RTX Corporation, an aerospace and defense company, provides systems and services for the commercial, military, and government customers in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon. The Collins Aerospace Systems segment offers aerospace and defense products, and aftermarket service solutions for civil and military aircraft manufacturers and commercial airlines, as well as regional, business, and general aviation, defense, and commercial space operations. This segment also designs, produces, and supports cabin interior, including oxygen systems, food and beverage preparation, storage and galley systems, and lavatory and wastewater management systems; battlespace, test and training range systems, crew escape systems, and simulation and training solutions; information management services; and aftermarket services that include spare parts, overhaul and repair, engineering and technical support, training and fleet management solutions, and asset and information management services. Its Pratt & Whitney segment supplies aircraft engines for commercial, military, business jet, and general aviation customers; and produces, sells, and services military and commercial auxiliary power units. The Raytheon segment provides defensive and offensive threat detection, tracking, and mitigation capabilities for U.S., foreign government, and commercial customers. The company was formerly known as Raytheon Technologies Corporation and changed its name to RTX Corporation in July 2023. RTX Corporation was incorporated in 1934 and is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

RTX Corporation

Key Points
RTX beat on sales and beat on earnings yesterday, but guidance disappointed and investors sold off the stock.
Today, Wall Street rode to RTX's defense, raising price targets across the board.
RTX stock looks expensive even without the lowered guidance.
A funny thing happened to RTX Corporation (NYSE: RTX) yesterday -- meaning funny-strange. RTX reported 9% sales growth in its fiscal second-quarter earnings report, and beat analyst forecasts with $1.56 per share earned on revenue of $21.6 billion.
The stock fell 1.6%.
Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue »
Why Wall Street loves RTX stock
Investors seemed upset that RTX's guidance didn't measure up to expectations yesterday. All seems forgiven on Wednesday, however, with RTX stock erasing Tuesday's losses and closing the day up 4.9%. For this, you can thank the Wall Street analysts who lined up to raise their price targets on the shares.
Tic-tac-toe, four in a row, everyone from Bank of America to UBS sang RTX's praises today. BofA slapped a $175 price target on the stock, lowering its 2025 forecast but insisting that "outyear estimates" remain strong.
Susquehanna Research agrees that $175 is the right price. It noted that the effect of tariffs is baked into guidance for earnings of $5.80 to $5.95 this year. UBS and RBC took, respectively, the over and under, with RBC saying RTX stock is worth $170 a share, and UBS guessing $177 -- and calling the stock's valuation "attractive."
Is RTX stock a buy?
Call me a cynic, but I just don't see things that way. Beyond guidance, when I look at RTX stock, I see a defense company earning $6.1 billion in net profit over the past year -- but generating less than $3.2 billion in positive free cash flow.
It's bad enough that the stock costs 34 times trailing earnings, but a valuation of 65.5 times free cash flow is just plain ridiculous on a defense stock with a sub-2% dividend yield and a long-term growth rate below 10%.
Much as I like the company, there's simply no way I'd buy RTX stock at these prices.
Should you invest $1,000 in RTX right now?
Before you buy stock in RTX, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and RTX wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $641,800!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,023,813!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 1,034% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 180% for the S&P 500. Don’t miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor.
*Stock Advisor returns as of July 21, 2025
Bank of America is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Rich Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends RTX. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Why RTX Stock Popped Today

Palantir Technologies PLTR has emerged as one of the most talked-about names in the S&P 500, and not just for what it does, but for what investors are willing to pay for it. With a market capitalization of $358 billion, it now surpasses giants like Coca-Cola and Bank of America. Yet, when viewed through a valuation lens, Palantir stands alone in its league.
Its trailing 12-month price-to-earnings ratio exceeds 640X, and its forward 12-month multiple hovers above 225X. Even more striking is its enterprise value relative to forward 12-month revenue of more than 78X, a level rarely seen, even during the most exuberant periods in market history. By that metric, Palantir looks far more expensive than nearly every other established U.S. stock over the past two decades.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Such elevated valuations raise the bar for future performance. For a company trading at these levels, expectations around revenue acceleration, margin expansion, and long-term scalability must not only be met; they must be exceeded. Even minor disappointments can trigger sharp corrections as multiples revert toward historical norms. Companies in the past that reached these kinds of revenue multiples — often 30x or higher — eventually faced tough questions about sustainability. Investor optimism alone is rarely enough to sustain prices when fundamentals don’t keep up.
The pattern is hard to ignore. When companies reach 30x sales or more, they often enter what is viewed as the “bubble zone,” a place where expectations are sky-high and hard to maintain. Revenue growth typically slows, forecasts get downgraded and valuations eventually compress. In the short term, momentum can mask this risk, but over time, gravity tends to take hold.
In conclusion, Palantir’s valuation not only defies market norms but also places it well beyond even the exuberance seen in past bubbles. Unless its performance can defy history, the risk of multiple compression looms large. Investors should tread carefully.
Stable Defense Alternatives to Palantir
As PLTR’s valuation moves higher, Lockheed Martin LMT and RTX Corporation RTX offer more grounded defense exposure. Lockheed Martin, with its massive defense contracts, provides steady cash flow and less volatility than PLTR. Its trailing 12-month price-to-earnings ratio is below 18X, and its forward 12-month multiple is just above 14X. Lockheed Martin continues to benefit from global rearmament while trading at modest earnings multiples.
Similarly, RTX shines through missile systems. RTX’s defense backlog, like LMT's, underscores its stability. Its trailing 12-month price-to-earnings ratio is below 44X, and its forward 12-month multiple is just above 23X.
PLTR’s Price Performance, Estimates
The stock has surged a whopping 97% year to date, significantly outperforming the industry’s 19% rally.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PLTR’s earnings has remained unchanged over the past 30 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
PLTR stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).
5 Stocks Set to Double
Each was handpicked by a Zacks expert as the #1 favorite stock to gain +100% or more in the coming year. While not all picks can be winners, previous recommendations have soared +112%, +171%, +209% and +232%.
Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor.
Today, See These 5 Potential Home Runs >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Palantir's Current Valuation: Stretched or Fully Justified?

