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Relative Intelligence · Aerospace & Defense

How RTX compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on RTX alone. It places RTX (RTX Corporation) against 20+ popular alternatives, its neighboring categories and the entire market of over 10,000 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs, and surfaces what has done better on consistent outperformance, return for the risk taken, behavior in real market crashes and diversification. The result is a clearer view of where RTX stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.

Period covered: RTX's full trading record, from October 1986 through September 2026. All returns include reinvested dividends. Data as of October 20, 2026.

Data as of October 20, 2026. Full tables and charts read best on a larger screen.

Rank the market against RTX →Chart RTX vs. 22 alternatives →
On this page12 sections

Key findings

How much would $10,000 in RTX have grown?

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in RTX over the past 29 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of RTX over the same span and RTX's popular alternatives, among those that traded for the entire period. A second view covers the past 5 years, the period the better options further down the page are judged on. It shows not only where each investment ended up but also how smooth or uneven the path was.

Choose a period

From the end of September 1997 to the end of September 2026. The scale is logarithmic, so equal steps up the chart are equal percentage gains. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 209 of the 1,042 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of RTX; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$1,000$10,000$100,000$1M199720022007201220172022$1,000$10,000$100,000$1M19972004201120182025
  • HEI$1M+13,374% total · +18.4% a year
  • CW$708,111+6,981% total · +15.8% a year
  • RS$621,583+6,116% total · +15.3% a year
  • CAT$615,591+6,056% total · +15.3% a year
  • MOG-A$350,288+3,403% total · +13.0% a year
  • RTX$288,741+2,787% total · +12.3% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$132,907+1,229% total · +9.3% a year
  • HWM$100,078+901% total · +8.3% a year
  • GE$54,821+448% total · +6.0% a year
  • DRS$9,128−8.7% total · −0.3% a year
Change the dates or add tickers to this chart in EasyCompare

From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 550 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of RTX; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$0$20,000$40,000$60,000$80,000$100,000$120,000$140,000202120222023202420252026$0$50,000$100,000$150,000202120222023202420252026
  • ATI$113,890+1,039% total · +62.7% a year
  • HWM$73,554+636% total · +49.0% a year
  • MOG-A$52,115+421% total · +39.1% a year
  • CAT$46,130+361% total · +35.8% a year
  • CW$43,818+338% total · +34.4% a year
  • DRS$34,987+250% total · +28.5% a year
  • WAB$34,242+242% total · +27.9% a year
  • RS$29,255+193% total · +23.9% a year
  • RTX$24,048+140% total · +19.2% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
Change the dates or add tickers to this chart in EasyCompare

RTX at a glance

This section summarizes the key facts about the stock, its returns over periods from one to ten years and the risk it has carried, with dividends reinvested throughout. These figures serve as the baseline for every comparison that follows.

The company

Market value
$261B
Industry
Aerospace & Defense
Price history from
October 1986

Returns

Past 1 year
+22.1%total return
Past 3 years
+183%+41.4% a year
Past 5 years
+135%+18.6% a year
Past 10 years
+317%+15.3% a year
Best calendar year
+61.4%2025
Worst calendar year
−28.4%2008
Losing years
8 of 29full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
24.3%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
0.83return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−52.6%Oct 2007 to Mar 2009
From its all-time high
−14.3%below the peak

RTX against the whole market

Where RTX ranks among every stock and fund, and what across the market has done better.

How does RTX rank among all stocks?

This section ranks RTX on return, volatility, risk-adjusted return and worst decline against every stock worth at least $300 million with enough history. Where the comparisons with its popular alternatives show how RTX stacks up against its peers, these rankings show where it stands in the market as a whole.

Ranked against U.S.-listed stocks worth at least $300M that have enough history for each measure, so the count changes from row to row; smaller stocks are left out. Lower volatility and smaller declines rank higher.

MeasureRTXRankStanding
1-year return+22.1%1,182 of 3,287top 36%
3-year return+183%459 of 3,017top 15%
5-year return+135%507 of 2,893top 18%
10-year return+317%544 of 2,202top 25%
Volatility, 5 years24.3%284 of 2,893top 10%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years0.83250 of 2,893top 9%
Worst decline, past 10 years−52.0%529 of 2,187top 24%

What has beaten RTX on both return and risk?

Each dot is an investment, placed by how much it earned a year over the past 5 years (higher is better) and how much its price swung, its volatility (further left is calmer). RTX sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than RTX with smaller swings, a better trade-off over this period on both counts. Past results are no promise, but a name in the box is worth a closer look.

Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested, and volatility the annualized swing in daily prices, both over 5 years. Labeled dots are the strongest picks from the table below and the names called out above, colored by how close they sit to RTX; faint dots are 6 more of the 11 in the green region (the strongest, one per fund family). 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million were screened. Hover over a dot for its figures.

15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%45.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than RTXDBJP: +20.9% a year, volatility 19.2%WMT: +20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%TJX: +19.9% a year, volatility 22.3%SDCI: +20.6% a year, volatility 18.4%CRAK: +19.8% a year, volatility 20.9%ATMP: +21.2% a year, volatility 21.5%RTX: +18.6% a year, volatility 24.3%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%MOG-A: +36.6% a year, volatility 32.0%RS: +24.8% a year, volatility 28.1%WAB: +25.6% a year, volatility 26.2%GRMN: +14.8% a year, volatility 31.6%CAT: +31.1% a year, volatility 31.9%NPO: +28.1% a year, volatility 36.0%CTAS: +16.5% a year, volatility 23.1%TRV: +22.4% a year, volatility 22.3%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%COR: +24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%ABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%MPLX: +23.5% a year, volatility 18.8%NHC: +32.0% a year, volatility 28.5%GLD: +17.7% a year, volatility 18.9%RTXSPY (S&P 500)MOG-ARSWABGRMNCATNPOCTASTRVDXJCORCAHABBVMPLXNHCGLD15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than RTXDBJP: +20.9% a year, volatility 19.2%WMT: +20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%TJX: +19.9% a year, volatility 22.3%SDCI: +20.6% a year, volatility 18.4%CRAK: +19.8% a year, volatility 20.9%ATMP: +21.2% a year, volatility 21.5%RTX: +18.6% a year, volatility 24.3%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%MOG-A: +36.6% a year, volatility 32.0%RS: +24.8% a year, volatility 28.1%WAB: +25.6% a year, volatility 26.2%GRMN: +14.8% a year, volatility 31.6%CAT: +31.1% a year, volatility 31.9%NPO: +28.1% a year, volatility 36.0%CTAS: +16.5% a year, volatility 23.1%TRV: +22.4% a year, volatility 22.3%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%COR: +24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%ABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%MPLX: +23.5% a year, volatility 18.8%NHC: +32.0% a year, volatility 28.5%GLD: +17.7% a year, volatility 18.9%RTXSPY (S&P 500)MOG-ARSWABGRMNCATNPOCTASTRVDXJCORCAHABBVMPLXNHCGLD
  • Popular alternatives
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region
  • 1 with more than 1.6× RTX's volatility is in the table only

Is there a better investment than RTX?

Investments that beat RTX over the past 5 years on return, volatility, drawdowns, consistency, crash losses or fees, from its popular alternatives out to the whole market.

How this works

The table below lists investments that beat RTX over the past 5 years on at least one of these measures: a higher annual return with lower volatility, a higher annual return at similar volatility, a similar return with lower volatility, a higher Sharpe ratio with a smaller worst decline, a higher total return in most periods from 3 months to 10 years, or smaller losses in recent market crashes. It checks RTX's popular alternatives first, then the rest of its own and neighboring categories, then every stock and fund worth at least $500 million, and shows the strongest few in each group. The full list of those with a higher return and lower volatility than RTX follows the table.

Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested. Annual return, volatility and the Sharpe ratio cover 5 years; the worst decline covers the past 10 years. Green marks a better figure than RTX's. "On the frontier" means no other option shown or tested earned more with less volatility. Funds that hold the same thing are shown once. Beyond the popular alternatives, nothing with more than 1.5× RTX's volatility counts as better.

These figures cover the past 5 years. Green marks a better figure than RTX's.

