0901 GMT - European defense stocks fall in early trade after U.S. President Trump said that Israel and Hamas had agreed to the first phase of a cease-fire plan. This fall might be a small bout of profit-taking after a strong run for the defense sector, AJ Bell's investment director Russ Mould says. "Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 drove more investors to look at defense stocks and a subsequent heightening in geopolitical tensions in other parts of the world led various governments to spend more money on military and intelligence capabilities," he says. Babcock International falls 3.1%, Renk Group drops 2.8%, Saab is 2.15% lower, Hensoldt loses 1.5%, Leonardo and BAE Systems dip 1.2% each, while Rheinmetall and Thales are each down 0.9%. (cristina.gallardo@wsj.com)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
October 09, 2025 05:01 ET (09:01 GMT)
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