Check out the companies making headlines before the bell: RTX — The defense stock gained 1% after RTX posted third-quarter earnings of $2.26 per share, excluding items, on revenues of $24.97 billion. That exceeded the LSEG estimates of $1.78 earnings per share on revenue of $24.08 billion. Northrop Grumman — Shares gained 0.5% after the defense contractor reported mixed results for the third quarter. The company earned $7.89 per share, beating an LSEG estimate of $7.18 per share. However, revenue of $11.12 billion was just below the $11.14 billion consensus. General Motors — The automaker fell roughly 5% despite GM reporting third-quarter numbers that beat analyst expectations. The company also raised its free cash flow expectations and narrowed its 2026 full-year guidance. The Detroit automaker also announced a new stock buyback program of $20 billion , but didn’t provide a specific timeframe for the repurchase. GE Aerospace — Shares fell nearly 2%. While GE Aerospace hiked its full-year 2026 guidance, free cash flow at the company of $2.04 billion was lower than expectations for that of $2.2 billion, according to StreetAccount. 3M — The producer of industrial and safety products popped 1% after reporting adjusted earnings of $2.50 per share, exceeding an LSEG estimate of $2.38 per share. Steel Dynamics — Shares dropped 5.3% after the industrial metals company reported mixed third-quarter numbers. While the company beat on revenue, its earnings per share and profit margin fell short of expectations. On a positive note, the company’s customer backlog is up 50% year over year, extending into 2027 as strong demand persists. Apple — The tech giant fell about 1% following a downgrade to hold from buy at Loop Capital. Analysts pointed to slowing iPhone sales and a high valuation as sources of concern . Solstice Advanced Materials — The chemicals stock rose 3% after The Financial Times reported , citing sources, that activist Starboard Value had built a stake in the company. — CNBC’s Davis Giangiulio, Fred Imbert, Paulina Likos and Deena Zaidi contributed reporting
