5 Aerospace and Defense Stocks with the Largest 5Y Share Price Returns

Page 5 of 5

1. FTAI Aviation Ltd. (NASDAQ:FTAI)

5Y Price Change: 838%

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 56

FTAI Aviation Ltd. (NASDAQ:FTAI) is among the 8 Aerospace and Defense Stocks with the Largest 5Y Share Price Returns. The company’s share price has gained 838% during the period.

Wall Street also has a bullish outlook on the company with a Strong Buy rating based on the recommendations from 5 analysts. Moreover, the stock has an average share price upside potential of 33% as of the close on June 29.

FTAI Aviation Ltd. (NASDAQ:FTAI) reported Aerospace Products revenue of $743.8 million for the first quarter, growing 104% year-to-date, while adjusted EBITDA in this space came in at $222.6 million, up 70% from the prior year’s period. Moreover, the company announced it would raise its quarterly dividend for the third successive quarter, from $0.40 to $0.45 per share, amid strong free cash flow generation.

Institutional investors’ interest in the stock remains strong and steady. According to Insider Monkey’s database for Q1 2026, 56 hedge funds held a stake in FTAI, remaining unchanged from the fourth quarter of 2025.

Tourlite Capital Management, in its Q1 2026 investor letter, praised FTAI’s strong quarterly results despite supply constraints in the aerospace and engine markets. The firm noted the company’s rapidly growing market share in the CFM56 aftermarket and highlighted the positive momentum from the joint venture with Jereh Group.

FTAI Aviation Ltd. (NASDAQ:FTAI) owns, acquires, maintains, and sells aviation equipment, with a strong focus on CFM56 and V2500 engines.

While we acknowledge the potential of FTAI to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than FTAI and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

READ NEXT: 8 Best Mid Cap Defense Stocks to Buy and 10 Stocks ChatGPT Predicts Could Make You Wealthy in 3 Years.

Disclosure: None. Insider Monkey focuses on uncovering the best investment ideas of hedge funds and insiders. Please subscribe to our free daily e-newsletter to get the latest investment ideas from hedge funds’ investor letters by entering your email below.

Page 5 of 5
1281292 - 11759070 - 1