Core Insights - RTX is recognized as a defensive stock due to the recession-resistant nature of its defense business, providing stability to earnings and dividends [1] - The stock has surged by 38% over the past year, driven by strong growth in the commercial aerospace segment [1] - Future growth may be led by RTX's core defense business, contrasting with the previous quarter where commercial business was the primary growth driver [2] Financial Performance - In Q2 2025, RTX reported revenue of $21.6 billion, a 9% increase from $19.7 billion in Q2 2024 [6] - Adjusted net income for Q2 2025 was $2.1 billion, up 12% from $1.9 billion in Q2 2024 [6] - Adjusted earnings per share rose to $1.56, an 11% increase from $1.41 in the same quarter last year [6] Market Performance - RTX has outperformed major indices like the S&P 500 and larger tech stocks, with a year-to-date stock price increase of almost 45% [4][8] - The stock's rally was influenced by rising geopolitical tensions and a strong quarterly report, with sales and earnings growth accelerating [8] - The company's contract backlog is growing even faster, indicating potential for continued growth [8]

Core Insights - Costco Wholesale Corporation's recent sales data indicates its strength as a defensive retail stock, achieving an 8% year-over-year growth in net sales to $26.44 billion, reflecting its value-driven membership model [1][4] Sales Performance - U.S. comparable sales increased by 4.7%, while Canada and other international markets saw gains of 6.7% and 10.9%, respectively, with total comparable sales growing 6.2% in June when excluding gas and forex impacts [2][8] - E-commerce sales rose by 11.5% in June, enhancing Costco's ability to capture consumer spending across various channels [3][8] Market Position - Costco's consistent traffic and resilient comparable sales, along with digital growth, reinforce its reputation as a reliable performer in a challenging retail environment [4] - The stock has outperformed the industry, with shares rising 14.4% over the past year compared to the industry's 6.6% growth [7] Financial Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate projects Costco's sales and earnings per share to grow by 8.1% and 11.6% year-over-year, respectively [10] - Current financial-year sales are estimated at $274.97 billion, with a year-over-year growth estimate of 8.06% [13]