When Iran attempted to impose transit tolls on ships through the Strait of Hormuz this spring, Secretary of State Marco Rubio dismissed it as illegal: “No country is allowed to charge tolls or fees on an international waterway.

Aerospace investors don't need to bet on highly leveraged moonshots when profitable, cash-generating industry leaders offer direct exposure to long-term aerospace and defense growth. The strongest aerospace businesses often sit in the critical infrastructure layer.

Investors with an interest in Aerospace - Defense stocks have likely encountered both General Dynamics (GD) and RTX (RTX). But which of these two stocks is more attractive to value investors?

Feasibility studies launched to expand European co-production and accelerate deliveries ANKARA, Türkiye, July 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, today announced an important step forward in expanding global production capacity for the AMRAAM® missile. Working in partnership with the U.S. government and multiple NATO nations, Raytheon is conducting a series of feasibility studies to qualify additional suppliers in Europe for priority AMRAAM components.

European production to boost output and strengthen the transatlantic defense industrial base ANKARA, Türkiye, July 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, is working with European companies, including Diehl Defence, to double Stinger® missile production in response to growing global demand. Working with Raytheon, Diehl Defence will produce the guidance section, a key component of the Stinger missile, and source related subcomponents from across Europe.

I present a $1 million 'All-American' portfolio blending 50% S&P 500 ETF with six sector-leading U.S. stocks. VOO anchors the portfolio for low-cost, broad exposure, while single-stock picks target finance (MA, CME), energy (TPL), agriculture (DE), aerospace/defense (RTX), and consumer (MCD). Each stock is selected for durable advantages: MA and CME for scalable, oligopolistic finance; TPL for energy royalties; DE for agricultural tech; RTX for balanced defense/commercial aerospace; MCD for global brand and real estate model.

The iShares U.S. Aerospace and Defense ETF (BATS: ITA) has climbed 35% over the past year and nearly 17% year to date, and the reflexive retail question is whether the run is exhausted. The more useful question is whether ITA still fits the trade you actually want to make, which is long-cycle Western rearmament. Buying ITA... ITA Just Ripped Higher, but America's Rearmament Cycle May Still Be in the First Inning

RTX's 36.6% rally, fresh defense wins, aerospace milestones and solid liquidity support its appeal for investors seeking long-term growth.

Defense stocks are the rare corner of the market where geopolitical anxiety, fiscal generosity and multi-year revenue visibility all converge at once.

The recommendations of Wall Street analysts are often relied on by investors when deciding whether to buy, sell, or hold a stock. Media reports about these brokerage-firm-employed (or sell-side) analysts changing their ratings often affect a stock's price.