Check out the companies making headlines before the bell. Defense Stocks – This group rose after last weekend’s joint US-Israeli attack on Iran prompted retaliation from major oil producers. Lockheed Martin stock also rose 6%, and Northrop Grumman stock rose 5%. Drone maker Aerovironment rose more than 10%. Oil Stocks 1 Several oil stocks soared in the wake of the U.S. and Israeli attack on Iran on concerns that the conflict could disrupt global oil production and transportation. Shares of ExxonMobil and Chevron rose about 4%, and ConocoPhillips rose more than 5%. Oil prices rose, with Brent crude hitting a 52-week high of more than $78 on Monday. Tanker Stocks 1 Tanker stocks soared following the outbreak of military attacks in the Middle East. Frontline rose more than 5%, DHT Holdings rose 7% and International Seaways rose 6%. Travel stocks — The group fell as the U.S.-Iran conflict sent oil prices soaring and disrupted global travel. Expedia and Booking Holdings fell 3.2% and 2.7%, respectively. Delta Air Lines fell 5.7%, while American Airlines and United Airlines each fell at least 6%. Berkshire Hathaway’s Class B shares fell 1% after the conglomerate posted a nearly 30% drop in operating profit in the fourth quarter, primarily due to weakness in its insurance business. Overall revenue, including gains and losses from the conglomerate’s stock market investments, also fell slightly year-on-year. AES-Energy stocks fell nearly 17%. A consortium of investors led by BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners and EQT announced Monday that it would acquire AES for nearly $11 billion. Under the agreement, shareholders will receive cash payments of $15 per share. The transaction is expected to close in late 2026 or early 2027. Shares of Elevance Health fell nearly 4% after the insurer said in a filing that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services plans to impose sanctions on its operations, including suspending the enrollment of Medicare beneficiaries in Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans and temporarily halting certain communication activities to Medicare beneficiaries. Bank Stocks — Bank stocks fell as rising tensions in the Middle East soured sentiment toward global markets and the economy. JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley each fell more than 1%, along with Bank of America. Citigroup fell 2.5%. — CNBC’s Fred Imbert contributed reporting.
