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 30yCAT +5534.7%RTX +2146.4%CAT compounded faster
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 9It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueRTX(lower P/E)
GrowthCAT(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeRTX(higher dividend yield)
QualityCAT(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | CAT | RTX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 45.30 | 34.43● |
| Forward P/E | 36.92 | 24.07● |
| P/S ratio | 5.99 | 2.77● |
| P/B ratio | 22.73 | 3.78● |
| PEG ratio | 1.62 | 0.91● |
| EV / EBITDA | 29.10 | 18.31● |
| FCF yield | 2.70% | 3.34%● |
Profitability
| Metric | CAT | RTX |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 32.52%● | 20.21% |
| Operating margin | 16.56%● | 10.87% |
| Net margin | 13.31%● | 8.03% |
| ROE | 50.48%● | 10.95% |
| ROIC | 11.42%● | 6.49% |
Dividends
| Metric | CAT | RTX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.66% | 1.51%● |
| Payout ratio | 31.96% | 55.18% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CAT | RTX |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
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 June 13, 2026.