Several countries have been beefing up their defense budgets in light of mounting geopolitical tensions, and Goldman Sachs has named several European stocks to play the theme right now. European defense stocks "have closely tracked super-cycles and are now "trading at peak multiples (20x 12-month forward price-to-earnings) vs history," which translates to a 45% premium to the benchmark Stoxx 600 index , the bank's analysts noted. Stocks Goldman's analysts said they "increasingly favour stocks exposed to long-term secular growth themes with superior visibility on growth." Other stocks with an exposure to the defense industry on Goldman's buy-rated list include aerospace names Rolls-Royce Holdings (also on its "conviction list") and Airbus . The bank has increased its 12-month price target on the stock by close to 60% to 606 euros, giving it nearly 13.4% upside potential.

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Persons: Goldman Sachs, Victor Allard, Goldman, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Stocks, Thales, Royce Holdings, Airbus, Rheinmetall