CLASS OF NAVY BATTLESHIPS:President Trump on Monday announced plans to build a new fleet of Navy battleships, anchoring what he called the Pentagon's "Golden Fleet," CBS News' Kathryn Watson. The president said he approved plans to begin constructing "two brand-new, very large, largest we've ever built, battleships." He later said he expects to build a total of 10 ships in short order, and ultimately 20 to 25. He made the announcement flanked by renderings of ships that were referred to as "Trump class." Shares of Huntington Ingallstraded up following the news.NEW YORK TIMES:President Donald Trump, in a social media, said, "The Failing New York Times, and their lies and purposeful misrepresentations, is a serious threat to the National Security of our Nation. Their Radical Left, Unhinged Behavior, writing FAKE Articles and Opinions in a never ending way, must be dealt with and stopped. THEY ARE A TRUE ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE! Thank you for you attention to this matter."ECONOMIC NUMBERS:President Donald Trump, in a social media, said, "The TARIFFS are responsible for the GREAT USA Economic Numbers JUST ANNOUNCED...AND THEY WILL ONLY GET BETTER! Also, NO INFLATION & GREAT NATIONAL SECURITY. Pray for the U.S. Supreme Court!!!"DISTILLERY CLOSURE:Bourbon maker Jim Beamis halting production at one of its distilleries in Kentucky for at least a year as the whiskey industry navigates tariffs from the Trump administration and slumping demand for a product that needs years of aging before it is ready, Associated Press' Jeffrey Collins. Jim Beam said the decision to pause bourbon making at its Clermont location in 2026 will give the company time to invest in improvements at the distillery. The bottling and warehouse at the site will remain open, along with the James B. Beam Distilling Co. visitors center and restaurant, the author notes. Other publicly traded companies in the space include Brown Forman,, Diageo, Constellation Brands, and MGP Ingredients.CVOW PROJECT:Dominion Energyreleased a statement in response to the U.S. Department of Interior's Director's Order for a 90-day suspension of work issued for the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project, saying that, "The Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project is essential for American national security and meeting Virginia's dramatically growing energy needs, the fastest growth in America. This growth is driven by the need to provide reliable power to many of America's most important war fighting installations, the world's largest warship manufacturer, and the largest concentration of data centers on the planet as well as the leading edge of the AI revolution. Stopping CVOW for any length of time will threaten grid reliability for some of the nation's most important war fighting, AI, and civilian assets. It will also lead to energy inflation and threaten thousands of jobs. CVOW is American-owned and benefits all of our Virginia customers. Our customers are paying for the project after a careful review of project costs and benefits by Virginia state regulators in 2022. These same state regulators, along with numerous federal agencies, oversee our cyber and physical security program, which is among the strongest in the energy industry. he project has been more than ten years in the works, involved close coordination with the military, and is located 27 to 44 miles offshore, so far offshore it does not raise visual impact concerns. The project's two pilot turbines have been operating for five years without causing any impacts to national security. CVOW enjoys bipartisan support and is within months of generating a massive 2,600 megawatts to support the fastest growing part of America's energy grid. This growth serves the largest concentration of critical infrastructure in the world. Virginia's All-American, All-Of-The-Above-Energy Plan requires a range of power generation assets, including natural gas, advanced nuclear, and renewables. Virginia needs every electron we can get as our demand for electricity doubles. These electrons will power the data centers that will win the AI race, support our war fighters, and build the nuclear warships needed to maintain our maritime supremacy. Virginia's grid needs addition of electrons, not subtraction."DRONE BAN:The Federal Communications Commission said on Monday it was adding China's DJI, Autel and all foreign-made drones and components to a list of companies determined to pose unacceptable risks to U.S. national security and would bar approvals of new types of drones for import or sale in the United States, Reuters' David Shepardson reports. The addition to the FCC's "Covered List" means that DJI, Autel and other foreign drone companies will not be able to obtain FCC approval to sell new models of drones or critical components in the United States, which is required, the author notes. Publicly traded companies in the space include Ondas, Red Cat, Draganfly, AeroVironment, and Unusual Machines.
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- Keel Authentication Ceremony: HII's Ingalls Shipbuilding division authenticated the keel for the future USS Philadelphia (LPD 32) today, marking the official start of construction for this Flight II San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship, reflecting the company's commitment to supporting the Navy and Marine Corps.
- Key Attendees: The ceremony featured ship sponsor Maureen Paparo and her spouse, Adm. Samuel Paparo, underscoring the deep connection of the ship to Philadelphia and showcasing the bond between local and national interests.