Screen the whole market against RTX for any period in BetterThanSPYOpen these 17 in EasyCompare
InvestmentWhy it is betterPast 5 yearsDownsideLong runFit
Annual return?higher is betterVolatility?lower is calmerSharpe?return per unit of riskWorst decline?past 10 years10Y returntotalCorr. with RTX?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
RTXRTX Corporation · this page
+18.6%24.3%0.83−52.0%+317%1.00—
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.7%17.1%0.79−33.7%+321%0.200.09%
Popular alternativesbest 2 shownThe investments people most often weigh against RTX. 2 of 22 passed at least one test.
ATIATI Inc. · Metals & Mining
On the frontierHigher return in most periods+61.8%42.9%1.34−82.4%+929%0.35—
MOG-AMoog Inc. · Aerospace & Defense
Higher return in most periods+36.6%32.0%1.14−63.7%+595%0.36—
Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 6 shownEverything else in Aerospace & Defense and the categories next to it (Business Services, Airlines, Metals & Mining, Industrial Machinery), plus RTX's specific themes. 9 of 123 passed at least one test.
RSReliance Steel & Aluminum Co. · Metals & Mining
Higher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+24.8%28.1%0.93−40.8%+626%0.30—
WABWestinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation · Industrial Machinery
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+25.6%26.2%1.00−64.1%+264%0.35—
GRMNGarmin Ltd. · Computer Hardware · Avionics theme
Higher return in most periods+14.8%31.6%0.59−54.6%+670%0.20—
CATCaterpillar Inc. · Industrial Machinery
Higher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+31.1%31.9%1.01−43.4%+936%0.16—
NPOEnPro Industries, Inc. · Industrial Machinery
Higher return in most periods+28.1%36.0%0.87−65.8%+481%0.26—
CTASCintas Corporation · Business Services
Smaller losses in recent crashes+16.5%23.1%0.78−48.4%+808%0.34—
The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 125 of 3,488 passed at least one test.
TRVThe Travelers Companies, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+22.4%22.3%1.02−46.3%+347%0.46—
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+26.6%19.1%1.34−39.1%+428%0.150.48%
CORCencora, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+24.2%22.8%1.07−32.4%+406%0.44—
CAHCardinal Health, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
On the frontierHigher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+42.1%24.7%1.55−46.1%+349%0.32—
ABBVAbbVie Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+26.1%23.4%1.11−45.1%+603%0.23—
MPLXMPLX Lp · Oil & Gas Midstream
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+23.5%18.8%1.22−75.2%+350%0.28—
NHCNational HealthCare Corporation · Medical - Care Facilities
Higher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+32.0%28.5%1.12−35.3%+394%0.23—
GLDSPDR Gold Shares · Gold
Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+17.7%18.9%0.96−26.4%+213%0.340.40%
What these numbers mean for RTX
Annual return
RTX returned 18.6% a year over the past 5 years with dividends reinvested, against 12.7% a year for the S&P 500. At that pace, $10,000 became about $23,500. Annual return is the steady yearly rate that would produce the same total result, so investments held over the same span compare fairly. Guide: What is performance and return? →
Volatility
RTX's volatility over the past 5 years was 24.3%, 1.4 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, RTX's return lands within 24.3% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump. Guide: Understanding and measuring risk (volatility) →
Sharpe ratio
RTX's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.83, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so RTX earned more for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings. Guide: Balancing reward with risk (Sharpe ratio) →
Worst decline
RTX's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 52.0%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 52.0% fall takes a 108% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
Correlation
Over the past 5 years, RTX's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.20 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They are only loosely linked, which makes it a real diversifier next to an index fund. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against RTX instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a RTX holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 11 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than RTX with less volatility

Out of 3,633 tested over 5 years. The strongest 10 are listed, best first, with funds that hold the same thing listed once.

#InvestmentFound inAnnual returnVolatilitySharpeWorst decline10Y returnCorr. with RTXExpense
1
TRVThe Travelers Companies, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+22.4%22.3%1.02−46.3%+347%0.46—
2
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity
Whole market+26.6%19.1%1.34−39.1%+428%0.150.48%
3
CORCencora, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+24.2%22.8%1.07−32.4%+406%0.44—
4
MPLXMPLX Lp · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+23.5%18.8%1.22−75.2%+350%0.28—
5
DBJPXtrackers MSCI Japan Hedged Equity ETF · International
Whole market+20.9%19.2%1.09−31.3%+348%0.110.45%
6
WMTWalmart Inc. · Discount Retail
Whole market+20.8%22.6%0.96−25.7%+508%0.14—
7
TJXThe TJX Companies, Inc. · Specialty Retail
Whole market+19.9%22.3%0.93−42.5%+361%0.15—
8
SDCIUSCF SummerHaven Dynamic Commodity Strategy No K-1 Fund · Bonds
Whole market+20.6%18.4%1.12−45.7%—0.170.80%
9
CRAKVanEck Oil Refiners ETF · Energy
Whole market+19.8%20.9%0.97−58.8%+336%0.270.61%
10
ATMPBarclays ETN+ Select MLP ETN · Broad Market
Whole market+21.2%21.5%1.01−70.3%+172%0.300.95%

RTX against its popular alternatives

The investments people most often weigh against RTX, compared period by period and year by year.

