Bulking Up
Bloomberg reports that China’s defense spending has more than doubled since 2006. A huge increase that shows just how important it is to the country’s leaders to be able to better project the nation’s power. Indeed, increasing tensions between China and Japan over disputed islands, and squabbles with Vietnam and the Philippines, may make such a show of force desirable.
Unfortunately, Rumi Aoyama, a professor at Waseda University in Tokyo, was quoted by Bloomberg as saying that relations between China and Japan were so bad that “At this point, it’s about maintaining lines of communication to make sure things don’t get worse.” This isn’t a good sign for a country that is a key regional ally.
In the end, The United States may be called on to help in some way. A direct military confrontation with China is obviously a last resort. That’s particularly true after two long wars and a renewed focus on cutting military spending at home. So, supporting our allies in an arms race could be the most desirable option.
Selling Abroad
The best part for investors is that such a move would likely increase sales in the U.S. military/industrial complex. The recent trip by U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel to the Middle East is the perfect example of what could take place in Asia. Basically, he made the trip to sell military gear to Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. One big deal was the first ever export of Bell Helicopter’s tilt-rotor V-22 Osprey.
In part one of this two part article, I wrote about Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT), Raytheon Company (NYSE:RTN), and Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC), all of which have a heavy focus on military/government sales. Here are a few more names to consider that have more diversified portfolios:
The Boat Maker
China’s big public release was about its prowess in the building of aircraft carriers. As industry watchers expected, the first ship was just a learning experience. General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD) doesn’t have a learning curve to deal with. It is an important and well established supplier to the U.S. Navy. If our allies want or need to bulk up in the water, this company may find itself called into action.
General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD), however, is much more than a boat maker. It has expertise in the combat systems, information systems, and aerospace arenas, too. Of note is the company’s Gulfstream jet business. While not a huge business line, it does provide a small counterweight to the military businesses.
Yielding around 3% with a long history of regular annual dividend increases, income investors might find this a solid option.
Airplanes and Arms
Although built by Bell Helicopter, a unit of Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT), the Osprey is produced “under a strategic alliance” with The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA). So, in one world hot spot, U.S. military suppliers are already benefiting. That said, Boeing’s business is even more diversified than General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD).
In fact, military sales account for only about 40% of the company’s overall business, which includes sales to NASA. The company’s commercial aircraft business, then, is a bigger issue for the company. For example, the grounding of the Dreamliner was a massive risk to the company’s future.
