3 Buy-Rated Stocks Breaking Quarterly Records: VLO, RTX, IBKR

The U.S. Navy's NAWCWD launched facilities to increase Tomahawk missile production to over 1,000 per year, using a museum exhibit warhead casing for testing. The expansion is under a $22.9B contract with RTX. General Dynamics and Raytheon are involved in production.

S&P Global Ratings upgraded RTX Corp's credit rating to 'A-' from 'BBB+', citing strong demand in aerospace and defense, and debt reduction. The company is expected to maintain adjusted debt to EBITDA below 2.5x and generate over $9 billion in free operating cash flow this year. RTX's backlog and order intake are robust, with defense contracts and commercial aerospace demand supporting its credit profile.

Interactive Brokers Ireland, part of Interactive Brokers Group (IBKR), announced that eligible clients in select European countries can participate in the initial public offering (IPO) of Anthropic, PBC. The offer period runs from November 12, 2026, to November 17, 2026, with allocation based on the company's policy and prospectus terms. IBKR is a global broker offering automated trade execution and custody services.

HSBC's Islamic Global Equity Index Fund will stop investing in companies linked to Israel's military, including RTX, Rolls-Royce, Honeywell, BAE Systems, and Palantir, due to new rules restricting weapons-related investments. The fund follows the S&P Global 1200 Shariah Select Index, which will enforce a 5% income limit from military activities. The changes take effect on November 23, 2026, and follow an investigation revealing prior investments in these companies.

RTX Corp. CFO Neil Mitchill anticipates 2027 growth in sales, operating margins, and free cash flow, supported by commercial aerospace and international defense demand. The company has a $340 billion order backlog, with over 80% of Raytheon's projected 2027 sales already backlogged. RTX expects $500 million in additional cash flow from reduced powdered metal payments, though some gains may be offset by expiring cash benefits and pension headwinds.

Valero Energy (VLO) agreed to acquire a 700-acre refinery facility from LyondellBasell (LYB) for $320.5M, subject to closing adjustments. The deal, expected to close by 2026, includes 165,000 BPD of processing capacity. Valero aims to expand its Gulf Coast footprint and enhance refining capabilities, anticipating attractive financial returns.