Behind Modern Defense: The Materials Most Investors Overlook

The Defense Angle Most People Miss

Modern defense isn't just hardware.

It's materials.

Uranium. Titanium. Vanadium.

They sit behind aircraft, naval systems, energy storage, and infrastructure, yet much of global supply remains concentrated overseas.

That's why attention is shifting to early-stage North American projects capable of supporting long-term domestic sourcing.

One group has quietly positioned itself across several of these materials, with active work underway in historically productive regions.

Why investors are taking a closer look:

Exposure to defense-linked materials
Assets in geopolitically secure locations
Portfolio approach across multiple sectors
Ongoing exploration creating future optionality

Defense priorities don't change overnight.

But positioning starts early.

Learn what makes this strategically important >

3 ETFs Designed to Survive the Next Market Crash

Submitted by Nathan Reiff. Article Published: 2/9/2026.

Article Highlights

Following a reversal in the precious metals rally, investors looking for defensive plays might consider ETFs that employ strategies to protect against downside risk.
SPLV and SWAN both provide targeted exposure to the S&P 500 (or portions thereof) while attempting to manage risk using volatility metrics and Treasurys, respectively.
TLT aims for long-dated Treasurys, attempting to balance a potential yield advantage and minimal credit risk.

Though the stock market has continued its upward trend so far in 2026, cracks may be appearing. A slowing labor market, the risk of an AI bubble, and a Cyclically Adjusted Price-to-Earnings (CAPE) ratio near 40 all suggest the market may be overvalued and a crash could be looming.

Many investors have seized on the precious metals rally to shift portfolios toward a more defensive posture. However, a late-January dip in the prices of several key metals may prompt more cautious investors to seek protection elsewhere.

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Fortunately, several exchange-traded funds (ETFs) offer strategies that balance risk management with potential returns and income. Each of the three funds below uses a different approach and may appeal to investors seeking safety in 2026.

Low-Volatility Names From the S&P 500 For Dividend Stability

Although the S&P 500 can be volatile, parts of the index tend to be more stable. The Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF (NYSEARCA: SPLV) targets the S&P's least volatile members—it tracks an index of the 100 least volatile S&P 500 constituents based on trailing 12-month volatility.

Unsurprisingly, SPLV's holdings are often large- and mega-cap blue-chip names like The Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE: KO) and McDonald's Corp. (NYSE: MCD), both top-10 holdings by weight. These firms tend to be steady across economic cycles and typically pay reliable dividends, even if they don't offer the same upside as growth stocks. SPLV currently offers a dividend yield of about 2%.

SPLV is generally a defensive play: its holdings often underperform growth names during bull runs but offer downside protection in bear markets. Its return of under 6% over the past year illustrates that trade-off—investors gain stability at the expense of the potential for large gains.

Combination of Treasurys and S&P 500 Options for Protected Market Exposure

The Amplify BlackSwan Growth & Treasury Core ETF (NYSEARCA: SWAN), like SPLV, aims to provide S&P 500 exposure while managing risk. Its approach is distinctive: the fund follows an index that allocates roughly 90% to U.S. Treasurys and about 10% to in-the-money call options on the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (NYSEARCA: SPY).

With a heavy allocation to stable Treasurys, SWAN can blunt losses if the S&P 500 falls. The options sleeve provides uncapped upside exposure, allowing investors to participate in market gains. SWAN also pays a dividend yield of 2.86%, offering a source of income.

Over the last year, SWAN returned just over 10%, slightly below the S&P's roughly 13% for the same period. When total return and dividends are considered, many investors may find SWAN's defensive profile—and the 0.49% expense ratio that supports its strategy—to be a reasonable trade-off.

Long-Dated Treasury Fund For Potential Yield Bonus

As part of a bond-focused allocation, the iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ: TLT) increases exposure to long-dated U.S. Treasurys. These securities can offer higher yields but also carry greater interest-rate sensitivity, so TLT can be riskier than shorter-duration bond funds.

Still, in the event of a market crash, TLT is likely to be considerably safer than most equity funds. Its diversification across dozens of long-dated issues, a dividend yield of about 4.44%, and a modest 0.15% expense ratio make it an attractive option for investors seeking defensive income and duration exposure.

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