General Dynamics Corporation GD reported second-quarter 2025 earnings per share (EPS) of $3.74, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.59 by 4.2%. The bottom line also increased 14.7% from $3.26 recorded in the year-ago quarter.
The year-over-year bottom-line appreciation can be attributed to revenue growth as well as an improvement in operating earnings.
Total Revenues of GD
Revenues of $13.04 billion beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $12.35 billion by 5.6%. The top line also improved 8.9% from the prior-year figure.
The year-over-year improvement can be attributed to increased revenues from all of GD’s business segments, except Combat Systems.
General Dynamics Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
GD’s Segmental Performance
Aerospace: The segment reported revenues of $3.06 billion, up 4.1% year over year. Operating earnings of $403 million improved 26.3% year over year.
Marine Systems: This segment’s revenues surged 22.2% from the year-ago quarter’s level to $4.22 billion. Operating earnings of $291 million improved 18.8% year over year.
Technologies: Revenues from this segment improved 5.5% year over year to $3.48 billion. Operating earnings totaled $332 million, which improved 3.8% year over year.
Combat Systems: The segmental top line of $2.28 billion slipped 0.2% from the year-ago quarter’s level. Operating earnings improved 3.54% year over year to $324 million.
Operational Highlights of GD
Operating earnings totaled $1.31 billion, up 12.9% from the year-ago quarter’s $1.04 billion.
Operating costs and expenses increased 8.5% year over year to $11.74 billion.
Interest expenses increased 4.8% year over year to $88 million.
GD’s Backlog
General Dynamics recorded a total backlog of $103.68 billion, much higher than the first-quarter 2025 level of $88.66 billion. The funded backlog at the end of the quarter was $83.88 billion.
Our model projected a backlog of $88.28 billion for the second quarter.
Financial Condition of GD
As of June 29, 2025, cash and cash equivalents totaled $1.52 billion compared with $1.70 billion as of Dec. 31, 2024.
The long-term debt as of the same date was $7.51 billion, higher than the 2024-end debt level of $7.26 billion.
During the first six months of 2025, cash generated by operating activities totaled $1.45 billion compared with $0.54 billion in the year-ago period.
GD’s Zacks Rank
General Dynamics currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Recent Defense Releases
Lockheed Martin Corporation LMT reported second-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of $7.29 per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.49 by 12.3%. The bottom line increased 2.5% from the year-ago quarter's reported figure of $7.11.
Net sales were $18.16 billion, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $18.56 billion by 2.2%. The top line, however, inched up 0.2% from $18.12 billion in the year-ago quarter.
Northrop Grumman Corporation NOC reported second-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of $7.11 per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.71 by 6%.
NOC’s total sales of $10.35 billion beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $10.06 billion by 2.9%. The top line also rose 1.3% from $10.22 billion reported in the year-ago quarter.
RTX Corporation’s RTX second-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.56 beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.45 by 7.6%. The bottom line also improved 10.6% from the year-ago quarter’s level of $1.41, driven by growth in adjusted operating profit.
RTX’s second-quarter sales totaled $21.58 billion, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $20.53 billion by 5.1%. The top line also surged a solid 9.4% from $19.72 billion recorded for the second quarter of 2024.
5 Stocks Set to Double
Each was handpicked by a Zacks expert as the #1 favorite stock to gain +100% or more in the coming year. While not all picks can be winners, previous recommendations have soared +112%, +171%, +209% and +232%.
Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor.
Today, See These 5 Potential Home Runs >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

