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This Week's Featured Content U.S. Shipbuilding Revival: 3 Stocks to Watch Now Authored by Chris Markoch. Originally Published: 3/15/2026. 
Key Points - The White House Maritime Action Plan could unlock hundreds of billions in funding aimed at restoring U.S. shipbuilding capacity.
- Defense contractors like Huntington Ingalls and General Dynamics are positioned to win large naval contracts tied to submarines and destroyers.
- BAE Systems offers international diversification, benefiting from rising European defense spending alongside potential U.S. shipbuilding demand.
- Special Report: Have $500? Invest in Elon's AI Masterplan
When President Trump signed an executive order aimed at restoring America's maritime dominance, it triggered events investors should watch. The order's centerpiece is America's Maritime Action Plan (MAP), a sweeping blueprint to rebuild domestic shipbuilding with hundreds of billions in federal financing. Before dismissing it as frivolous spending, consider a couple of hard facts: under 1% of new commercial ships are currently built in the United States, and China has dominated global shipbuilding for years. MAP is Washington's response to that imbalance. San Francisco is the strangest city in America right now—you can hop into a self-driving car and be chauffeured by a robot, but out the window you see addicts slumped in doorways, open-air drug markets, the mentally ill screaming at the sky, and entire city blocks consumed by homeless encampments. It's ground-zero for the most disruptive technological forces of our age, and Erez lives in the Bay Area plugged into the capital, the connections, and the companies reshaping the world—the advancements in AI, blockchain, computing, and biosciences are unlike anything the world has seen before, and a tsunami of disruption is coming for everything all at once. During our most recent broadcast, we exposed what we're calling the most asymmetric opportunity of our careers: an overlooked financial company hiding a multi-billion-dollar blockchain asset Wall Street hasn't priced in—it's one of those rare situations Warren Buffett would describe as raining gold when all you have to do is step outside if you want to get rich. Watch the broadcast before the window closes now MAP isn't the only source of funding. The Pentagon's proposed fiscal year 2026 (FY2026) budget and a separate reconciliation package together earmark tens of billions specifically for naval shipbuilding, including new Virginia-class submarines and guided-missile destroyers. Though separate programs, MAP and the defense budget pull in the same direction. For investors, that creates a clear opportunity. A handful of defense contractors stand to benefit: some are pure-play military shipbuilders; others blend defense and commercial work; and at least one also benefits from increased European defense spending. Below, we break down three aerospace and defense stocks that could gain from this wave of spending, and what investors should consider before adding them to a portfolio. The Pure-Play Leader in U.S. Naval Shipbuilding Huntington Ingalls (NYSE: HII) is one of the clearest beneficiaries. As the nation's largest military shipbuilder, HII had already forecast the potential to secure up to $50 billion in new government contracts over the next 24 months even before MAP was announced. In its most recent earnings report, HII posted full-year revenue of $12.5 billion, up 8.2% year-over-year. Shipbuilding throughput rose 14% YOY and is expected to reach 15% in 2026. HII stock pared some 2026 gains after the report on short-term margin concerns. Analysts have cautioned that next year's earnings may not fully support the stock after its run of more than 100% in the past 12 months. MAP ambitions appear to have been anticipated by institutional investors. HII saw increased institutional investment in the fourth quarter of 2025, which corresponded with its price rally starting in December 2025. As of mid-March, Huntington Ingalls trades slightly above its consensus price target. Analysts have been lifting their targets for the year; Citigroup currently has the highest target at $465, raised from $450 on Feb. 12. A Combination of Shipbuilding Strength and Dividend Growth If Huntington Ingalls is the primary beneficiary, General Dynamics (NYSE: GD) would be a close second. The company participates in naval construction through its Bath Iron Works and Electric Boat divisions. GD is up roughly 30% over the last 12 months and jumped about 4% after MAP funding plans were announced. That move followed the company's January earnings report, in which General Dynamics delivered a double beat—revenue rose 10.1% YOY and earnings increased 13.4% YOY. GD shares trade slightly below the consensus price target, and analysts have been nudging targets higher. Susquehanna currently has the highest target at $420. General Dynamics appeals to both income and growth investors. The company is a dividend aristocrat and recently raised its dividend for the 34th consecutive year, bringing the annual payout to $6.36 per share. A Choice for Global Defense and Maritime Exposure BAE Systems (OTCMKTS: BAESY), headquartered in London, may have more limited direct exposure to MAP. However, its U.S. subsidiary focuses on shipbuilding and could capture some contracts if the U.S. fleet upgrade accelerates. This potential U.S. upside would complement the boost BAE is receiving from increased European defense spending. The company is the largest defense contractor in Europe; its maritime segment accounted for more than 22% of 2024 revenue and grew about 10% year-over-year. BAESY is up more than 40% in the past 12 months and over 30% year-to-date in 2026, pushing the stock near its 52-week high. Despite the run-up, analysts maintain a consensus Buy on the shares. As always, investors should weigh potential upside against valuation and execution risks. Defense spending tailwinds are meaningful, but contract timing, margin pressure and program execution can all affect near-term returns. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance before adding any of these names to a portfolio. | 
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