- Commitment to Construction: Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Blanchette stated that every weld and component reflects the skill and dedication of shipbuilders, ensuring that over 700 sailors and Marines will serve aboard, highlighting the contribution to national security.
- Future Outlook: LPD 32 is one of three Flight II ships currently under construction at Ingalls, designed to replace aging Whidbey Island-class and Harpers Ferry-class vessels, serving as a cornerstone of the Navy's 21st-century expeditionary force, supporting humanitarian aid and military missions.
- Unclear War Objectives: Trump's military action against Iran has seen its objectives shift multiple times within 48 hours, ranging from preventing nuclear weapons to regime change, raising questions about U.S. strategic intentions and potentially affecting Congressional support for the war.
- Rising U.S. Casualties: With U.S. service member deaths climbing to six, opposition from Democrats has intensified, and some Republicans are beginning to question Trump's military strategy, which could lead to increased pressure on the administration in Congress.
- Divergent Cabinet Opinions: Trump's cabinet members have differing views on the nature and goals of the war, with the Defense Secretary stating it is not a
- Accelerated Submarine Modernization: Senior U.S. naval officials warn that China is rapidly modernizing its submarine fleet, with projections indicating a growth to about 80 submarines by 2035, roughly half of which will be nuclear-powered, significantly enhancing China's sea-based nuclear deterrent capabilities.
- Escalating Strategic Threat: The anticipated Type 096 ballistic missile submarine is expected to have the capability to strike large portions of the U.S. from protected waters, thereby increasing the threat to the U.S. homeland and highlighting the intensifying undersea rivalry between the two powers.
- Increased Production Capacity: China's submarine production capacity has surged from less than one nuclear submarine per year to significantly higher levels, supported by upgraded shipbuilding infrastructure, positioning China favorably in future maritime strategies.
- Enhanced Technological Investments: Beijing is investing in seabed sensors, undersea cables, and unmanned systems to improve detection and tracking of rival submarines, complicating U.S. military operations in the western Pacific and raising intervention costs during crises.
- Mixed Market Performance: On Monday, the S&P 500 closed up 0.04%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.15%, and the Nasdaq 100 rose 0.13%, reflecting a divergence in market sentiment influenced by the ongoing war in Iran, with increased demand for defense and energy stocks.
- Surge in Oil Prices: WTI crude oil prices soared over 6% to an 8.25-month high following Iran's attack on oil tankers, which is expected to elevate inflation expectations and impact the overall economic environment and investor confidence.
- Strong Manufacturing Index: The US February ISM manufacturing index unexpectedly rose to 52.4, surpassing the market expectation of 51.5, indicating economic resilience that could influence the Federal Reserve's monetary policy direction, leading to shifts in future rate hike expectations.
- Optimistic Earnings Outlook: More than 90% of S&P 500 companies have reported earnings, with 73% exceeding expectations, and Q4 earnings growth is projected at 8.4%, providing market support despite geopolitical risks.
- Defense Stocks Surge: As the conflict in the Middle East escalates, investors are seeking safe havens, leading to a broad increase in defense company stocks on Monday, indicating strong market demand for secure investments.
- U.S.-Israel Military Operations: The U.S. and Israeli militaries launched large-scale operations against Iran this weekend, expected to last four to five weeks, which will likely require significant replenishment of armaments, further driving demand in the defense sector.
- Key Defense Contractors' Roles: Companies like RTX, Lockheed Martin, Huntington Ingalls, and Northrop Grumman play crucial roles in this conflict, producing interceptors, fighter jets, and strategic bombers to ensure the defense capabilities of U.S. forces and allies.
- Investor Focus on Future Returns: Although Northrop Grumman was not recommended as a top stock by The Motley Fool, the overall performance and future demand in the defense industry may attract increased investor interest.
- Strong Defense Stock Performance: Defense stocks surged on Monday as investors sought safe havens, with Northrop Grumman (NOC) rising 6% and Lockheed Martin (LMT) up 3.4%, reflecting increased market confidence in defense spending.
- Escalation of Middle East Conflict: The U.S. and Israeli militaries launched large-scale operations against Iran over the weekend, with President Trump stating that these strikes aim to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and could last four to five weeks or longer, further driving defense demand.
- Increased Arms Demand: As the conflict escalates, U.S. and allied forces are expected to utilize a vast array of ordnance, leading to a significant increase in demand for defense systems in the coming months and years, providing long-term benefits to related defense companies.
- Key Supplier Roles: Companies like RTX, Lockheed Martin, Huntington Ingalls, and General Dynamics serve as primary suppliers to the U.S. Armed Forces, responsible for producing interceptors, fighter jets, and naval vessels, ensuring the security of the U.S. and its allies.