General Dynamics' Q2 Earnings & Revenues Beat Estimates, Improve Y/Y

The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) Tuesday closed up +0.06%, the Dow Jones Industrials Index ($DOWI) (DIA) closed up +0.40%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) closed down -0.50%. September E-mini S&P futures (ESU25) rose +0.01%, and September E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQU25) fell -0.52%.
Stock indexes settled mixed on Tuesday. On the positive side, D.R. Horton rallied more than +16% to lead home builders higher after reporting stronger-than-expected Q3 net sales and raising its full-year revenue forecast. Also, Northrop Grumman rose more than +9% after boosting its full-year adjusted EPS forecast. In addition, bond yields fell on Tuesday, supporting stocks after Treasury Secretary Bessent said, "He sees no reason for Fed Chair Powell to step down right now." The 10-year T-note yield fell -4 bp to a 1.5-week low of 4.34%.
Join 200K+ Subscribers: Find out why the midday Barchart Brief newsletter is a must-read for thousands daily.
Positive trade comments from Treasury Secretary Bessent on Tuesday were supportive for stocks when he said, "trade is in a very good place with China," and he will meet his Chinese counterparts in Stockholm next week. He also said he believes the US "will likely extend" its trade truce with China past the August 12 deadline of the current truce.
Weighing on the Nasdaq 100 index Tuesday was weakness in semiconductor stocks. Also, Lockheed Martin dropped more than -10% after reporting weaker-than-expected Q2 net sales and cutting its full-year EPS estimate. In addition, General Motors fell more than -7% after forecasting full-year EBIT below analysts' estimates.
Tuesday's US economic news was bearish for stocks after the July Richmond Fed manufacturing index unexpectedly fell -12 to an 11-month low of -20, weaker than expectations of an increase to -2.
Recent trade news has put some downward pressure on stocks. Last Wednesday, President Trump announced that he intends to send a tariff letter to more than 150 countries, notifying them that their tariff rates could be 10% or 15%, effective August 1. Also, President Trump recently announced that the US will impose 30% tariffs on US imports from the European Union and Mexico, effective August 1. In addition, Mr. Trump said that a 35% tariff on some Canadian products would take effect on August 1, up from the current 25%.
The markets this week will focus on any tariff news along with the announcement of any new trade deals. On Wednesday, June existing home sales are expected to fall -0.7% m/m to 4.00 million. On Thursday, weekly initial unemployment claims are expected to climb by +6,000 to 227,000. Also, the July S&P US manufacturing PMI is expected to slip -0.4 to 52.5. Finally, on Thursday, June new home sales are expected to climb +4.3% m/m to 650,000. On Friday, June capital goods new orders nondefense ex-aircraft and parts are expected to increase by +0.2% m/m.
Federal funds futures prices are discounting the chances for a -25 bp rate cut at 5% at the July 29-30 FOMC meeting and 58% at the following meeting on September 16-17.
The markets are awaiting a heavy slate of quarterly corporate earnings results this week, including Alphabet and Tesla on Wednesday. About one-fifth of the companies in the S&P 500 are expected to report their Q2 earnings results this week. Early results now show S&P 500 earnings are on track to rise +3.2% for the second quarter, better than the pre-season expectations of +2.8% y/y, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. Also, only six of the eleven S&P 500 sectors are projected to post an increase in earnings, the fewest since Q1 of 2023, according to Yardeni Research.
Overseas stock markets on Tuesday settled mixed. The Euro Stoxx 50 fell to a 2-week low and closed down -0.98%. China's Shanghai Composite climbed to a 9.5-month high and closed up +0.62%. Japan's Nikkei Stock 225 fell from a 3-week high and closed down -0.11%.
Interest Rates
September 10-year T-notes (ZNU25) Tuesday closed up +7 ticks. The 10-year T-note yield fell -4.0 bp to 4.338%. T-notes recovered from overnight losses and climbed to a 2.5-week high, and the 10-year T-note yield fell to a 1.5-week low of 4.326% on comments from Treasury Secretary Bessent, who said "he sees no reason for Fed Chair Powell to step down right now." T-notes extended their gains after the July Richmond Fed manufacturing index unexpectedly fell to an 11-month low. T-notes also garnered carryover support Tuesday from a rally in 10-year German bunds to a 2-week high.
European government bond yields on Tuesday moved lower. The 10-year German bund yield fell to a 2-week low of 2.585% and finished down -2.3 bp to 2.590%. The 10-year UK gilt yield fell -3.4 bp to 4.569%.
The ECB's quarterly Bank Lending Survey stated that "Loan demand was supported by declining interest rates, but dampened by global uncertainty and trade tensions, and while lenders saw a 'slight net increase' in loan demand in Q2, the uptake remained weak overall."
Swaps are discounting the chances at 1% for a -25 bp rate cut by the ECB at Thursday's policy meeting.
US Stock Movers
Weakness in chip stocks was a negative factor for the overall market on Tuesday, with KLA Corp (KLAC) closing down more than -4% to lead losers in the Nasdaq 100. Also, Lam Research (LRCX), ARM Holdings Plc (ARM), Micron Technology (MU), and Broadcom (AVGO) closed down more than +3%. In addition, Nvidia (NVDA) closed down more than -2% to lead losers in the Dow Jones Industrials, and Analog Devices (ADI) and Applied Materials (AMAT) closed down more than -2%.
D.R. Horton (DHI) surged more than +16% to lead homebuilders higher after reporting Q3 net sales of 23,071, better than the consensus of 22,017, and raising its full-year revenue forecast to $33.7 billion-$34.2 billion from a previous estimate of $33.3 billion-$34.8 billion, the midpoint above the consensus of $33.84 billion. Also, PulteGroup (PHM) closed up more than +11%, and Lennar (LEN) and Toll Brothers (TOL) closed up more than +8%.
IQVIA Holdings (IQV) closed up more than +17% to lead gainers in the S&P 500 after reporting Q2 revenue of $4.02 billion, above the consensus of $3.96 billion.
Northrop Grumman (NOC) closed up more than +9% after boosting its full-year adjusted EPS forecast to $25.00-$25.40 from a previous forecast of $24.95-$25.35, the midpoint above the consensus of $25.17.
Quest Diagnostics (DGX) closed up more than +7% after reporting Q2 adjusted EPS of $2.62, better than the consensus of $2.58, and raising its full-year adjusted EPS estimate to $9.63-$9.83 from a previous estimate of $9.55-$9.80.
Genuine Parts Co (GPC) closed up more than +7% after reporting Q2 net sales of $6.20 billion, better than the consensus of $6.11 billion.
PACCAR Inc. (PCAR) closed up more than +6% to lead gainers in the Nasdaq 100 after raising the lower end of its full-year capex estimate to $750 million-$800 million from a previous forecast of $700 million-$800 million.
United Natural Foods (UNFI) closed up more than +3% after Northcoast Research upgraded the stock to buy from neutral with a price target of $36.
Lockheed Martin (LMT) closed down more than -10% to lead losers in the S&P 500 after reporting Q2 net sales of $18.16 billion, weaker than the consensus of $18.53 billion, and cut its full-year EPS estimate to $21.70-$22.00 from a previous estimate of $27.00-$27.30.
General Motors (GM) closed down more than -8% after forecasting full-year adjusted EBIT of $10.00 billion to $11.37 billion, with the midpoint below the consensus of $11.37 billion.
Equifax (EFX) closed down more than -8% after forecasting Q3 adjusted EPS of $1.87-$1.97, below the consensus of $1.99.
Phillip Morris International (PM) closed down more than -8% after forecasting full-year organic revenue to climb +6% to +8%, weaker than the consensus of +8.29%.
Circle Internet Group (CRCL) closed down more than -8% after Compass Point Research & Trading LLC downgraded the stock to sell from neutral with a price target of $130.
MSCI Inc (MSCI) closed down more than -8% after reporting Q2 net new recurring subscription sales of $43.8 million, weaker than the consensus of $46.6 million.
Earnings Reports (7/23/2025)
Alphabet Inc (GOOGL), Amphenol Corp (APH), AT&T Inc (T), Boston Scientific Corp (BSX), Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc (CMG), CME Group Inc (CME), Crown Castle Inc (CCI), CSX Corp (CSX), Fiserv Inc (FI), Freeport-McMoRan Inc (FCX), GE Vernova Inc (GEV), General Dynamics Corp (GD), Globe Life Inc (GL), Hasbro Inc (HAS), Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc (HLT), International Business Machine (IBM), Lamb Weston Holdings Inc (LW), Las Vegas Sands Corp (LVS), Lennox International Inc (LII), Molina Healthcare Inc (MOH), Moody's Corp (MCO), NextEra Energy Inc (NEE), Northern Trust Corp (NTRS), NVR Inc (NVR), O'Reilly Automotive Inc (ORLY), Otis Worldwide Corp (OTIS), Packaging Corp of America (PKG), Raymond James Financial Inc (RJF), Rollins Inc (ROL), ServiceNow Inc (NOW), TE Connectivity PLC (TEL), Teledyne Technologies Inc (TDY), Tesla Inc (TSLA), Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc (TMO), T-Mobile US Inc (TMUS), United Rentals Inc (URI).
On the date of publication, Rich Asplund did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Nasdaq Pressured by Chip Stocks, But Broad Market Supported by Lower T-note Yields

