AI focused hardware is reshaping global trade, with AI enabling goods driving 42% of global goods trade growth in 2025 and reaching 76% in early 2026. That kind of demand ripple can flow straight into companies building electric and self driving vehicles, from chips to motors. This article examines three stocks linked to that supply chain so you can quickly assess how this theme might fit in your portfolio.
The three electric and autonomous vehicle stocks in this article are just a sample set, with the full screen surfacing 20 more businesses linked to this theme that carry equally compelling narratives across chips, batteries, sensors, and commercial fleets. If you want to identify your own highest conviction ideas in this space, head straight into the Electric/ Autonomous Vehicle Stocks screener to filter and analyze the full list based on the factors that matter most to you.
AEVEX (AVEX)
AEVEX leans directly into the Electric/Autonomous Vehicle Stocks theme through its combat ready unmanned air and maritime platforms, and the analyst consensus Narrative on Simply Wall St frames how defense demand, contract pipelines, and capacity expansion could shape the story from here.
AEVEX Corp. operates as a defense technology contractor focused on autonomous unmanned aerial and surface systems, linking it naturally to autonomous vehicle technology within a broader defense mission. The business has a market cap of about US$1.6b.
"Growing focus from the U.S. Department of Defense and allies on autonomous unmanned systems, including funding requests for UAVs and USVs above US$50b, supports demand visibility for AEVEX platforms and may underpin revenue growth and backlog resilience."
What happens to AEVEX’s earnings power if one crucial assumption about long term program awards and follow on contracts proves too optimistic?
If that risk call matters to you, read the full narrative for AEVEX to see how defense demand, contract cycles, and execution risk interact in AEVEX’s story.
Northrop Grumman (NOC)
Northrop Grumman blends its core defense work with a clear link to autonomous vehicles through unmanned aircraft systems and autonomy software, and the analyst consensus Narrative on Simply Wall St highlights why that mix has caught attention as defense spending priorities evolve.
"Expansion of munitions and solid rocket motor capacity, underpinned by 10 multi year missile acceleration agreements worth up to US$10b over seven years including a US$2b PAC 3 framework, positions Northrop Grumman to convert this pipeline into higher sales and potentially improved margins as volumes scale."
The real swing factor is how one pressure on long term program execution shapes the trajectory of those margins and cash flows.
That swing factor is exactly what the full narrative for Northrop Grumman unpacks, separating short term noise from the longer term story for Northrop Grumman’s autonomous and missile programs.
Caterpillar (CAT)
Caterpillar brings the electric and autonomous vehicle theme into heavy industry, using self driving and electrified mining and construction equipment rather than passenger cars. The analyst consensus Narrative on Simply Wall St captures how that machinery, software and power exposure ties into a bigger earnings story.
"Rapid growth in Power & Energy, including 72% sales to users growth in power generation for data center applications and customer orders for large engines and turbines extending out to 2029 and 2030, indicates a long runway of AI driven power projects that can add to revenue and support operating margins as new capacity is utilized."
What really matters for Caterpillar is how one cost and pricing pressure shapes where margins settle once this wave of demand runs through.
Caterpillar Inc. builds heavy equipment and power systems worldwide, and its autonomous mining trucks, electrified machines and fleet management software link it to the electric and self driving theme. Most revenue comes from Machinery, Power & Energy at about US$80.4b, split across Power & Energy at US$36.0b, Construction Industries at US$30.4b and Resource Industries at US$14.0b, with Financial Products contributing US$4.5b, while the business carries a market cap near US$276.9b.
Where those margins ultimately land is exactly what the full narrative for Caterpillar unpacks, separating durable earnings power from short term AI construction hype.
Seeking Fresh Alternatives Before They Fly
New themes gain momentum fast, and the earliest buyers usually capture the cleanest entry points before stories get crowded, sentiment flips, or liquidity drops. Scan these fresh ideas and consider getting in early.
- Hunt for outlier cash generators by scanning the 32 high quality undervalued stocks that pair sturdy balance sheets with payouts and pricing power while they are still under the radar for now.
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