<div id="readability-page-1"><div> <h2>Key Points</h2><ul><li>The recent pullback in RTX stock may be an inviting buying opportunity.</li><li>Even with that dip, RTX is beating the broader market and the industrial sector.</li><li>The fundamental case for owning durable defense stocks remains solid.</li><li>10 stocks we like better than RTX ›</li></ul>For investors, the war in Iran is delivering some predictable and some surprising outcomes. In the predictable camp, there's oil and traditional energy stocks. With crude prices surging due to the conflict, energy is the best-performing sector in the S&amp;P 500 this year, and the competition isn't close.Among the surprises are gold and consumer staples stocks, both of which are betraying their safe-haven reputation as war rages in the Middle East. Add RTX (NYSE: RTX) and other defense stocks to the list of surprises. Over the past month, shares of the missile manufacturer are off about 5.7%.Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an &#34;Indispensable Monopoly&#34; providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue »<img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-dXJsPWh0dHBzOi8vZy5mb29sY2RuLmNvbS9lZGl0b3JpYWwvaW1hZ2VzLzg2MzAxNi9nZXR0eWltYWdlcy0xODQ4NzQ1NDkuanBnJnc9NzAw?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="700" height="458" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-dXJsPWh0dHBzOi8vZy5mb29sY2RuLmNvbS9lZGl0b3JpYWwvaW1hZ2VzLzg2MzAxNi9nZXR0eWltYWdlcy0xODQ4NzQ1NDkuanBnJnc9NzAw"/>RTX stock isn't rising because of the war in Iran, but it's still a smart buy. Image source: Getty Images. Believe it or not, that's less bad than the nearly 8% drop incurred by the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace &amp; Defense Index over the same span. Even with that decline, RTX isn't in a correction, and it's nowhere close to entering a bear market. That's a relief and possibly an indication that opportunity is afoot with this industrial stock.<h2>Moving past disappointment with RTX</h2>Understandably, some investors are scratching their heads over the war-related benefits accruing to oil stocks and the lack of such perks for RTX and its competitors. It's disappointing for market participants who expected armed conflict to boost defense stocks, but not altogether surprising, because financial markets tend to look forward rather than get caught up in the moment. On that note, RTX and friends could benefit from the familiar theme of increased defense spending, which the war in Iran could catalyze. RTX investors may see that wish granted because the U.S. is deploying a massive amount of firepower in Iran, and much of it is manufactured by this company.In a report published on April 2, Melius Research estimated that Uncle Sam would need to spend $6 billion to restock the RTX-made ammunition and weapons, including an array of missiles, used in Operation Epic Fury, just to get back to pre-conflict levels. With that report nearly a week old and the war continuing, it's possible that the $6 billion estimate needs to be ratcheted up.A potential catalyst for this defense stock is that, when the war concludes, the federal government will take the opportunity to replenish military stockpiles to levels not seen before the conflict. That's not a stretch, given that the path of least resistance for defense spending in this country is higher. Specific to RTX, it makes critical missiles and related gear that need to be replaced. The government can't cut corners there.<h2>RTX could blast off again</h2>While investors wait for official announcements of fresh defense largess, they have reason to put the stock on their radars in the near term. RTX reports first-quarter results before the market opens on Tuesday, April 21. Earnings announcements are always important, but the upcoming one from RTX could be a crowd pleaser because the stock is on Morgan Stanley's list of 10 names reporting this month that could deliver surprises. Market participants who take a long view of RTX may find comfort in knowing that each of the company's three primary segments is considered to have a wide moat, confirming durable competitive advantages. Additionally, large-scale acquisitions are unlikely, indicating RTX is prioritizing firming its balance sheet, which could pave the way for its dividend increase streak to expand beyond the current level of six years.<h2>Should you buy stock in RTX right now?</h2> 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 $555,526!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,156,403!* Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 968% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 191% for the S&amp;P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of April 12, 2026. Todd Shriber has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and 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. </div></div>

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RTX stock has recently pulled back by about 5.7%, but it continues to outperform the broader market and the aerospace sector. Despite disappointing expectations for defense stocks amid the Iran conflict, increased defense spending could benefit RTX. Analysts estimate the U.S. may need to spend $6 billion to replenish RTX-made military supplies. Upcoming earnings reports may provide further insights, and while RTX is not on some analysts' top stock lists, its competitive advantages and potential for dividend growth remain appealing for long-term investors.

RTX Is Outperforming Everything. Is It Still the Smartest Buy Right Now?