The company reported better-than-expected earnings of 74 cents per share
The shares of Raytheon Technologies Corp (NYSE:RTX) are getting a boost this morning, up roughly 6% at $70.24 at last check, after the manufacturing name reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings of 74 cents per share -- higher than Wall Street's estimates of 70 cents per share -- as well as a revenue beat. The firm attributed the positive results partly to its ability to cut expenses over the past year.
On the charts, Raytheon Technologies stock has been trading sideways since rising slightly from a March 18, 10-year low of $40.70. For several months now, the security has been been struggling with overhead pressure at the $75 mark, which has capped rallies in June, November and December. In the last three months though, RTX has added 23.9%.
Analysts are optimistic towards the security, with nine of the 12 in coverage sporting a "buy" or better rating, while only three called it a tepid "hold." What's more, the 12-month consensus target price of $84.19 is a whopping 20.1% premium to the stock's current perch.
Drilling down to today's options activity, 14,000 calls have crossed the tape in just the first half hour of trading, which is seven times what is typically seen at this point. Most popular is the weekly 1/29 70-strike call, followed closely by the monthly February 80 call. Buyers of the former expect to see more upside for RTX by the end of the week, when contacts expire.