Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) vs RTX Corporation (RTX)

RTX leads on 9 of 17 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Caterpillar Inc. and RTX Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — CAT vs RTX

growth of $100 · last 30y
CAT +5534.7%RTX +2146.4%CAT compounded faster
02k4k6kStart $100200120062011201620212026$5,635$2,246
CAT RTX

CAT vs RTX: by the numbers

  • CAT is the larger company ($419.44B vs $247.16B market cap).
  • RTX trades at the lower earnings multiple (34.43 vs 45.30 P/E).
  • CAT converts more revenue to profit (13.31% vs 8.03% net margin).
  • CAT grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.47% vs 8.37% CAGR).
  • RTX pays the higher dividend yield (1.51% vs 0.66%).

Which is better, CAT or RTX?

Metric tally: CAT 8 · RTX 9

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueRTX(lower P/E)
GrowthCAT(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeRTX(higher dividend yield)
QualityCAT(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricCATRTX
P/E ratio45.3034.43
Forward P/E36.9224.07
P/S ratio5.992.77
P/B ratio22.733.78
PEG ratio1.620.91
EV / EBITDA29.1018.31
FCF yield2.70%3.34%

Profitability

MetricCATRTX
Gross margin32.52%20.21%
Operating margin16.56%10.87%
Net margin13.31%8.03%
ROE50.48%10.95%
ROIC11.42%6.49%

Dividends

MetricCATRTX
Dividend yield0.66%1.51%
Payout ratio31.96%55.18%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCATRTX
Revenue CAGR (5Y)10.47%8.37%
EPS CAGR (5Y)27.96%-4.16%
FCF CAGR (5Y)17.77%37.83%
Total return CAGR (5Y)35.15%18.19%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CAT or RTX?
It depends on your goal. value: RTX (lower P/E); growth: CAT (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: RTX (higher dividend yield); quality: CAT (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, RTX leads 9 to 8.
Is CAT or RTX cheaper?
On trailing earnings, RTX is cheaper: CAT trades at a 45.30 P/E and RTX at 34.43.
Which has grown faster, CAT or RTX?
Over the past five years, CAT grew revenue faster — CAT at a 10.47% CAGR versus RTX at 8.37%.
Does CAT or RTX pay a bigger dividend?
CAT yields 0.66% and RTX yields 1.51% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CAT or RTX more profitable?
CAT runs the higher net margin — CAT at 13.31% versus RTX at 8.03%.
Which has been the better investment, CAT or RTX?
Over the past 10-year, CAT delivered the higher annualized total return — CAT at 31.11% versus RTX at 14.46%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

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 June 13, 2026.