How do RTX's risk and return compare with its alternatives?

This map plots each investment's annual return over the past 5 years against its volatility, the size of its typical price swings. Investments toward the upper left earned more for a smoother ride, and those toward the lower right earned less for a rougher one. The dashed lines cross at RTX, which divides the map into what did better or worse on each measure.

Green points earned more than RTX with less volatility; red points earned less with more. Hover over a point for its figures. Total returns with dividends reinvested, annualized.

10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%70.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityRTX: 18.6% a year, volatility 24.3%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%HEI: 17.3% a year, volatility 27.8%TDG: 16.4% a year, volatility 28.0%KTOS: 11.4% a year, volatility 53.1%AVAV: 4.9% a year, volatility 58.4%HXL: 10.2% a year, volatility 32.2%DAL: 14.6% a year, volatility 40.8%NOC: 7.6% a year, volatility 26.1%LHX: 2.5% a year, volatility 24.9%HII: 7.4% a year, volatility 32.2%TXT: 0.8% a year, volatility 27.6%UAL: 16.3% a year, volatility 49.0%BA: −2.5% a year, volatility 36.8%AAL: −9.1% a year, volatility 48.4%ATI: 61.8% a year, volatility 42.9%MOG-A: 36.6% a year, volatility 32.0%HWM: 47.3% a year, volatility 32.5%DRS: 26.8% a year, volatility 42.8%CW: 30.8% a year, volatility 28.7%GE: 36.0% a year, volatility 31.0%BWXT: 19.6% a year, volatility 34.1%LMT: 11.1% a year, volatility 24.2%GD: 12.9% a year, volatility 20.8%RTXSPY (S&P 500)HEIKTOSAVAVHXLDALNOCLHXHIITXTUALBAAALATIMOG-AHWMDRSCWGEBWXTLMT10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%−20.0%0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityRTX: 18.6% a year, volatility 24.3%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%HEI: 17.3% a year, volatility 27.8%TDG: 16.4% a year, volatility 28.0%KTOS: 11.4% a year, volatility 53.1%AVAV: 4.9% a year, volatility 58.4%HXL: 10.2% a year, volatility 32.2%DAL: 14.6% a year, volatility 40.8%NOC: 7.6% a year, volatility 26.1%LHX: 2.5% a year, volatility 24.9%HII: 7.4% a year, volatility 32.2%TXT: 0.8% a year, volatility 27.6%UAL: 16.3% a year, volatility 49.0%BA: −2.5% a year, volatility 36.8%AAL: −9.1% a year, volatility 48.4%ATI: 61.8% a year, volatility 42.9%MOG-A: 36.6% a year, volatility 32.0%HWM: 47.3% a year, volatility 32.5%DRS: 26.8% a year, volatility 42.8%CW: 30.8% a year, volatility 28.7%GE: 36.0% a year, volatility 31.0%BWXT: 19.6% a year, volatility 34.1%LMT: 11.1% a year, volatility 24.2%GD: 12.9% a year, volatility 20.8%RTXSPY (S&P 500)KTOSAVAVHXLDALNOCLHXUALBAAALATIMOG-AHWMDRSCWGEBWXT
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
ATI ATI Inc.+61.8%42.9%
HWM Howmet Aerospace Inc.+47.3%32.5%
MOG-A Moog Inc.+36.6%32.0%
GE GE Aerospace+36.0%31.0%
CW Curtiss-Wright Corporation+30.8%28.7%
DRS Leonardo DRS, Inc.+26.8%42.8%
BWXT BWX Technologies, Inc.+19.6%34.1%
RTX This pageRTX Corporation+18.6%24.3%
HEI HEICO Corporation+17.3%27.8%
TDG TransDigm Group Incorporated+16.4%28.0%
UAL United Airlines Holdings, Inc.+16.3%49.0%
DAL Delta Air Lines, Inc.+14.6%40.8%
GD General Dynamics Corporation+12.9%20.8%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.7%17.1%
KTOS Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.+11.4%53.1%
LMT Lockheed Martin Corporation+11.1%24.2%
HXL Hexcel Corporation+10.2%32.2%
NOC Northrop Grumman Corporation+7.6%26.1%
HII Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.+7.4%32.2%
AVAV AeroVironment, Inc.+4.9%58.4%
LHX L3Harris Technologies, Inc.+2.5%24.9%
TXT Textron Inc.+0.8%27.6%
BA The Boeing Company−2.5%36.8%
AAL American Airlines Group Inc.−9.1%48.4%
Open these 24 in EasyCompare

Has RTX consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

This section compares RTX with the investments people most often weigh against it, checking each one over eight periods from one month to ten years. Counting how often an alternative earned more than RTX helps separate lasting outperformance from a single strong stretch.