Key Points
RTX beat expectations but lowered full-year guidance due to tariffs.
The company had telegraphed the tariff effect, and RTX's long-term bull case remains in place.
Aerospace conglomerate RTX (NYSE: RTX) beat quarterly expectations but warned today that tariffs and taxes will take their toll in the quarters to come. The stock is under pressure on Tuesday and is down 2% as of 12:30 ET.
Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue »
Strong commercial sales
RTX was formed from the merger of defense-focused Raytheon and the largely commercial aerospace business of United Technologies. It earned $1.56 per share in the second quarter on revenue of $21.6 billion, topping Wall Street's consensus estimate for $1.43 per share on $20.6 billion in sales. Revenue was up 9% year over year, driven by strong double-digit growth on the commercial side.
RTX and other commercial aerospace companies are benefiting from issues getting new planes to market, which has boosted demand for spare parts. The company's Pratt & Whitney aircraft engine business grew sales by 19% in the quarter, while its defense business was up 6%.
The only issue was guidance. Management hiked its full-year sales guidance by nearly $2 billion to a range of $84.75 billion to $85.5 billion, above the $84.3 billion consensus. But guidance for earnings per share was reduced to a range of $5.80 to $5.95, from $6 to $6.15, on tariff impact and tax estimate revisions.
Is RTX stock a buy?
The new earnings guidance should not have come as a surprise. In its previous estimate, RTX had warned of upward of a $0.50 per share effect from tariffs. The new guidance is an attempt to be more precise, baking the impact into the forecast.
Pratt & Whitney is a formidable franchise, and with a commercial-plane backlog stretching to near the end of the decade, there is a lot of potential for sales growth from here. Investors shouldn't dwell on the guidance revision when considering RTX stock.
Should you invest $1,000 in RTX right now?
Before you buy stock in RTX, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and RTX wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $665,092!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,050,477!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 1,055% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 180% for the S&P 500. Don’t miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor.
*Stock Advisor returns as of July 21, 2025
Lou Whiteman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends RTX. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Why RTX Stock Is Down Today

