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 July 28, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
CAT
Caterpillar Inc.
$840.85IndustrialsDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
RTX
RTX Corporation
$218.58IndustrialsDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — CAT vs RTX
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yCAT +10980.7%RTX +5016.1%CAT compounded faster
CAT RTX
CAT vs RTX: by the numbers
- •CAT is the larger company ($387.33B vs $294.59B market cap).
- •RTX trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (38.45 vs 43.45 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •CAT converts more revenue to profit (13.31% vs 8.28% net margin).
- •CAT grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.47% vs 8.46% CAGR).
- •RTX pays the higher dividend yield (1.27% vs 0.69%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CAT | RTX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 43.45 | 38.45 |
| Forward P/E | 35.24 | 30.50 |
| P/S ratio | 5.75 | 3.19 |
| P/B ratio | 21.80 | 4.49 |
| PEG ratio | 1.55 | 0.91 |
| EV / EBITDA | 31.77 | 21.72 |
| FCF yield | 2.81% | 4.03% |
Profitability
| Metric | CAT | RTX |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 32.52% | 20.35% |
| Operating margin | 16.56% | 11.21% |
| Net margin | 13.31% | 8.28% |
| ROE | 50.48% | 11.66% |
| ROIC | 11.42% | 6.49% |
Dividends
| Metric | CAT | RTX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.69% | 1.27% |
| Payout ratio | 31.96% | 55.18% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CAT | RTX |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 10.47% | 8.46% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 27.96% | N/A |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 17.77% | 31.43% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 35.31% | 22.55% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CAT or RTX?
- RTX has the lower trailing P/E: CAT trades at 43.45 and RTX at 38.45. 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 10.47% CAGR versus RTX at 8.46%.
- Does CAT or RTX pay a bigger dividend?
- CAT yields 0.69% and RTX yields 1.27% 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 8.28%.
- How have CAT and RTX total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CAT delivered 29.17% and RTX delivered 15.85% 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 July 28, 2026.