Tech isn't just a Silicon Valley parlor game anymore. Look at this chaotic mix of companies, and you'll see exactly where the real money is moving right now.

Let's start with defense. General Dynamics (GD.US) and Leidos (LDOS.US) are proving that the biggest cash cow is still the federal government. General Dynamics just locked down tens of billions of dollars in Navy contracts to build more nuclear submarines. Meanwhile, Leidos scored a massive deal to provide secure connections for hundreds of thousands of Navy and Marine personnel, and their autonomous maritime systems are literally showing off at the RIMPAC military exercises.

Modern warfare isn't just about heavy metal; it's about autonomy and secure networks.

Then you have the healthcare disruptors. Oscar Health (OSCR.US) is having a surprisingly stellar year. CEO Mark Bertolini just delivered record profitability, proving their tech-driven insurance platform isn't just smoke and mirrors. Add in biomarker testing players like Oncocyte (ONC.US), and you can see how tech is slowly rewriting the archaic rules of medicine.

We absolutely cannot ignore the companies handling the gritty, physical world.

Republic Services (RSG.US) is a prime example. Trash collection isn't sexy, but pulling in solid revenue growth in Q2 and rolling out an all-electric recycling fleet certainly is. Even Bill Gates's investment arm just threw another hundred million at them. PulteGroup (PHM.US) is doing the same in housing, grinding out steady order growth and decent margins.

And of course, there are the automation evangelists. Appian (APPN.US) continues to push its low-code automation platform into every enterprise it can find. Even a bizarrely diversified multinational like DSS (DSS.US) just launched a new artificial intelligence and robotics division to get a piece of the action.

Finally, if you can't be bothered to pick individual chaotic winners, the market is always ready to bundle these trends into vehicles like OKTG.US and KMEM.US.

It might look like a random assortment of misfit toys. But make no mistake—whether they are building subs, hauling trash, or writing code, these companies know exactly how to cash in on a messy world.