A green cell means the alternative earned more than RTX over that period. "Qualified" marks those that did so in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods.

InvestmentPeriods outperformed Short termLong termRisk · 5 yearsFund
1M3M6MYTD1Y3Y5Y10YVolatilitylower is calmerSharpehigher is betterWorst declinepast 10 yearsExpenseAssetsOverlapsame sectors
RTX RTX Corporation (this page)—−0.5%−0.2%−0.5%+4.4%+22.1%+183%+135%+317%24.3%0.83−52.0%—$261B—
ATI QualifiedATI Inc.3/5 short3/3 long−3.2%−1.7%+11.6%+53.6%+125%+415%+1,008%+929%42.9%1.34−82.4%—$25B—
MOG-A QualifiedMoog Inc.3/5 short3/3 long−1.4%−7.9%+14.8%+46.2%+77.4%+228%+375%+595%32.0%1.14−63.7%—$12B—
HWM Aerospace & DefenseHowmet Aerospace Inc.0/5 short3/3 long−6.9%−22.1%−17.1%+0.1%+10.2%+391%+594%+1,028%32.5%1.36−68.9%—$84B—
DRS Aerospace & DefenseLeonardo DRS, Inc.0/5 short2/3 long−10.6%−23.4%−23.0%−1.8%−14.2%+82.9%+228%+3,294%42.8%0.77−67.5%—$9.1B—
CW Aerospace & DefenseCurtiss-Wright Corporation0/5 short2/3 long−12.8%−30.1%−32.1%−13.4%−11.6%+148%+283%+512%28.7%1.08−48.7%—$18B—
GE Aerospace & DefenseGE Aerospace0/5 short2/3 long−5.9%−12.0%−1.0%−6.1%−0.4%+261%+366%+139%31.0%1.15−80.9%—$311B—
HEI Aerospace & DefenseHEICO Corporation2/5 short1/3 long+0.7%−10.3%+4.5%−7.3%−2.4%+93.4%+122%+809%27.8%0.71−57.7%—$43B—
TDG Aerospace & DefenseTransDigm Group Incorporated1/5 short1/3 long+3.0%−5.1%−10.3%−15.9%−12.2%+62.5%+114%+543%28.0%0.69−62.6%—$63B—
KTOS Aerospace & DefenseKratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.0/5 short1/3 long−19.8%−15.2%−44.2%−50.9%−55.0%+127%+71.3%+515%53.1%0.47−72.7%—$7.3B—
AVAV Aerospace & DefenseAeroVironment, Inc.0/5 short1/3 long−26.9%−17.5%−40.4%−54.1%−67.7%+0.7%+27.1%+426%58.4%0.37−71.3%—$6.0B—
BWXT Aerospace & DefenseBWX Technologies, Inc.0/5 short1/3 long−9.0%−20.7%−41.0%−25.9%−35.0%+79.8%+145%+289%34.1%0.70−47.7%—$12B—
HXL Aerospace & DefenseHexcel Corporation4/5 short0/3 long+5.0%−13.5%+2.4%+19.5%+45.6%+44.9%+62.4%+122%32.2%0.46−68.5%—$6.9B—
LMT Aerospace & DefenseLockheed Martin Corporation3/5 short0/3 long+2.5%+8.4%−4.4%+12.4%+11.3%+33.8%+69.0%+204%24.2%0.56−36.7%—$127B—
DAL Airlines, Airports & Air ServicesDelta Air Lines, Inc.3/5 short0/3 long−6.8%−9.1%+8.5%+12.2%+25.5%+146%+97.6%+109%40.8%0.54−69.2%—$50B—
NOC Aerospace & DefenseNorthrop Grumman Corporation2/5 short0/3 long+1.4%+2.4%−18.0%−7.7%−9.8%+15.6%+44.5%+188%26.1%0.41−37.8%—$76B—
LHX Aerospace & DefenseL3Harris Technologies, Inc.1/5 short0/3 long+0.7%−10.9%−28.0%−17.3%−13.0%+49.6%+13.0%+229%24.9%0.22−38.2%—$46B—
GD Aerospace & DefenseGeneral Dynamics Corporation1/5 short0/3 long−2.2%−6.6%+4.7%+2.1%+4.0%+55.4%+83.3%+184%20.8%0.69−51.6%—$93B—
HII Aerospace & DefenseHuntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.1/5 short0/3 long−1.4%+1.3%−30.0%−21.2%−3.2%+32.2%+43.2%+110%32.2%0.39−49.7%—$11B—
TXT Aerospace & DefenseTextron Inc.0/5 short0/3 long−2.8%−15.0%−15.6%−11.3%−6.3%+1.9%+4.1%+97.9%27.6%0.17−70.0%—$13B—
UAL Airlines, Airports & Air ServicesUnited Airlines Holdings, Inc.0/5 short0/3 long−14.5%−16.8%−1.2%−13.5%−3.5%+179%+113%+72.8%49.0%0.55−79.4%—$32B—
BA Aerospace & DefenseThe Boeing Company0/5 short0/3 long−5.3%−9.1%−15.4%−16.4%−12.2%+5.8%−11.9%+52.4%36.8%0.12−77.9%—$151B—
AAL Airlines, Airports & Air ServicesAmerican Airlines Group Inc.0/5 short0/3 long−10.8%−20.0%−1.1%−21.8%−0.5%+9.3%−38.0%−69.0%48.4%0.04−84.1%—$8.0B—
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How did RTX do year by year?

