It is also a moment to reaffirm the country's unwavering resolve to stand united against terrorism. Alongside remembrance, the day acknowledges the success of Operation Sindoor, which played a crucial role in dismantling the terror network responsible for the attack.

Events of this nature often create periods of uncertainty, not just socially and politically, but also in financial markets.

Historically, such geopolitical tensions tend to shift investor focus toward the defence sector. This sector has consistently outperformed many others during times of global instability and is often perceived as a relatively safe-haven asset.

The trend has been evident across multiple conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine war, the Israel-Hamas war, and the recent US-Iran tensions.

Defence Stocks Performance

Here's a look at how major defence stocks reacted over the last 12 months

Data patterns, BEL and Paras Defence delivered strong gains (80 per cent, 50 per cent and 48 per cent), indicating robust investor interest. However, state-owned HAL remained largely flat at 1 per cent, while BDL declined slightly by 3 per cent.

Overall, the sector trend appears positive, supported by strong performers despite a few underwhelming stocks.

Valuations and Margins

While on the valuations and margins side, the defence companies reflect a divergence between pricing and operational efficiency.

HAL trades at a relatively moderate P/E of 32x with stable margins, indicating value support. Bharat Electronics Limited commands a premium backed by good profitability.

In contrast, Bharat Dynamics Limited appears overvalued given weak margins.

Private players such as Data Patterns and Paras Defence trade at elevated multiples, driven by growth expectations and superior margin profiles, suggesting optimism is already priced in.

Strong order book by defence stocks

For defence stocks, a strong order book is critical as it ensures long-term revenue visibility and underpins earnings stability, given the sector's reliance on large, multi-year government contracts.

In the current scenario, the sector shows strong demand visibility, especially for PSUs like HAL and BDL, reinforcing why investors view defence as a long-term structural growth story.

*TTM means revenue earned in the last 12 months
* Book-to-bill means how many years of revenue are already secured

HAL and BDL exhibit elevated book-to-bill ratios, indicating multi-year execution pipelines. BEL maintains steady visibility, reflecting consistent order inflows.

In contrast, private players like Data Patterns and Paras Defence show moderate coverage, implying reliance on continued deal wins.

Defence Stocks Outlook

Outlook for the defence stocks such as HAL, BEL and others remains solid, with an upside potential of up to 30 per cent. Brokerage sentiment also reflects positivity, with all covered companies rated "Buy," though upside potential varies significantly.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Paras Defence offer the highest implied upside, indicating stronger conviction in their growth outlook.

Bharat Electronics Limited shows moderate potential, while Data Patterns and Bharat Dynamics Limited reflect limited near-term upside, suggesting valuations may already factor in expected growth.

(Disclaimer: The above article is meant for informational purposes only, and should not be considered as any investment advice. ET NOW DIGITAL suggests its readers/audience to consult their financial advisors before making any money-related decisions.)

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