Are investors betting on higher European military spending?
Core argument: The Stoxx Europe aerospace and defence index jumped 8.4%, on track for its biggest one-day gain since November 2020, as investors bet European governments will boost military spending.
Europe’s defence sector extended a blistering rally on Monday [3/3] and the euro surged as investors raised their bets that governments across the continent will have to boost military spending and shoulder more of the burden for their security. Shares in Rheinmetall, Germany’s largest defence company, jumped 14% while Leonardo climbed 15.4% in Milan. Paris-listed Thales surged 15%, BAE Systems gained 14.3% and Sweden’s Saab was up 11.3%. The Stoxx Europe aerospace and defence index jumped 8.4%, putting it on track for its biggest one-day gain since November 2020, while Germany’s Dax surged as much as 3.3%, on course for its largest gain in more than two years. European government bonds sold off on expectations of higher spending.


