Key Moments
- RTX climbed 2.0% in pre-market trading after reporting third-quarter 2026 results that exceeded analyst expectations on revenue and earnings.
- Adjusted EPS of $2.26 surpassed the $1.78 consensus by $0.48, while revenue reached $25.0 billion, up 11% from the prior year and above the $24.09 billion estimate.
- The company raised its full-year 2026 adjusted EPS outlook and reported a record $340 billion backlog supported by over $81 billion in new awards.
Stronger-Than-Expected Q3 2026 Performance
RTX shares advanced 2.0% in pre-open trading after the parent of Pratt & Whitney and Raytheon reported third-quarter 2026 results that beat analyst projections on both earnings and revenue, while also lifting its full-year financial guidance.
Adjusted earnings per share were reported at $2.26, exceeding the consensus estimate of $1.78 by $0.48. Quarterly revenue came in at $25.0 billion, ahead of the $24.09 billion expected by analysts and representing an 11% increase compared with the same period a year earlier.
| Metric | Reported Q3 2026 | Analyst Consensus | Year-over-Year Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adjusted EPS | $2.26 | $1.78 | – |
| Revenue | $25.0 billion | $24.09 billion | 11% growth |
Upgraded 2026 Outlook
The guidance revision appeared to be a key driver of investor enthusiasm. RTX increased its full-year 2026 adjusted EPS forecast to a range of $7.65–$7.75, up from its earlier outlook of $7.10–$7.25. The revised midpoint of $7.70 stands notably above the $7.25 analyst consensus.
| Full-Year 2026 Adjusted EPS Guidance | Prior Range | New Range | Analyst Consensus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outlook | $7.10–$7.25 | $7.65–$7.75 | $7.25 |
Backlog Strength and New Awards
RTX also disclosed a record backlog of $340 billion, supported by more than $81 billion in new commercial and defense awards. This backlog figure was presented as an indication of robust and visible future revenue streams.
CEO Chris Calio stated that strong execution contributed to double-digit organic sales growth across both commercial aerospace and defense businesses.
Javelin Contract Adds to Momentum
Investor sentiment received an additional boost from a recent contract win. The U.S. Army awarded the Javelin Joint Venture – a collaboration between RTX’s Raytheon segment and Lockheed Martin – a $215 million production contract for next-generation Javelin launchers just one day earlier.
RTX Outperforms a Softer Market
The move in RTX occurred against a largely unsupportive broader equity backdrop. The S&P 500 edged slightly lower and the Nasdaq posted a modest decline, indicating that the pre-market advance in RTX was driven primarily by company-specific factors.
Peers in the aerospace and defense group were also in focus, as GE Aerospace and Northrop Grumman reported their own third-quarter results on the same morning, keeping attention on the sector.
Why the Stock Is Rallying
The combination of a solid earnings and revenue beat, a meaningful upgrade to full-year guidance, a record backlog, and a fresh U.S. Army contract created a strong fundamental backdrop for RTX in pre-market trading. These factors enabled the stock to outperform a flat-to-negative broader market environment.
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