This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 1997, along with where RTX ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with RTX and how far its good and bad years diverged, detail that multiyear averages tend to smooth over.

Newest year first. Green marks a year in which the fund came out ahead of RTX; gray means the two finished within a fraction of a point. The rank row places RTX among the alternatives that traded the full year; dark green is the top quarter and red the bottom quarter.

InvestmentYears ahead of RTX20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997
RTX This pageRTX Corporation—+61.4%+40.8%−14.4%+20.0%+23.3%−16.7%+44.1%−14.5%+19.3%+17.3%−14.3%+3.4%+42.0%+15.3%−4.8%+16.4%+33.4%−28.4%+24.6%+13.8%+10.2%+10.9%+55.5%−2.6%−16.8%+22.7%+21.1%+51.8%+11.7%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 4 of 296 of 238 of 2323 of 2311 of 234 of 2315 of 239 of 2312 of 2318 of 2314 of 2316 of 2316 of 2315 of 2311 of 2312 of 2213 of 217 of 216 of 218 of 1911 of 179 of 1612 of 168 of 168 of 1612 of 167 of 165 of 142 of 1411 of 14
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF12 of 29+17.7%+24.9%+26.2%−18.2%+28.7%+18.3%+31.2%−4.6%+21.7%+12.0%+1.2%+13.5%+32.3%+16.0%+1.9%+15.1%+26.4%−36.8%+5.1%+15.9%+4.8%+10.7%+28.2%−21.6%−11.7%−9.8%+20.4%+28.7%+33.5%
ATI ATI Inc.13 of 26+109%+21.1%+52.3%+87.5%−5.0%−18.8%−5.1%−9.8%+51.5%+43.9%−66.7%−0.5%+20.2%−35.1%−12.2%+25.0%+79.8%−70.0%−4.2%+153%+68.2%+66.5%+122%−60.8%+10.3%−26.5%———
MOG-A Moog Inc.15 of 29+24.4%+36.8%+66.6%+9.8%+3.4%−6.2%+11.4%−10.0%+32.2%+8.4%−18.1%+9.0%+65.6%−6.6%+10.4%+36.2%−20.1%−20.2%+20.0%+34.6%−6.1%+37.7%+59.2%+42.4%+12.9%+7.3%−31.0%+11.9%+49.5%
HWM Howmet Aerospace Inc.13 of 29+87.9%+103%+37.8%+24.2%+11.7%−7.2%+83.6%−37.5%+48.4%−11.5%−36.3%+50.9%+25.6%+2.9%−42.9%−2.8%+51.3%−67.4%+26.4%+5.5%−1.8%−14.1%+75.3%−33.1%+9.8%−15.9%+133%+7.0%+11.8%
DRS Leonardo DRS, Inc.11 of 29+6.6%+61.2%+56.8%+35.7%−3.3%+87.7%+101%−16.2%+166%+63.2%−85.8%+72.6%+37.7%−45.4%−22.0%+10.7%+209%−63.6%−2.7%−37.1%−28.9%−14.6%+183%−62.3%−33.2%−36.0%+28.2%−11.4%−65.1%
CW Curtiss-Wright Corporation16 of 29+55.7%+59.7%+34.0%+21.0%+19.9%−16.8%+38.7%−15.8%+24.5%+44.4%−2.2%+14.3%+91.4%−6.0%+7.5%+7.1%−5.2%−32.9%+36.2%+36.9%−4.3%+28.4%+42.3%+34.9%+3.9%+27.8%−1.8%+6.3%+46.4%
GE GE Aerospace13 of 29+85.7%+64.9%+95.8%−10.9%+9.7%−2.7%+54.0%−55.4%−42.9%+4.6%+27.5%−6.7%+37.9%+21.3%+1.3%+24.3%−1.9%−53.9%+2.7%+9.3%−1.4%+20.7%+30.7%−37.7%−15.1%−6.0%+53.6%+41.0%+51.0%
HEI HEICO Corporation19 of 29+36.2%+33.1%+16.6%+6.7%+9.1%+16.2%+47.5%+28.6%+53.0%+42.3%−9.7%+4.5%+63.2%+1.1%+43.6%+44.3%+14.5%−28.6%+40.7%+50.4%+14.9%+38.1%+73.2%−29.5%+6.7%−28.3%−30.8%+66.7%+78.9%
