European defense stocks lift markets higher; Sweden’s Saab gains 9%
Feb 28, 2025
European markets traded higher on Monday, as regional defense and geopolitical uncertainty remain in focus.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 was up 0.3% at 9:40 a.m. London time, lifted by a 2.2% uptick in the Stoxx 600 Aerospace and Defense index as European leaders came together to discuss regional defense efforts.
Germany’s Renk Group was up 12% and Swedish defense manufacturer Saab gained 8.97%. German arms maker Rheinmetall was 5.7% higher.
Geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and Europe are likely to remain in focus for European markets this week as U.S. officials prepare for talks with Russia to end the war in Ukraine, with officials in Kyiv and Europe being left out of the discussions.
European leaders are holding an emergency summit in Paris on Monday to discuss how to respond to President Donald Trump’s apparent decision to sideline Europe, and how to guarantee the country’s security in future.
Over the weekend, global officials met in Germany for the Munich Security Conference, where European defense spending was in focus. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at the event that Brussels would float exempting defense spending from the bloc’s fiscal rules, while NATO chief Mark Rutte said the military alliance planned to discuss increasing spending targets at a summit in June.
Overnight, Asia-Pacific markets traded mostly higher as investors parsed Japan’s fourth-quarter economic growth data, while awaiting a slew of central bank decisions from Australia, Indonesia and New Zealand this week.
U.S. financial markets are closed on Monday for the Presidents Day holiday.
European defense stocks hit record high
Regional defense stocks rose to a record high on Monday, with the Stoxx 600 Aerospace and Defense Index gaining 2% by 9:22 a.m. London time after surging higher at the open.
Germany’s Renk Group was up 11% during morning deals. Swedish defense manufacturer Saab gained 7.6%, and German arms maker Rheinmetall was up 7.5%. Many other stocks in the sector also made significant gains.
European leaders are gathering in Paris on Monday, where an emergency summit is being held to discuss upcoming U.S.-Russia talks on ending the war in Ukraine — plans for which have so far excluded Ukrainian and other European officials.
The meeting comes after the Munich Security Conference over the weekend, where some officials showed willingness to ramp up Europe’s defense
