The aerospace defense equipment industry has maintained its northbound journey amid supply-chain woes. Nevertheless, improving defense budget funding from the U.S. administration and impressive year-over-year projections for global air passenger numbers are likely to boost this space in the second half of 2024. The aerospace defense equipment industry comprises companies that primarily design and manufacture heavy-built products like commercial as well as military jets and helicopters, tankers and other combat vehicles, missiles, combatant ships as well as auxiliary ships, submarines, bombs, guns, space transportation vehicles, military satellites and a few more. The industry stood its ground on the back of steady government support. Importantly, in March 2024, the fiscal 2025 defense budget request was submitted by President Joe Biden. This included a funding proposal of $849.8 billion for the U.S. Department of Defense, which reflected a 1% increase from the fiscal 2024 enacted funding amount. Steadily improving global air traffic data in recent times has been boosting the near-term growth prospects of the industry. As stated in the latest report published by the IATA in June, total travelers are expected to reach 4.96 billion in 2024 — a record high. Total revenues are expected to reach $996 billion in 2024 — a record high, reflecting an improvement of 9.7% year over year. The Zacks-defined Aerospace – Defense Equipment Industry is currently in the top 14% of the Zacks Industry Rank. In the past year, the industry has provided 28.1% returns, while its year-to-date return is 15.2%. Since it is ranked in the top half of Zacks ...