TDG TransDigm Group Incorporated13 of 19+12.2%+32.3%+66.6%+1.8%+2.8%+10.5%+84.4%+23.8%+19.8%+19.1%+16.4%+39.9%+36.8%+56.1%+32.9%+51.6%+67.3%−25.7%+70.4%——————————
KTOS Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.9 of 26+188%+30.0%+96.6%−46.8%−29.3%+52.3%+27.8%+33.1%+43.1%+80.5%−18.3%−34.6%+52.7%−15.8%−54.7%+24.8%−24.6%−40.4%−17.5%−44.1%−46.0%−36.5%+147%−10.7%−81.4%−16.9%———
AVAV AeroVironment, Inc.8 of 18+57.2%+22.1%+47.1%+38.1%−28.6%+40.8%−9.1%+21.0%+109%−9.0%+8.2%−6.5%+34.0%−30.9%+17.3%−7.7%−21.0%+52.1%———————————
BWXT BWX Technologies, Inc.8 of 15+56.4%+46.5%+33.9%+23.3%−19.4%−1.5%+64.5%−36.1%+53.6%+26.2%+48.2%−10.2%+32.0%+8.9%−5.6%——————————————
HXL Hexcel Corporation14 of 29+19.2%−14.2%+26.2%+14.4%+6.8%−33.7%+28.9%−6.5%+21.1%+11.9%+12.9%−7.1%+65.8%+11.3%+33.9%+39.4%+75.5%−69.5%+39.5%−3.6%+24.5%+95.6%+147%−2.5%−65.5%+60.7%−33.6%−66.4%+53.5%
LMT Lockheed Martin Corporation17 of 29+2.5%+10.0%−4.3%+40.5%+3.1%−6.5%+52.5%−16.4%+30.0%+18.4%+16.2%+33.8%+68.1%+19.5%+20.7%−3.9%−7.6%−18.6%+16.0%+47.0%+16.5%+10.0%−10.0%+24.7%+39.0%+57.9%−46.9%−12.6%+9.5%
DAL Delta Air Lines, Inc.8 of 18+16.1%+52.0%+23.0%−15.9%−2.8%−30.8%+20.4%−8.7%+16.2%−1.4%+4.1%+80.5%+133%+46.7%−35.8%+10.7%−0.7%−23.0%———————————
NOC Northrop Grumman Corporation18 of 29+23.6%+1.9%−12.8%+43.0%+29.3%−9.9%+42.7%−18.9%+33.9%+25.2%+30.5%+31.4%+74.4%+19.6%+2.9%+19.7%+28.5%−41.2%+18.4%+14.6%+12.6%+15.7%+0.3%−2.4%+23.7%+57.3%−24.2%−35.3%+41.5%
LHX L3Harris Technologies, Inc.15 of 29+42.3%+1.9%+3.7%−0.5%+15.0%−2.8%+49.2%−3.4%+40.8%+20.7%+24.0%+5.5%+46.7%+40.3%−18.4%−2.7%+31.5%−38.4%+38.0%+7.5%+40.3%+64.0%+46.1%−13.0%+0.2%+15.4%+4.6%−18.1%+36.6%
GD General Dynamics Corporation14 of 29+30.4%+3.5%+7.1%+21.7%+43.8%−13.1%+14.8%−21.3%+19.9%+28.5%+1.8%+47.3%+41.0%+8.2%−3.9%+6.7%+21.6%−34.2%+21.4%+32.1%+10.6%+17.4%+16.0%+1.1%+3.6%+50.5%−9.2%+38.6%+25.3%
HII Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.9 of 14+84.2%−25.7%+15.2%+26.3%+12.1%−30.4%+34.0%−18.2%+29.5%+47.2%+14.4%+26.1%+109%+38.9%———————————————
TXT Textron Inc.15 of 29+14.1%−4.8%+13.7%−8.2%+59.9%+8.6%−2.9%−18.6%+16.7%+15.8%0.0%+14.7%+48.7%+34.5%−21.5%+26.1%+36.7%−80.0%+54.4%+24.0%+6.3%+32.2%+37.1%+6.9%−8.5%−37.8%+2.6%+24.3%+34.8%
UAL United Airlines Holdings, Inc.8 of 19+15.2%+135%+9.4%−13.9%+1.2%−50.9%+5.2%+24.2%−7.5%+27.2%−14.3%+76.8%+61.8%+23.9%−20.8%+84.5%+17.2%−64.3%−18.9%——————————
BA The Boeing Company12 of 29+22.7%−32.1%+36.8%−5.4%−5.9%−33.9%+3.3%+11.5%+94.7%+11.3%+14.1%−2.5%+84.7%+5.2%+15.2%+23.6%+31.8%−50.1%−0.1%+28.4%+37.9%+24.9%+30.4%−13.4%−40.4%+61.2%+28.7%−32.5%−7.1%
AAL American Airlines Group Inc.6 of 20−12.0%+26.9%+8.0%−29.2%+13.9%−44.8%−9.6%−37.7%+12.4%+11.5%−20.3%+113%+87.0%+166%−49.4%+107%−37.5%−47.4%−72.7%+45.0%—————————
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Risk and diversification

