nLIGHT Inc. (LASR) experienced a significant surge of 7.70% over a 24-hour period. The stock's upward movement was notable during intraday trading on Monday, reflecting strong investor interest in the defense technology sector.

The rally in nLIGHT shares is closely tied to escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Over the weekend and into Monday, intensified conflict involving Iran, Israel, and allied forces, marked by drone and missile attacks, has driven investor focus toward companies specializing in counter-drone and directed-energy defense systems. This broader market trend saw numerous drone-related and defense stocks climbing sharply during the session.

Adding to the positive sentiment, nLIGHT announced it will showcase several of its newest high-power laser weapon systems at an upcoming defense technology conference in March. The company, a provider of lasers used in aerospace and defense applications for countering unmanned aerial systems, plans to highlight new 70-kW, 30-kW, and 10-kW high-energy laser systems, underscoring its role in modern military technology.