RTX Corporation raised its 2026 free cash flow forecast to $9 billion to $9.2 billion on Oct. 20, despite a 47% year-over-year decline in the third quarter.
RTX reported $2.119 billion in free cash flow for the quarter ended Sept. 30, down from $4.025 billion a year earlier. Operating cash flow fell to $2.868 billion from $4.639 billion, while capital spending rose to $749 million from $614 million.
The nine-month picture was stronger. Operating cash flow increased to $8.270 billion from $6.402 billion in the comparable period last year. After $1.964 billion in capital spending, RTX recorded $6.306 billion in free cash flow, up from $4.745 billion a year earlier. The company reports free cash flow as a non-GAAP measure.
The new annual range replaces a forecast of $8.5 billion to $8.75 billion. RTX also lifted its adjusted sales and earnings-per-share outlook for 2026, as detailed in earlier coverage of aerospace companies’ forecast increases.
The new annual outlook implies $2.694 billion–$2.894 billion in fourth-quarter free cash flow.
