RTX Corp. (NYSE: RTX), a U.S. aerospace and defense manufacturer, raised its full-year sales and profit forecast as demand for military and commercial aerospace products continues to accelerate.
The company now expects adjusted earnings of $7.10 to $7.25 per share, up from a previous forecast of no more than $6.90 per share, surpassing the average analyst estimate.
RTX shares surged 8% at 9:35 a.m. in New York on Thursday, marking their largest intraday gain since October, following a 6.3% gain for the year through Wednesday’s close.
Despite the prior gains, the stock had been trailing the broader S&P 500 Index before Thursday’s sharp move higher changed the picture considerably.
RTX reported second-quarter revenue of $24.7 billion, representing a 14% increase, while adjusted earnings reached $1.89 per share, well above the $1.66 analysts had expected on average.
Chief Executive Officer Chris Calio said the stronger outlook reflected the company’s first-half performance and a backlog that had increased 22% from a year earlier.
Rising defense spending linked to the wars in Iran and Ukraine appears to be supporting robust demand for military equipment across RTX’s product lines.
A strong air travel market is simultaneously strengthening RTX’s commercial engine aftermarket business, giving the company a powerful dual tailwind heading into the second half of 2026.
RTX produces military hardware including Tomahawk cruise missiles and SM-6 air defense missiles and has been actively working with the U.S. military to ramp up production capacity.
Earlier in July, the company began feasibility studies to qualify additional European suppliers for priority missile components, including a partnership with Diehl Defence aimed at doubling Stinger missile production.
RTX has also held preliminary discussions with General Motors (NYSE: GM) about increasing domestic production, while Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) has reached a separate agreement with GM on similar objectives.
RTX is also expanding its use of artificial intelligence through its planned acquisition of Aiir Innovations, an Amsterdam-based company whose technology analyzes borescope videos during engine maintenance and may reduce tasks that previously required substantial time to just minutes.
