Morning Brew: Lockheed and RTX Thrive Amid European Defense Spending Surge

GuruFocus
10 Mar

The S&P 500 futures are down 70 points, Nasdaq 100 futures decreased by 282 points, and Dow Jones Industrial Average futures dropped 450 points. This indicates a negative start to the trading day, following a higher close for major indices last Friday.

Treasury yields are also falling. The 10-year yield is down eight basis points to 4.24%, and the 2-year yield is down five basis points to 3.95%. This movement reflects a shift towards safe-haven assets after President Trump mentioned a possible recession, describing it as a "period of transition" for the U.S. economy.

No significant U.S. economic data is expected today.

Today's News

Lockheed Martin (LMT, Financial) and RTX have solidified their positions in the global arms market, driven by increased European demand for U.S. fighter jets and missile systems. This surge is attributed to heightened defense budgets in Europe following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Countries like Britain, Germany, and Italy have invested heavily in military equipment such as the F-35 fighter jets and Patriot missile systems. However, concerns have arisen among European allies due to the U.S. halting military aid to Ukraine.

Novo Nordisk (NVO, Financial) saw its shares fall nearly 7% premarket after announcing that its obesity drug CagriSema achieved a 15.7% weight loss in a clinical trial for patients with type 2 diabetes. Despite reaching its primary endpoint, the trial revealed that fewer than two-thirds of participants were on the highest dose after 68 weeks, impacting investor confidence.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSM, Financial) reported a 43% year-over-year revenue increase for February 2025, driven by AI demand. However, revenue decreased by 11.3% compared to the previous month. TSMC's sales reflect the semiconductor sector's health, with U.S. export controls on AI chips deemed manageable, according to CEO C.C. Wei.

Rocket Cos. (RKT, Financial) agreed to acquire Redfin (RDFN, Financial) in a $1.75 billion all-stock deal, combining a leading brokerage website with the largest mortgage lender. Redfin's stock surged 81% in premarket trading, while Rocket shares fell 8.4%. This acquisition expands Rocket's pipeline of real estate services.

ServiceNow (NOW, Financial) is nearing a significant acquisition of AI firm Moveworks, potentially valued at $3 billion. The deal would enhance ServiceNow's AI capabilities, with Moveworks known for its agentic AI Assistant used by major enterprises. The acquisition is expected to be announced soon, pending final negotiations.

XPeng (XPEV, Financial) plans to mass-produce flying cars by 2026, marking a significant milestone in the automotive industry. The announcement initially boosted XPeng's shares by 7% before a broader market decline. The company aims to integrate AI with vehicle control systems for enhanced safety and user experience.

MicroStrategy (MSTR, Financial) announced an issuance of up to $21 billion in preferred stock to fund bitcoin acquisitions and other corporate purposes. MSTR shares fell 5.54% premarket, reflecting market volatility and investor caution regarding cryptocurrency investments.

GuruFocus Stock Analysis

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