Palantir Technologies (PLTR +1.25%) was among the few winners to start the trading week. Several news items have shares of the specialist in data integration and analytics software higher this morning.
Palantir stock popped 7.2% in early trading and held onto a 6.2% gain as of 11:11 a.m. ET.
Image source: Getty Images.
Relationships matter
The attack on Iran and conflict throughout the Middle East have all eyes on defense names today. As a supplier of artificial intelligence (AI) software to the U.S. government, Palantir is included in that group. Even as its commercial business accelerates, government contracts still represent more than half of the company's domestic revenue. U.S. government sales grew 66% in the fourth quarter compared to the prior-year period.
In addition to a renewed focus on war and defense, Palantir could also benefit from the fallout from the Department of War's dispute with AI research company Anthropic. The two AI companies operate in related yet distinct areas. But, for now, Anthropic has been blacklisted from all existing and future U.S. government business.
NASDAQ: PLTR
Key Data Points
It's not hard for investors to draw a line connecting Palantir's ambitions to help fill that void, given its existing relationships. Palantir stock has also sunk 18% so far this year. That might give investors another reason to buy the stock now.
Palantir is undeniably growing its business rapidly. By any traditional metric, though, the stock is still extremely expensive. Investors who want a piece of that growth need to remember the risks that come with overvaluation. For now, though, Palantir looks well-positioned to keep its growth rate accelerating.
