Global geopolitical tensions reached a new high after the contentious February 28 Oval Office meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump.

A trend toward less US military support for Ukraine was evident for many investors long before that meeting, as European stocks soared in early 2025, especially those in the defense sector.

The DAX index in Germany rose to new all-time highs this year, for example, as Europe begins reshuffling policy plans in view of a reduction in U.S. military support. Germany has led the charge so far, announcing a 500 billion euro (about $535 billion) stimulus package aimed at bumping up defense and reinvigorating the country's stale economy.

Six European Defense Stocks Set To Keep The Rally Going

One aspect of the German stimulus package that seems to intrigue investors is the defense spending boost, which gets around the country's ‘debt brake' designed to limit government spending. The debt brake caps spending at a percentage of national GDP. The new agreement calls for all defense spending beyond 1% of German GDP to not be counted against this cap, which is music to the ears of European defense companies, whose stocks have been sizzling since late 2024.

It’s important to keep in mind that as foreign stocks, they trade using ADRs on OTC marketplaces. Be sure to understand the risks of buying international companies via OTC marketplaces before investing.

Rheinmetall AG

Rheinmetall AG (OTC:RNMBY) has been the face of the European defense rally so far. The stock has more than doubled in the last 12 months, including a 90% gain year-to-date (YTD). Rheinmetall is one of Germany's leading providers of military vehicles, weapons, ammunition and electronics for defense. The Dusseldorf-based company has existed since 1889 and employs more than 24,000 people.

Rheinmetall's stock trades on the DAX exchange in Germany but American investors can find it on the OTC markets trading as RNMBY. The company's valuation has gotten stretched during this recent rally, with a P/E ratio approaching 100 and a price-to-sales rate of 5.87. The company's forward P/E of 37.6 is in line with competitors like Saab and Rolls-Royce. It recently reported the USD equivalent of $955 million in free cash flow and 40% year-over-year (YoY) revenue growth. The stock ended Friday's session on a 6.5% drawdown as investors took profits amidst a choppy trading day. Some see this as an opportunity for a new entry as technical trends remain in place.

BAE Systems plc

BAE Systems (OTC:BAESY) had just completed its first ‘lost year' since COVID as 2024 drew to a close, but the recent rally has taken the British defense firm back to new all-time highs. BAE's stock closed at $57 on the final day of 2024 trading – a mere $1 above the price it opened on the first 2024 trading day. But 2025 has been a fresh start and the company is up nearly 45% YTD.

Despite the parabolic move, BAESY remains an undervalued stock compared to peers like Rheinmetall and Saab. The stock trades at just 22 times forward earnings, 1.87 times sales and sits on a massive free cash pile equivalent to $3.5 billion. Profit growth accelerated in 2024 following a sluggish 2023. The company's 7.4% profit margin is one of the sector's best figures. It also pays a 2% dividend yield, tops amongst today’s picks.

The stock could get a boost from political tailwinds in 2025 as well. Like Germany, the UK is preparing for more accommodative fiscal policy to boost its economy, especially the defense sector.

Leonardo S.P.A.

Leonardo SPA (OTC:FINMY) trades on the Italian stock exchange, and like other European defense firms, it started 2025 with a bang. Shares are up more than 72% so far this year, with possibly more room to run as the EU's fiscal plans come into focus.

Leonardo SpA has seven different business divisions, including Helicopters, Aeronautics, Electronics and Defense Systems. The firm is one of Italy's largest, with nearly 60,000 employees and a $27 billion market cap. The stock finished 2024 up more than 50% on the year, its share price has already gone from $13 to $23 in 2025.

Like BAE Systems, Leonardo remains undervalued compared to some of its more high-flying peers. Trading at 23 times forward earnings and just 1.4 times sales, the company has posted 21% YoY revenue growth. Shares pulled back on Friday, which could signify investors taking profits as the Relative Strength Index (RSI) veered into overbought territory. A minor correction could create an opportunity for new investors.

Thales S.A.

Thales S.A. (OTC:THLEF) is a French aerospace company specializing in defense equipment, including combat systems, surveillance, training simulations, avionics equipment and more. With over $22 billion in annual revenue and more than 83,000 employees, Thales is one of the largest defense contractors in Europe. It has also been one of the best-performing stocks on the French CAC index, with a nearly 83% gain YTD.

The stock looks pricey at the moment with a P/E ratio over 50, but it trades at just 23 times forward earnings and has more than $2 billion in free cash flow. In its most recent report, the company stated YoY quarterly earnings growth of 7.4% and pays a 1.46% dividend yield, which is bested only by BAE Systems’ 2% yield amongst our defense stock picks.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc

When investors think of Rolls-Royce (OTC:RYCEY), they usually picture the car driven by their favorite athlete, but the company makes more than just high-performance sports cars. It operates in multiple divisions: Civil Aerospace, Defense, Power Systems and New Markets. Rolls-Royce is the largest stock by market cap on our list at $87 billion. The company earns more than $24 billion in annual revenue.

Rolls Royce stock is up 51% this year, which lags behind other soaring European defense contractors, though that gap could soon be closed. The company's 13.3% profit margin dwarfs most competitors in the defense industry; the stock trades at 28 times earnings. It also has an impressive $3.74 billion in free cash flow ready for deployment, which is not a bad situation to find yourself in when the government is expanding fiscal policy.

And Before We Go…

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