“Airstrikes against ISIS in Iraq and Syria have served as launching point for far more than missiles. Those military decisions cost the U.S. millions of dollars a day, and defense contractors pocket much of that money. (Video via U.S. Navy)

Bloomberg reports in mid-September just ahead of airstrikes in Syria, defense firms Lockheed Martin, Northrop, Raytheon and General Dynamics Corporation all set stock price records.

A chief investment officer based out of Chicago said, “To the extent we can shift away from relying on troops and rely more heavily on equipment — that could present an opportunity.”

“Presenting an opportunity” is the kind of wording to make anti-war advocates cringe, but there’s no doubt the companies and their shareholders are making money off the unusually large number of conflicts around the world.”* The Young Turks host Cenk Uygur breaks it down.

*Read more here from Cliff Judy / KTVU:
http://www.ktvu.com/news/news/national/airstrikes-are-big-business-defense-companies/nhX2C/