Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) vs RTX Corporation (RTX)
A side-by-side comparison of Caterpillar Inc. and RTX Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 10, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
CAT
Caterpillar Inc.
$818.57IndustrialsDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
RTX
RTX Corporation
$197.68IndustrialsDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — CAT vs RTX
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCAT +1110.1% (+28.3%/yr)RTX +313.2% (+15.2%/yr)CAT compounded faster over this window
CAT RTX
CAT vs RTX: by the numbers
- •CAT is the larger company ($377.06B vs $266.42B market cap).
- •RTX trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (34.80 vs 35.21 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •CAT converts more revenue to profit (14.50% vs 8.28% net margin).
- •CAT grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.24% vs 8.46% CAGR).
- •RTX pays the higher dividend yield (1.43% vs 0.77%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CAT | RTX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 35.21 | 34.80 |
| Forward P/E | 30.04 | 27.28 |
| P/S ratio | 5.05 | 2.85 |
| P/B ratio | 19.44 | 4.01 |
| EV / EBITDA | 26.86 | 19.95 |
| FCF yield | 2.39% | 4.51% |
Profitability
| Metric | CAT | RTX |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 33.87% | 20.35% |
| Operating margin | 17.52% | 11.21% |
| Net margin | 14.50% | 8.28% |
| ROE | 55.85% | 11.66% |
| ROIC | 13.30% | 7.33% |
Dividends
| Metric | CAT | RTX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.77% | 1.43% |
| Payout ratio | 26.49% | 49.65% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CAT | RTX |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 10.24% | 8.46% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 27.96% | N/A |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 9.80% | 31.43% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 33.75% | 21.33% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CAT or RTX?
- RTX has the lower trailing P/E: CAT trades at 35.21 and RTX at 34.80. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, CAT or RTX?
- Over the past five years, CAT grew revenue faster — CAT at a 10.24% CAGR versus RTX at 8.46%.
- Does CAT or RTX pay a bigger dividend?
- CAT yields 0.77% and RTX yields 1.43% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CAT or RTX more profitable?
- CAT runs the higher net margin — CAT at 14.50% versus RTX at 8.28%.
- How have CAT and RTX total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CAT delivered 28.63% and RTX delivered 15.21% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Caterpillar P/E ratioRTX P/E ratioCaterpillar dividend yieldRTX dividend yieldCaterpillar ROERTX ROECaterpillar operating marginRTX operating marginCaterpillar revenue growthRTX revenue growthCaterpillar free cash flowRTX free cash flow
Caterpillar & RTX appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified September 10, 2026.