The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) today is down -0.10%, the Dow Jones Industrials Index ($DOWI) (DIA) is up +0.04%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) is down -0.47%. September E-mini S&P futures (ESU25) are down -0.14%, and September E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQU25) are down -0.52%.
Stock indexes today are moving lower on some disappointing quarterly earnings results. NXP Semiconductors is down more than -2% to lead chip makers lower and weigh on the overall market after issuing a Q3 revenue forecast that missed some bullish analysts' estimates. Also, General Motors is down more than -7% after forecasting full-year EBIT below analysts' estimates. In addition, Lockheed Martin is down more than -5% after reporting weaker-than-expected Q2 net sales and cutting its full-year EPS estimate.
Join 200K+ Subscribers: Find out why the midday Barchart Brief newsletter is a must-read for thousands daily.
Today's US economic news was bearish for stocks after the July Richmond Fed manufacturing index unexpectedly fell -12 to an 11-month low of -20, weaker than expectations of an increase to -2.
On the positive side, D.R. Horton is up more than +12% to lead home builders higher after reporting stronger-than-expected Q3 net sales and raising its full-year revenue forecast. Also, Northrop Grumman is up more than +8% after boosting its full year adjusted EPS forecast. In addition, bond yields fell from overnight highs and moved lower after Treasury Secretary Bessent said, "He sees no reason for Fed Chair Powell to step down right now." The 10-year T-note yield is down -4 bp to a 1.5-week low of 4.34%
Positive trade comments today from Treasury Secretary Bessent were supportive for stocks when he said, "trade is in a very good place with China," and he will meet his Chinese counterparts in Stockholm next week. He also said he believes the US "will likely extend" its trade truce with China past the August 12 deadline of the current truce.
Recent trade news has put some downward pressure on stocks. Last Wednesday, President Trump announced that he intends to send a tariff letter to more than 150 countries, notifying them that their tariff rates could be 10% or 15%, effective August 1. Also, President Trump recently announced that the US will impose 30% tariffs on US imports from the European Union and Mexico, effective August 1. In addition, Mr. Trump said that a 35% tariff on some Canadian products would take effect on August 1, up from the current 25%.
The markets this week will focus on any tariff news along with the announcement of any new trade deals. On Wednesday, June existing home sales are expected to fall -0.7% m/m to 4.00 million. On Thursday, weekly initial unemployment claims are expected to climb by +6,000 to 227,000. Also, the July S&P US manufacturing PMI is expected to slip -0.4 to 52.5. Finally, on Thursday, June new home sales are expected to climb +4.3% m/m to 650,000. On Friday, June capital goods new orders nondefense ex-aircraft and parts are expected to increase by +0.2% m/m.
Federal funds futures prices are discounting the chances for a -25 bp rate cut at 5% at the July 29-30 FOMC meeting and 58% at the following meeting on September 16-17.
The markets are awaiting a heavy slate of quarterly corporate earnings results this week, including Alphabet and Tesla on Wednesday. About one-fifth of the companies in the S&P 500 are expected to report their Q2 earnings results this week. Early results now show S&P 500 earnings are on track to rise +3.2% for the second quarter, better than the pre-season expectations of +2.8% y/y, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. Also, only six of the eleven S&P 500 sectors are projected to post an increase in earnings, the fewest since Q1 of 2023, according to Yardeni Research.
Overseas stock markets today are mixed. The Euro Stoxx 50 fell to a 2-week low and is down -0.90%. China's Shanghai Composite climbed to a 9.5-month high and closed up +0.62%. Japan's Nikkei Stock 225 fell from a 3-week high and closed down -0.11%.
Interest Rates
September 10-year T-notes (ZNU25) today are up +6 ticks. The 10-year T-note yield is down -4.1 bp to 4.337%. T-notes recovered from overnight losses and climbed to a 1.5-week high, and the 10-year T-note yield fell to a 1.5-week low of 4.336% on comments from Treasury Secretary Bessent, who said "he sees no reason for Fed Chair Powell to step down right now." T-notes extended their gains after the July Richmond Fed manufacturing index unexpectedly fell to an 11-month low. T-notes also garnered carryover support today from a rally in 10-year German bunds to a 2-week high.
European government bond yields today are moving lower. The 10-year German bund yield fell to a 2-week low of 2.588% and is down -2.4 bp to 2.589%. The 10-year UK gilt yield is down -3.5 bp to 4.568%.
The ECB's quarterly Bank Lending Survey stated that "Loan demand was supported by declining interest rates, but dampened by global uncertainty and trade tensions, and while lenders saw a 'slight net increase' in loan demand in Q2, the uptake remained weak overall."
Swaps are discounting the chances at 1% for a -25 bp rate cut by the ECB at Thursday's policy meeting.
US Stock Movers
Weakness in chip stocks is a negative factor for stocks today, with NXP Semiconductors NV (NXPI) down more than -2% after forecasting Q3 revenue of $3.05 billion to $3.25 billion, below the whisper number of $3.30 billion. Also, ARM Holdings Plc (ARM) is down more than -4% to lead losers in the Nasdaq 100, and Micron Technology (MU) is down more than +3%. In addition, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Nvidia (NVDA), Applied Materials (AMAT), Broadcom (AVGO), Lam Research (LRCX), and KLA Corp (KLAC) are down more than -2%.
General Motors (GM) is down more than -7% to lead losers in the S&P 500 after forecasting full-year adjusted EBIT of $10.00 billion to $11.37 billion, with the midpoint below the consensus of $11.37 billion.
Equifax (EFX) is down more than -7% after forecasting Q3 adjusted EPS of $1.87-$1.97, below the consensus of $1.99.
Lockheed Martin (LMT) is down more than -6% after reporting Q2 net sales of $18.16 billion, weaker than the consensus of $18.53 billion, and cut its full-year EPS estimate to $21.70-$22.00 from a previous estimate of $27.00-$27.30.
Phillip Morris International (PM) is down more than -6% after forecasting full-year organic revenue to climb +6% to +8%, weaker than the consensus of +8.29%.
Sherwin-Williams (SHW) is down more than -3% top lead losers in the Dow Jones Industrials after reporting Q2 adjusted EPS of $3.38, weaker than the consensus of $3.81, and cutting its full-year adjusted EPS estimate to $11.20-$11.50 from a previous estimate of $11.65-$12.05, below the consensus of $11.87.
RTX Corp (RTX) is down more than -2% after cutting its full-year adjusted EPS forecast to $5.80-$5.95 from a previous forecast of $6.00-$6.15, weaker than the consensus of $5.98.
D.R. Horton (DHI) is up more than +13% to lead homebuilders higher after reporting Q3 net sales of 23,071, better than the consensus of 22,017, and raising its full-year revenue forecast to $33.7 billion-$34.2 billion from a previous estimate of $33.3 billion-$34.8 billion, the midpoint above the consensus of $33.84 billion. Also, PulteGroup (PHM) is up more than +8%, Lennar (LEN) is up more than +7%, and Toll Brothers (TOL) is up more than +6%.
IQVIA Holdings (IQV) is up more than +16% to lead gainers in the S&P 500 after reporting Q2 revenue of $4.02 billion, above the consensus of $3.96 billion.
Northrop Grumman (NOC) is up more than +9% after boosting its full-year adjusted EPS forecast to $25.00-$25.40 from a previous forecast of $24.95-$25.35, the midpoint above the consensus of $25.17.
Quest Diagnostics (DGX) is up more than +5% after reporting Q2 adjusted EPS of $2.62, better than the consensus of $2,58, and raising its full-year adjusted EPS estimate to $9.63-$9.83 from a previous estimate of $9.55-$9.80.
PACCAR Inc. (PCAR) is up more than +3% to lead gainers in the Nasdaq 100 after raising the lower end of its full-year capex estimate to $750 million-$800 million from a previous forecast of $700 million-$800 million.
Calix (CALX) is up more than +1% after reporting Q2 adjusted EPS of 33 cents, better than the consensus of 21 cents, and forecasting Q3 adjusted EPS of 31 cents-37 cents, stronger than the consensus of 23 cents.
Earnings Reports (7/22/2025)
Avery Dennison Corp (AVY), Baker Hughes Co (BKR), Capital One Financial Corp (COF), Chubb Ltd (CB), Coca-Cola Co/The (KO), CoStar Group Inc (CSGP), Danaher Corp (DHR), DR Horton Inc (DHI), Enphase Energy Inc (ENPH), EQT Corp (EQT), Equifax Inc (EFX), General Motors Co (GM), Genuine Parts Co (GPC), Halliburton Co (HAL), Interpublic Group of Cos Inc/The (IPG), Intuitive Surgical Inc (ISRG), Invesco Ltd (IVZ), IQVIA Holdings Inc (IQV), KeyCorp (KEY), Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT), MSCI Inc (MSCI), Northrop Grumman Corp (NOC), PACCAR Inc (PCAR), Pentair PLC (PNR), Philip Morris International In (PM), PulteGroup Inc (PHM), Quest Diagnostics Inc (DGX), RTX Corp (RTX), Sherwin-Williams Co/The (SHW), Synchrony Financial (SYF), Texas Instruments Inc (TXN).
On the date of publication, Rich Asplund did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Stocks Slip on Weakness in Chip Makers and Disappointing Earnings

