Industrials Down on Iran War Fears -- Industrials Roundup

Published: 2026-04-21 17:50:15 ET NOC

Published on 04/21/2026 at 05:50 pm EDT

Shares of industrial and transportation companies fell amid fears that the war in Iran would hinder growth in aircraft demand.

GE Aerospace fell even after the engine maker posted brisk growth in first-quarter revenue on surging orders amid strong air travel and military demand.

Defense-and-aerospace contractor Northrop Grumman logged a jump in profit and higher sales in the first quarter, amid what Chief Executive Kathy Warden called an unprecedented global demand environment. Still, shares of Northrop and rival RTX fell sharply, amid doubts about the sustainability of aerospace demand.

Deutsche Lufthansa will cancel some European routes and 20,000 short-haul flights scheduled until October in a bid to save jet fuel, as airlines struggle with potential shortages and higher prices due to the war in Iran.

3M reiterated 2026 adjusted earnings and revenue forecasts as higher demand for its industrial products and office supplies offset the impact of one-off charges on net income in the first quarter.

Japan eased longstanding restrictions on arms exports, another small step away from its pacifist past that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi hopes will strengthen Tokyo's ties with the U.S., NATO and its allies in Asia.

Write to Rob Curran at [email protected]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

04-21-26 1749ET