LIVE MARKETS-Investors are betting on bigger Pentagon budgets. So why are defense stocks struggling?

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INVESTORS ARE BETTING ON BIGGER PENTAGON BUDGETS. SO WHY ARE DEFENSE STOCKS STRUGGLING?

The outlook for U.S. defense spending has rarely looked stronger. Global conflicts, rising security threats and bipartisan support for military investment have fueled expectations of larger Pentagon budgets in the years ahead. Yet defense stocks have struggled to capitalize.

According to Bernstein analysts, the problem is not demand. It's dysfunction.

The brokerage argues that investors have become increasingly frustrated by Congress's inability to provide budget clarity. While the Pentagon is pushing for substantially higher spending, lawmakers remain mired in an appropriations process that has left key funding decisions unresolved.

That uncertainty has weighed heavily on defense shares. The sector has moved from trading at a premium to the broader market to trading at a discount, even as the long-term spending outlook has improved. Investors are less concerned about whether defense budgets will grow than about when the funding will actually arrive.

The concern is especially acute for missile-defense programs, one of the Pentagon's top priorities. Bernstein estimates that a significant portion of funding for key growth initiatives remains tied to reconciliation legislation rather than the regular budget process, leaving programs vulnerable to political delays and negotiations.

The irony is that industry fundamentals remain robust. Defense contractors continue to hold record backlogs, while spending proposals point to healthy growth in procurement and research accounts that directly benefit the sector.

SO WHEN CAN INVESTORS BUY?

While Bernstein remains positive on the sector's long-term outlook, it sees little urgency to buy defense stocks before November.

The brokerage views the November 3 U.S. midterm elections as a potential clearing event that could bring greater budget clarity and create a more attractive entry point for investors.

Until then, many are likely to stay on the sidelines as congressional budget negotiations drag on, even as expectations for higher defense spending remain intact. Reflecting that uncertainty, Bernstein has modestly lowered its valuation multiples for the sector.

For now, defense stocks remain caught between favorable long-term spending trends and near-term budget uncertainty in Washington.

(Rashika Singh)

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