The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) today is down -0.14%, the Dow Jones Industrials Index ($DOWI) (DIA) is up +0.26%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) is down -0.36%. September E-mini S&P futures (ESU25) are down -0.17%, and September E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQU25) are down -0.37%.
Stock indexes today are moving lower on some disappointing quarterly earnings results. NXP Semiconductors is down more than -2% to lead chip makers lower and weigh on the overall market after issuing a Q3 revenue forecast that missed some bullish analysts’ estimates. Also, Lockheed Martin is down more than -7% after reporting weaker-than-expected Q2 net sales and cutting its full-year EPS estimate. In addition, Sherwin-Williams is down more than -2% after reporting Q2 adjusted EPS below the consensus, and cutting its full-year adjusted EPS estimate.
Join 200K+ Subscribers: Find out why the midday Barchart Brief newsletter is a must-read for thousands daily.
On the positive side, D.R. Horton is up more than +10% to lead homebuilders higher after reporting stronger-than-expected Q3 net sales and raising its full-year revenue forecast. Also, Northrop Grumman is up more than +9% after boosting its full-year adjusted EPS forecast. In addition, bond yields fell from overnight highs and were slightly lower after Treasury Secretary Bessent said, “He sees no reason for Fed Chair Powell to step down right now.” The 10-year T-note yield is down -1 bp to 4.36%
Recent trade news has put some downward pressure on stocks. Last Wednesday, President Trump announced that he intends to send a tariff letter to more than 150 countries, notifying them that their tariff rates could be 10% or 15%, effective August 1. Also, President Trump recently announced that the US will impose 30% tariffs on US imports from the European Union and Mexico, effective August 1. In addition, Mr. Trump said that a 35% tariff on some Canadian products would take effect on August 1, up from the current 25%.
The markets this week will focus on any tariff news along with the announcement of any new trade deals. On Wednesday, June existing home sales are expected to fall -0.7% m/m to 4.00 million. On Thursday, weekly initial unemployment claims are expected to climb by +6,000 to 227,000. Also, the July S&P US manufacturing PMI is expected to slip -0.4 to 52.5. Finally, on Thursday, June new home sales are expected to climb +4.3% m/m to 650,000. On Friday, June capital goods new orders nondefense ex-aircraft and parts are expected to increase by +0.2% m/m.
Federal funds futures prices are discounting the chances for a -25 bp rate cut at 3% at the July 29-30 FOMC meeting and 58% at the following meeting on September 16-17.
The markets are awaiting a heavy slate of quarterly corporate earnings results this week, including Alphabet and Tesla on Wednesday. About one-fifth of the companies in the S&P 500 are expected to report their Q2 earnings results this week. Early results now show S&P 500 earnings are on track to rise +3.2% for the second quarter, better than the pre-season expectations of +2.8% y/y, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. Also, only six of the eleven S&P 500 sectors are projected to post an increase in earnings, the fewest since Q1 of 2023, according to Yardeni Research.
Overseas stock markets today are mixed. The Euro Stoxx 50 fell to a 2-week low and is down -0.64%. China’s Shanghai Composite climbed to a 9.5-month high and closed up +0.62%. Japan’s Nikkei Stock 225 fell from a 3-week high and closed down -0.11%.
Interest Rates
September 10-year T-notes (ZNU25) today are up +2 ticks. The 10-year T-note yield is down -1.4 bp to 4.364%. T-notes recovered from overnight losses and moved higher as short covering emerged on comments from Treasury Secretary Bessent, who said “he sees no reason for Fed Chair Powell to step down right now.” T-notes were under pressure due to concerns that President Trump would try to fire Powell, which could send bond yields sharply higher as investors question the Fed’s independence. T-notes also garnered carryover support today from a rally in 10-year German bunds to a 2-week high.
European government bond yields today are moving lower. The 10-year German bund yield fell to a 2-week low of 2.600% and is down -1.0 bp to 2.603%. The 10-year UK gilt yield is down -0.6 bp to 4.597%.
The ECB’s quarterly Bank Lending Survey stated that “Loan demand was supported by declining interest rates, but dampened by global uncertainty and trade tensions, and while lenders saw a 'slight net increase' in loan demand in Q2, the uptake remained weak overall.”
Swaps are discounting the chances at 1% for a -25 bp rate cut by the ECB at Thursday’s policy meeting.
US Stock Movers
Weakness in chip stocks is a negative factor for stocks today, with NXP Semiconductors NV (NXPI) down more than -2% after forecasting Q3 revenue of $3.05 billion to $3.25 billion, below the whisper number of $3.30 billion. Also, ARM Holdings Plc (ARM) and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) are down more than -4%, and Nvidia (NVDA), Broadcom (AVGO), Lam Research (LRCX), and Micron Technology (MU) are down more than +3%. In addition, Marvell Technology (MRVL), Applied Materials (AMAT), and KLA Corp (KLAC) are down more than -2%.
Phillip Morris International (PM) is down more than -7% to lead losers in the S&P 500 after forecasting full-year organic revenue to climb +6% to +8%, weaker than the consensus of +8.29%.
Lockheed Martin (LMT) is down more than -7% after reporting Q2 net sales of $18.16 billion, weaker than the consensus of $18.53 billion, and cut its full-year EPS estimate to $21.70-$22.00 from a previous estimate of $27.00-$27.30.
Equifax (EFX) is down more than -7% after forecasting Q3 adjusted EPS of $1.87-$1.97, below the consensus of $1.99.
General Motors (GM) is down more than -6% after forecasting full-year adjusted EBIT of $10.00 billion to $11.37 billion, with the midpoint below the consensus of $11.37 billion.
RTX Corp (RTX) is down more than -3% after cutting its full-year adjusted EPS forecast to $5.80-$5.95 from a previous forecast of $6.00-$6.15, weaker than the consensus of $5.98.
Sherwin-Williams (SHW) is down more than -2% after reporting Q2 adjusted EPS of $3.38, weaker than the consensus of $3.81, and cutting its full-year adjusted EPS estimate to $11.20-$11.50 from a previous estimate of $11.65-$12.05, below the consensus of $11.87.
D.R. Horton (DHI) is up more than +10% to lead homebuilders higher after reporting Q3 net sales of 23,071, better than the consensus of 22,017, and raising its full-year revenue forecast to $33.7 billion-$34.2 billion from a previous estimate of $33.3 billion-$34.8 billion, the midpoint above the consensus of $33.84 billion. Also, PulteGroup (PHM) is up more than +7%, Lennar (LEN) is up more than +6%, and Toll Brothers (TOL) is up more than +4%.
IQVIA Holdings (IQV) is up more than +14% to lead gainers in the S&P 500 after reporting Q2 revenue of $4.02 billion, above the consensus of $3.96 billion.
Northrop Grumman (NOC) is up more than +9% after boosting its full-year adjusted EPS forecast to $25.00-$25.40 from a previous forecast of $24.95-$25.35, the midpoint above the consensus of $25.17.
PACCAR Inc. (PCAR) is up more than +4% to lead gainers in the Nasdaq 100 after raising the lower end of its full-year capex estimate to $750 million-$800 million from a previous forecast of $700 million-$800 million.
CSX Corp (CSX) is up more than +2% after Semafor reported that BNSF is working with Goldman Sachs to explore a takeover of a rival.
Calix (CALX) is up more than +1% after reporting Q2 adjusted EPS of 33 cents, better than the consensus of 21 cents, and forecasting Q3 adjusted EPS of 31 cents-37 cents, stronger than the consensus of 23 cents.
Earnings Reports (7/22/2025)
Avery Dennison Corp (AVY), Baker Hughes Co (BKR), Capital One Financial Corp (COF), Chubb Ltd (CB), Coca-Cola Co/The (KO), CoStar Group Inc (CSGP), Danaher Corp (DHR), DR Horton Inc (DHI), Enphase Energy Inc (ENPH), EQT Corp (EQT), Equifax Inc (EFX), General Motors Co (GM), Genuine Parts Co (GPC), Halliburton Co (HAL), Interpublic Group of Cos Inc/The (IPG), Intuitive Surgical Inc (ISRG), Invesco Ltd (IVZ), IQVIA Holdings Inc (IQV), KeyCorp (KEY), Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT), MSCI Inc (MSCI), Northrop Grumman Corp (NOC), PACCAR Inc (PCAR), Pentair PLC (PNR), Philip Morris International In (PM), PulteGroup Inc (PHM), Quest Diagnostics Inc (DGX), RTX Corp (RTX), Sherwin-Williams Co/The (SHW), Synchrony Financial (SYF), Texas Instruments Inc (TXN).
On the date of publication, Rich Asplund did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Stocks Pressured by Chip Stock Weakness

