Aerospace & Defense
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Side-by-side financial analysisStock Comparison
BA vs RTX
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Aerospace & Defense
BA vs RTX — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace & Defense | Aerospace & Defense |
| Market Cap | $158.79B | $260.93B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $94.00B | $93.50B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $2.44B | $7.74B |
| Gross Margin | 4.7% | 20.3% |
| Operating Margin | -5.4% | 11.2% |
| Forward P/E | 81.0x | 26.4x |
| Total Debt | $54.43B | $39.51B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $10.92B | $7.43B |
BA vs RTX — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | Sep 20 | Sep 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Boeing Company (BA) | 100 | 119.6 | +19.6% |
| RTX Corporation (RTX) | 100 | 331.9 | +231.9% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: BA vs RTX
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
BA is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure.
- Rev growth 34.5%, EPS growth 113.5%, 3Y rev CAGR 10.3%
- 34.5% revenue growth vs RTX's 9.7%
RTX carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 33 yrs, beta 0.35, yield 1.4%
- 249.7% 10Y total return vs BA's 68.0%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.35, Low D/E 58.8%, current ratio 1.03x
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 34.5% revenue growth vs RTX's 9.7% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (26.8x vs 81.0x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 8.3% margin vs BA's 2.6% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.35 vs BA's 1.20, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 1.4% yield, 33-year raise streak, vs BA's 0.2% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +21.6% vs BA's -6.8% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 4.5% ROA vs BA's 1.5%, ROIC 7.0% vs -9.5% |
BA vs RTX — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
BA vs RTX — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
RTX leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
BA and RTX operate at a comparable scale, with $94.0B and $93.5B in trailing revenue. RTX is the more profitable business, keeping 8.3% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to BA's 2.6%. On growth, RTX holds the edge at +14.5% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $94.0B | $93.5B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$3.3B | $14.9B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $2.4B | $7.7B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$210M | $12.0B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +4.7% | +20.3% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -5.4% | +11.2% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +2.6% | +8.3% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -0.2% | +12.9% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +8.0% | +14.5% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +27.2% | +28.7% |
Valuation Metrics
RTX leads this category, winning 2 of 3 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 39.0x trailing earnings, RTX trades at a 52% valuation discount to BA's 81.0x P/E.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $158.8B | $260.9B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $202.3B | $293.0B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 81.01x | 39.03x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 26.36x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | 21.42x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.77x | 2.94x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 28.07x | 3.91x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 32.86x |
Profitability & Efficiency
RTX leads this category, winning 8 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
BA delivers a 104.7% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $105 in annual profit, vs $11 for RTX. RTX carries lower financial leverage with a 0.59x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to BA's 9.97x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), RTX scores 8/9 vs BA's 6/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +104.7% | +11.5% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +1.5% | +4.5% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -9.5% | +7.0% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -9.1% | +8.3% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 8 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 9.97x | 0.59x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $43.5B | $32.1B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $10.9B | $7.4B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $54.4B | $39.5B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 2.08x | 6.92x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
RTX leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in RTX five years ago would be worth $23,838 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $9,112 for BA. Over the past 12 months, RTX leads with a +21.6% total return vs BA's -6.8%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors RTX at 40.6% vs BA's 0.0% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -13.2% | +3.1% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -6.8% | +21.6% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +0.0% | +177.8% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -8.9% | +138.4% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +68.0% | +249.7% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +0.0% | +40.6% |
Risk & Volatility
RTX leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
RTX is the less volatile stock with a 0.35 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than BA's 1.20 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. RTX currently trades 84.2% from its 52-week high vs BA's 77.7% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.20x | 0.35x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $254.35 | $226.88 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $176.77 | $155.64 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +77.7% | +84.2% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 38.3 | 31.7 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 5.8M | 4.6M |
Analyst Outlook
RTX leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates BA as "Buy" and RTX as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 36.5% upside for BA (target: $274) vs 23.2% for RTX (target: $239). For income investors, RTX offers the higher dividend yield at 1.36% vs BA's 0.22%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $274.29 | $238.50 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 55 | 26 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.2% | +1.4% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 33 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.43 | $2.63 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.0% | +0.0% |
RTX leads in 6 of 6 categories — strongest in Income & Cash Flow and Valuation Metrics.
Custom Comparison: BA vs RTX
Compare on any lens — Growth, Value, Income, or pick from 130+ individual metrics.
BA vs RTX: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is BA or RTX a better buy right now?
For growth investors, The Boeing Company (BA) is the stronger pick with 34.
5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 9. 7% for RTX Corporation (RTX). RTX Corporation (RTX) offers the better valuation at 39. 0x trailing P/E (26. 4x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate The Boeing Company (BA) a "Buy" — based on 55 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — BA or RTX?
On trailing P/E, RTX Corporation (RTX) is the cheapest at 39.
0x versus The Boeing Company at 81. 0x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — BA or RTX?
Over the past 5 years, RTX Corporation (RTX) delivered a total return of +138.
4%, compared to -8. 9% for The Boeing Company (BA). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: RTX returned +249. 7% versus BA's +68. 0%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — BA or RTX?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), RTX Corporation (RTX) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
35β versus The Boeing Company's 1. 20β — meaning BA is approximately 238% more volatile than RTX relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, RTX Corporation (RTX) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 59% versus 10% for The Boeing Company — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — BA or RTX?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), The Boeing Company (BA) is pulling ahead at 34.
5% versus 9. 7% for RTX Corporation (RTX). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: The Boeing Company grew EPS 113. 5% year-over-year, compared to 39. 7% for RTX Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, BA leads at 10. 3% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — BA or RTX?
RTX Corporation (RTX) is the more profitable company, earning 7.
6% net margin versus 2. 5% for The Boeing Company — meaning it keeps 7. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: RTX leads at 10. 5% versus -6. 1% for BA. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — RTX leads at 20. 1%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is BA or RTX more undervalued right now?
Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for BA: 36.
5% to $274. 29.
08Which pays a better dividend — BA or RTX?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
RTX Corporation (RTX) offers the highest yield at 1. 4%, versus 0. 2% for The Boeing Company (BA).
09Is BA or RTX better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, RTX Corporation (RTX) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.
35), 1. 4% yield, +249. 7% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (RTX: +249. 7%, BA: +68. 0%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between BA and RTX?
Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: BA is a mid-cap high-growth stock; RTX is a large-cap quality compounder stock. RTX pays a dividend while BA does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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