Analysis of Market Impact from Geopolitical Turmoil
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 08 2026
0mins
Should l Buy RTX?
Source: CNBC
- Muted Market Reaction: Despite the military actions by the U.S. and Israel against Iran escalating geopolitical tensions, the S&P 500 showed minimal movement on the first trading day, indicating that investors are relatively unfazed by the conflict, which suggests a market resilience to short-term disruptions.
- Surging Oil Prices: U.S. oil prices surged above $90 per barrel last week, marking a 35% weekly increase, the largest since 1983, with analysts warning that a rise above $100 could trigger a global recession, necessitating close monitoring of oil price trends and their potential market impacts.
- Cautious Investor Sentiment: Although the market's response to geopolitical events has been tepid, analysts caution that investors may become complacent due to frequent geopolitical occurrences, potentially overlooking larger risks in the future, particularly regarding tensions between China and Taiwan.
- Defense Stocks Rally: As the conflict continues, defense stocks such as RTX, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman have risen between 2.1% and 4.4% over the past week, reflecting market expectations for increased defense spending, prompting investors to keep an eye on the performance of related equities.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy RTX?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on RTX
Wall Street analysts forecast RTX stock price to fall
14 Analyst Rating
9 Buy
5 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 196.420
Low
168.00
Averages
195.77
High
215.00
Current: 196.420
Low
168.00
Averages
195.77
High
215.00
About RTX
RTX Corporation is an aerospace and defense company, which provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military, and government customers worldwide. The Company operates through three segments: Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon. Collins Aerospace segment provides technologically advanced aerospace and defense products and aftermarket service solutions for civil and military aircraft manufacturers, commercial airlines, and regional, business and general aviation, as well as for defense and commercial space operations. The Pratt & Whitney segment supplies aircraft engines for commercial, military, business jet, and general aviation customers. The Raytheon segment provides defensive and offensive threat detection, tracking and mitigation capabilities for the United States and foreign government and commercial customers. The Raytheon designs, develops, and provides advanced capabilities in integrated air and missile defense, smart weapons, missiles and others.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
- Earnings Report Announcement: RTX Corporation is scheduled to report its quarterly financial results on April 15, 2026, which could significantly impact investors, particularly in the current market environment where performance metrics are crucial.
- Investment Recommendation Analysis: The Motley Fool's analyst team has identified 10 top stocks for investors to consider, notably excluding RTX, which may reflect a cautious market sentiment regarding its future growth potential, prompting investors to reassess its investment value.
- Historical Performance Comparison: The Motley Fool's Stock Advisor service boasts an average return of 1,016% since inception, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 197%, indicating the potential profitability of its recommended stocks, which investors should take into account.
- Market Competition Dynamics: With intensifying competition in AI technology and the semiconductor industry, RTX's financial performance will be closely monitored, especially regarding its technological dependencies on industry giants like Nvidia and Intel, which could influence its market position and investor confidence.
See More
- Early Delivery: Raytheon has delivered its first Next Generation Jammer pods to the Royal Australian Air Force ahead of schedule in September 2025 under a joint development and production program with Australia and the U.S. Navy, indicating strong international demand for advanced electronic warfare systems.
- Enhanced Operational Capability: The jammer pods are designed to improve the survivability and mission effectiveness of military aircraft by helping crews operate with reduced detection risk, thereby reinforcing Raytheon's market position in the defense procurement sector.
- Ongoing Support: In addition to the deliveries, Raytheon is providing deployment and maintenance support in Australia, ensuring the long-term operational effectiveness of the systems, which enhances customer trust and promotes future business growth.
- International Collaboration: This program highlights the increasing defense spending by U.S. allies, with Raytheon's close collaboration with the U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Air Force further driving interoperability with American platforms and signaling potential for more international contract opportunities.
See More
- Optimistic Earnings Forecast: RTX is expected to report Q1 EPS of $1.52, reflecting a 3.4% increase, with revenue anticipated to rise nearly 6% to $21.47 billion, indicating robust demand in the defense and aerospace sectors.
- Rising Market Demand: Escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran have led to increased demand for missiles, radar systems, and interceptors, positioning RTX favorably as a prime contractor for the Pentagon.
- Increased Contract Signings: RTX has recently signed contracts to supply Patriot interceptors to Ukraine and the Netherlands, which not only strengthens its market position but also has the potential to drive future revenue growth.
- Enhanced Investor Confidence: RBC analysts believe that RTX's backlog growth in upcoming quarters will bolster investor confidence in revenues for 2026-2027, despite the current administration's focus on reducing dividends and stock buybacks.
See More
- Market Reaction Analysis: Last week, despite a perceived easing of tensions in the Middle East, RTX's stock fell by 2.55%, indicating complex market sentiments towards defense stocks, as investors may believe RTX needs the war to continue for its stock price to rise.
- Surge in Orders: Due to the increased demand for missiles driven by the war, RTX has secured government orders to double its annual production of Tomahawk missiles from 500 to 1000 units, highlighting the company's critical role in national defense.
- Production Capacity Expansion: RTX has committed to quadrupling production rates in some cases to meet the U.S. government's demand for air-to-air and interceptor missiles, underscoring the strategic importance of the company in defense rearmament efforts.
- Manufacturing Revival: With production facilities located in Alabama, Arizona, and Massachusetts, RTX reflects the U.S. government's focus on revitalizing domestic manufacturing, which could yield long-term economic benefits for the company.
See More
- Delivery Milestone: Raytheon has delivered its first Next Generation Jammer (NGJ) pods to the Royal Australian Air Force, marking a significant advancement in collaboration with the U.S. Navy and RAAF, expected to enhance Australia's electronic warfare capabilities.
- Technological Advantage: The NGJ system features active electronically scanned arrays that disrupt enemy radar and communication systems, allowing aircrews to remain undetected during missions, thereby increasing safety and effectiveness.
- Early Delivery: The first set of equipment was delivered ahead of schedule in September 2025, with future deliveries continuing through 2026, demonstrating Raytheon's efficiency in project management and production capabilities.
- On-Site Support: Raytheon will also provide on-site deployment and maintenance support in Australia to ensure operational and mission readiness, thereby enhancing the operational capabilities of the Australian Air Force.
See More
- Market Reaction: U.S. stock index futures dipped on Monday after last week's record rally on Wall Street, with the Dow futures down 303 points or 0.61%, as dimming prospects of the Iran conflict prompted investors to curb their risk appetite.
- Oil Price Surge: Oil prices jumped 5% on Monday following Iran's reclosure of the Strait of Hormuz, with U.S. energy stocks rising in premarket trading, as Exxon Mobil and Chevron gained 2% and 1.9% respectively, indicating market concerns over supply disruptions.
- Volatility Index Rise: The CBOE Volatility Index (.VIX) rebounded after falling for eight consecutive sessions, last up 2.25 points to 19.73, marking a one-week high, reflecting increased market anxiety about future uncertainties.
- Earnings Focus: Investors are keenly awaiting upcoming earnings reports from defense giants like Lockheed Martin and RTX, as well as tech stocks such as Tesla, to assess the impact of the Iran conflict on corporate results and the broader economy.
See More











