The rally in shares of European defense companies has begun to slow amid investor doubts about the durability of future funding, the Financial Times writes.
Another factor has been a shift in market interest toward drone makers and companies more closely tied to modern, high-tech forms of warfare.
The Stoxx Europe Targeted Defence index, which had risen by more than 40% annually since 2022, has fallen by more than 15% since reaching a peak in January. Most of the decline came after the start of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.
The rally in European defense companies has stalled
Stoxx Targeted Defence index, points 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 Russia invades Ukraine German “bazooka” package announced NATO target of 5% of GDP agreed Start of the U.S.-Iran war 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026
Data: LSEG
Against this backdrop, major defense groups including BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, Thales, Leonardo and Rheinmetall have lost billions of euros in market value.
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