(RTTNews) - RTX Corporation (RTX) Tuesday reported net profit of $1.657 billion or $1.22 per share for the second quarter, significantly higher than $111 million or $0.08 per share in the comparable quarter last year. In the previous-year quarter, the company had recorded certain other expenses of $896 million.
Excluding one-time items, adjusted net income increased to $2.118 billion or $1.56 per share from $1.895 billion or $1.41 per share in the prior year. On average, 17 analysts expected earnings of $1.43 per share. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.
Operating income rose to $2.146 billion from $529 million last year.
Sales for the quarter grew to $21.581 billion from $19.721 billion in the previous year. The consensus estimate was for $20.63 billion.
For the full year, the company has lowered its adjusted EPS outlook to $5.80 - $5.95 from $6.00 - $6.15. Adjusted sales outlook has been raised to $84.75 billion - $85.5 billion from $83 billion - $84 billion.
Analysts expect the company to report earnings of $5.96 per share on revenue of $84.31 billion.
"Our updated outlook reflects strong operational performance in the first half and incorporates our current assessment of the impact of tariffs," said RTX Chairman and CEO Chris Calio.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

RTX Q2 Profit, Sales Improve Above View; Cuts Annual EPS Outlook

RTX (RTX) came out with quarterly earnings of $1.56 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.45 per share. This compares to earnings of $1.41 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.
This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +7.59%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this an aerospace and defense company would post earnings of $1.35 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.47, delivering a surprise of +8.89%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates four times.
RTX, which belongs to the Zacks Aerospace - Defense industry, posted revenues of $21.58 billion for the quarter ended June 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 5.12%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $19.72 billion. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates four times over the last four quarters.
The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.
RTX shares have added about 31% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 7.2%.
What's Next for RTX?
While RTX has outperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?
There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.
Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.
Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for RTX was unfavorable. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to underperform the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $1.45 on $20.96 billion in revenues for the coming quarter and $5.93 on $84.13 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.
Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Aerospace - Defense is currently in the bottom 37% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
Virgin Galactic (SPCE), another stock in the same industry, has yet to report results for the quarter ended June 2025.
This company is expected to post quarterly loss of $2.12 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +51.4%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.
Virgin Galactic's revenues are expected to be $0.4 million, down 90.5% from the year-ago quarter.
Should You Invest in RTX Corporation (RTX)?
Before you invest in RTX Corporation (RTX), want to know the best stocks to buy for the next 30 days? Check out Zacks Investment Research for our free report on the 7 best stocks to buy.
Zacks Investment Research has been committed to providing investors with tools and independent research since 1978. For more than a quarter century, the Zacks Rank stock-rating system has more than doubled the S&P 500 with an average gain of +24.08% per year. (These returns cover a period from January 1, 1988 through May 6, 2024.)
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

