Defense, government contractor stocks extend recent slide as investors eye DOGE
** Shares of defense firms and government contractors continue recent losing streak on Fri as Wall Street eyes potential impact of a second Donald Trump administration
** General Dynamics GD.N off 1.4% on Fri, after stock plunged nearly 7% on Thurs
** Peers Lockheed Martin LMT.N Northrop Grumman NOC.N, RTX, RTX.N formerly Raytheon, and L3Harris LHX.N also down in session, adding to steeper losses on Thurs, whenS&P 500 Aerospace & Defense index .SPLRCAERO sank3.6%
** Stocks of government contractors diving again on Fri: Leidos LDOS.N 5%, Science Applications International SAIC.O ~6%, Booz Allen Hamilton BAH.N 3%, CACI International CACI.N 3%
** "The direct trigger is emerging concern about the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and how it may result in budget cuts and policy changes that reduce contractor earnings," JP Morgan wrote in research note on Thurs
** U.S. President-elect Trump on Tues named Elon Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy as heads of the newly created agency
** Impact fromDOGE is "very far from clear", JP Morgan said, adding "more uncertainty around future results along with headline risk could continue to pressure contractor valuations"
** Jefferies in note on Thurs said delayed selloff in IT services names post-election reflects increasing uncertainty and likely volatility under the new administration, including introduction of DOGE
** In note on Weds, Truist analysts said should Pentagon spending come under scrutiny, "costly weapons systems that are years behind schedule,
failing to meet capability and readiness needs, and incur excessive sustainment costs are a likely priority"
** Should this occur, largest traditional defense contractors such as LMT, RTX, Boeing BA.N, GD and NOC would be at most risk, Truist said
Reporting by Lance Tupper and Lewis Krauskopf
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