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On Tuesday, Citi analyst Jason Gursky upgraded RTX Corp (NYSE:RTX) stock rating from Neutral to Buy and increased the price target to $153 from the previous $132. The upgrade reflects growing confidence in the company's revenue, cash flow, and reduced risks associated with the Geared Turbofan (GTF) engine.
According to InvestingPro data, RTX has demonstrated strong revenue growth of 17.8% over the last twelve months, with a market capitalization of $161 billion. Gursky highlighted the potential for higher original equipment (OE) production rates in the coming years as labor relations stabilize and workforce experience increases, leading to improved productivity and quality. Want deeper insights? InvestingPro subscribers have access to over 10 additional exclusive tips and comprehensive financial metrics for RTX.
The analyst also noted that RTX is likely to see continued growth in its aftermarket segment. This growth is expected to be driven by higher passenger traffic, an uptick in refurbishment work on older aircraft, and the conclusion of a destocking process at distribution partners.
As a prominent player in the Aerospace & Defense industry, RTX has maintained dividend payments for 54 consecutive years, demonstrating remarkable financial stability. The defense sector also provides a strong outlook for RTX, with a robust backlog and increased capacity to execute on it.
Gursky addressed recent impacts on RTX's cash flow, attributing them to one-time events such as costs related to the GTF and contract terminations. However, he anticipates that normalizing for these factors and projecting around 10% growth in EBIT, the company is on track to generate approximately $10 billion in free cash flow (FCF) by the year 2027.
The upgrade by Citi comes at a time when RTX is poised to benefit from various positive industry dynamics. The forecast for higher production rates and aftermarket growth, coupled with the solid visibility in the defense segment, positions the company favorably for future financial performance. Gursky's analysis suggests that on a more normalized basis, RTX's fundamentals present a compelling valuation.
In other recent news, Raytheon Technologies Corp (RTX Corp) has been making significant strides in the defense and aerospace industry. The company has secured several contracts, including a $529 million contract to supply the Netherlands with a Patriot air and missile defense system fire unit, a $333 million contract from the U.S. Navy for the production of Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) Block IA, and a $946 million contract to deliver additional Patriot air and missile defense systems to Romania. These contracts underscore the company's robust market position and its pivotal role in enhancing global defense capabilities.
RTX Corp also reported strong third-quarter earnings with an adjusted earnings per share of $1.45 and an 8% increase in organic revenue. The company has revised its 2024 adjusted EPS guidance to a range of $5.50 to $5.58. These results reflect the company's solid financial performance.
In terms of analyst assessments, RBC Capital Markets, Bernstein, and BofA Securities have indicated their confidence in RTX Corp's future growth, upgrading the stock and raising price targets. However, Wizz Air, a client of Pratt & Whitney, a division of RTX Corp, has expressed concerns over ongoing issues with Pratt & Whitney engines, which are expected to persist for four to five years.
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