RTX (RTX) Q2 Earnings and Revenues Top Estimates

As global travel continues to soar and defense budgets swell amid rising geopolitical tensions, investor interest in aerospace stocks climbs steadily. Two major beneficiaries of these twin tailwinds are The Boeing Company BA and RTX Corporation RTX, both of which share overlapping growth drivers. Their complementary business models offer investors diversified exposure across the aerospace value chain.
Boeing’s commercial unit is rebounding as rising global air traffic drives demand for new jets, while its defense arm benefits from higher U.S. military spending. RTX’s diversified model sees strong growth across commercial engines and aftermarket services, alongside defense gains from an increase in missile, radar and space system modernization trends.
With long-term defense contracts churning into robust backlogs and expanding global demand for next-generation aerospace technologies both in combat and commercial aviation, BA and RTX are well-positioned to capitalize on the industry growth trends and offer compelling investment cases.
So, the inevitable question arises for an investor: Which stock offers a more attractive risk-reward profile? To answer that, we must dig deeper into their financial metrics and growth catalysts, as well as analyze risks associated with investing in them.
Financial Stability & Growth Drivers: BA vs RTX
As of the first quarter of 2025, Boeing held $23.67 billion in cash and equivalents against $7.93 billion in current debt, indicating its strong near-term solvency. The jet maker also narrowed its operating cash outflow to $1.62 billion from $3.36 billion a year ago, signaling steady financial recovery, especially in its commercial segment.
In contrast, RTX reported $5.16 billion in cash and equivalents, with $3.06 billion in current debt and $38.24 billion in long-term debt. Despite its heavier long-term debt load, the company maintains solid short-term liquidity to support continued investments in advanced defense systems and commercial engine technologies.
As far as growth catalysts are concerned, both BA and RTX are poised to benefit from the expanding U.S. defense budget. In May 2025, the White House proposed a 13% increase in defense spending to $1.01 trillion for FY26, emphasizing space dominance. Boeing and RTX, both with strong space programs, stand to gain. RTX’s Raytheon unit offers full-spectrum space solutions, from ground control to on-orbit sensors, while Boeing serves as the prime contractor for key components of the U.S. Space Launch System.
The proposal also allocated funding worth $3.1 billion for F-15EX fighter jet production and $3.5 billion for the Next Generation Air Dominance platform, both built by Boeing. On the other hand, RTX should benefit from the $3.9 billion in hypersonic weapons and $2.5 billion in missile production funding offered by the proposal.
On the commercial side, as global air traffic continues to rise, Boeing’s commercial revenues jumped 75% year over year in the first quarter on higher jet deliveries. RTX also posted 8% organic sales growth, driven by double-digit aftermarket sales and modest OEM sales growth. With the International Air Transport Association projecting 5.8% year-over-year passenger traffic growth in 2025, both companies are well positioned to capitalize on strengthening commercial aviation trends.
Risks of Investing in Boeing vs. RTX
Despite its reputation as a leading commercial jet maker, Boeing continues to grapple with execution and reputational risks stemming from persistent quality control issues, particularly within its 737 MAX and 787 programs. A labor strike in September 2024, compounded by these issues, led to a temporary production halt and a significant buildup of 737 inventory, driving up storage and maintenance costs and pressuring the company’s bottom line.
Meanwhile, both Boeing and RTX are contending with broader industry challenges, including ongoing supply-chain disruptions and labor shortages. According to the 2024 “On the Horizon” Workforce Study, Aerospace Industries Association’s member attrition averaged 13% over the past two years — substantially higher than the U.S. national average of 3.8%. This elevated turnover heightens the risk of production delays and quality setbacks for both BA and RTX, as experienced workers exit the workforce.
Additionally, severe supply-chain bottlenecks are expected to remain a key growth inhibitor for the commercial aviation sector in 2025. These constraints threaten to reduce aircraft delivery volumes for manufacturers like Boeing and, in turn, limit engine and systems deliveries for suppliers like RTX, potentially weighing on both companies’ operational performance.
How Do Zacks Estimates Compare for BA & RTX?
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Boeing’s 2025 sales implies a year-over-year rise of 28.1%, and the same for its loss also suggests an improvement. The stock’s annual bottom-line estimates have, however, moved south over the past 60 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RTX’s 2025 sales implies a year-over-year rise of 4.2%, while that for its earnings suggests growth of 3.5%. The stock’s annual bottom-line estimates have, however, moved south over the past 60 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Stock Price Performance: BA vs RTX
BA (up 33%) has outperformed RTX (up 26%) over the past three months, but has underperformed the same in the past year. Shares of BA have surged 22.9%, while those of RTX have grown 44.3% in the past year.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Valuation of BA More Attractive Than That of RTX
RTX is trading at a forward sales multiple of 2.33, above BA’s 1.89.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Conclusion
Both Boeing and RTX stand to benefit from robust defense spending and a resurgence in global air travel.
While RTX offers operational consistency and diversification, Boeing presents a more compelling risk-reward opportunity in 2025. Despite ongoing challenges — such as quality control issues and elevated production costs — Boeing is showing clear signs of recovery, with strong growth in commercial revenues, improved cash flow and its recent outperformance over RTX at the bourses.
For investors with a long-term horizon, Boeing’s cheaper valuation and commercial rebound make it the more lucrative investment choice in the aerospace sector at present.
While Boeing carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), RTX holds a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) currently.
Zacks' Research Chief Names "Stock Most Likely to Double"
Our team of experts has just released the 5 stocks with the greatest probability of gaining +100% or more in the coming months. Of those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian highlights the one stock set to climb highest.
This top pick is a little-known satellite-based communications firm. Space is projected to become a trillion dollar industry, and this company's customer base is growing fast. Analysts have forecasted a major revenue breakout in 2025. Of course, all our elite picks aren't winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks' Stocks Set to Double like Hims & Hers Health, which shot up +209%.
Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

RTX Corporation

Tech analysis