RTX raises 2025 forecast as strong demand offsets tariff worries

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By Utkarsh Shetti and Mike Stone

(Reuters) -RTX raised its full-year profit and revenue forecast on Tuesday, as the aerospace and defense giant signals confidence in its ability to weather the impact of tariffs in the wake of rising demand for its missiles and aftermarket services.

The Trump administration’s trade war had pushed RTX to slash its profit outlook in July and expect $500 million in tariff costs this year.

But a shortage of new commercial jets has continued to drive sales at maintenance and repair service providers such as RTX, who are banking on airlines flying older, cost-intensive fleets.

RTX, which makes the GTF engines and competes with CFM International, has also benefited due to booming demand from planemakers as they ramp up production.

The company’s aerospace and avionics division Collins Aerospace posted a revenue of $7.62 billion in the quarter, up 8% from a year earlier.

Sales at its Pratt and Whitney unit, which produces engines for Airbus’ A320neo jets, rose 16% to $8.42 billion.

The company’s defense segment has also seen continued strength due to strong demand amid rapidly escalating geopolitical tensions.

Raytheon, RTX’s defense unit, reported a 10% rise in sales, predominantly from higher sales for its Patriot air defense systems which are being used on the battlefield in Ukraine.

RTX now expects its full-year adjusted sales between $86.5 billion and $87 billion, from its previous forecast of between $84.75 billion to $85.5 billion.

It also raised its adjusted profit forecast to between $6.10 and $6.20 per share for 2025, from $5.80 to $5.95.

The Arlington, Virginia-based company’s total revenue rose 12% to $22.48 billion in the third quarter.

Its adjusted per-share profit was $1.70, compared with $1.45 last year.

(Reporting by Utkarsh Shetti in Bengaluru and Mike Stone in Washington; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri)