10 Best Defense Stocks to Buy in the S&P 500

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1. The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 106

The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) is among the 10 Best Defense Stocks to Buy in the S&P 500. According to TipRanks, Jefferies analyst Sheila Kahyaoglu reiterated the firm’s Buy rating on the stock on January 19, with a price target of $290.

This follows Bernstein’s adjustment to the stock last week, on January 15, when analyst Douglas Harned reiterated an Outperform rating and raised the price target to $298 from $277. The firm anticipates growth ahead for the company and identified Boeing as its top pick in the aerospace and defense sector for 2026.

Based on the ratings of 17 analysts, the stock is a consensus Strong Buy. The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) has a one-year average share price target of $257.69, representing an upside of 4.04% from Monday’s close.

The aerospace company released delivery figures for 2025 on January 13. During the year, it handed over 127 military aircraft to the U.S armed forces and overseas clients, with the AH-64E Apache attack helicopters accounting for nearly half of all deliveries.

In related news, the company secured an $8.6 billion contract for Israel’s F-15 program on December 29, following a meeting between President Trump and visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida. The contract will cover the delivery of 25 new jets, with the option to add another 25 F-15IA aircraft.

The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) is a leading aerospace company that manufactures commercial airplanes, space systems, and defense equipment for customers in over 150 countries.

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READ NEXT: 14 Best Booming Stocks to Buy Right Now and 7 Best Defense Dividend Stocks to Buy.

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