** Bernstein raises aerospace and defense major RTX Corp RTX.N PT to $154 from $136, an upside of 5.2% to the stock's last close

** Rating unchanged at "market-perform"

** Says co set to benefit from major boosts in missile and air defense funding across all military branches as the 2026 U.S. defense budget nears $1 trillion

** RTX is well-positioned to benefit from the $175 billion Golden Dome initiative, which boosts demand for its missile and radar systems-Bernstein

** Adds that NATO's push to raise defense spending is driving strong demand for U.S. systems, with co set to benefit most from surging European interest in its missile and air defense products

** Shares of the company at $146.88, up 0.33%, in choppy early trade

** 16 of 25 brokerages rate the stock "buy" or higher, 9 "hold"; their median PT is $148- data compiled by LSEG

** Including session moves, shares are up 26.4% YTD

(Reporting by Apratim Sarkar)

((Apratim.Sarkar@thomsonreuters.com))