How RTX has fallen, how it held up in crashes beside the S&P 500 and its popular alternatives, and what moves independently of it.

What were RTX's worst declines?

A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents RTX's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 1986, alongside the S&P 500's return over the same dates, and how long each took to recover. Together, these figures show how much an investor could have lost and how long it took to get back to even.

Green means RTX fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.

DuringRTX fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
2008 financial crisis−52.6%−54.6%Oct 2007Mar 200917 monthsNov 201020 months
Dot-com bust−52.1%−23.7%May 2001Sep 20014 monthsOct 20032.1 years
Covid crash−52.0%−32.5%Feb 2020Mar 20201 monthJun 202115 months
No named crash−49.1%—Aug 1987Dec 19874 monthsAug 198920 months
No named crash−34.9%+4.7%May 1999Mar 200010 monthsDec 20009 months

How did RTX do in stock market crashes?

This section measures how far RTX, the S&P 500 and each alternative fell from peak to trough during every major market crash since 2000. A smaller decline means an investment held up better, and comparing results across crashes shows whether that resilience was consistent or a one-off.

Newest crash first. Each figure is the fund's deepest fall within the crash window; green means a smaller fall than RTX.

InvestmentHeld up better2023 regional bank crisisMar 20232022 bear marketJan 2022Covid crashFeb 2020Late-2018 sell-offSep 2018February 2018 volatility shockFeb 20182015 China and oil sell-offAug 20152011 euro debt crisisJul 20112010 flash crashMay 20102008 financial crisisOct 2007Dot-com bustMar 2000
RTX This pageRTX Corporation—−1.5%−21.9%−50.5%−27.7%−7.1%−15.4%−23.1%−2.5%−52.0%−52.1%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF7 of 10−3.4%−24.5%−33.7%−19.3%−6.5%−12.8%−17.9%−1.5%−55.2%−47.5%
ATI ATI Inc.2 of 10−8.7%−30.9%−74.4%−28.7%−4.5%−65.6%−48.4%0.0%−86.7%−73.7%
MOG-A Moog Inc.3 of 10−6.4%−21.3%−61.7%−20.0%−9.2%−42.3%−29.1%−4.3%−62.9%−38.2%
HWM Howmet Aerospace Inc.2 of 10−8.5%−20.2%−64.8%−30.8%−16.0%−38.4%−43.5%0.0%−87.3%−58.3%
DRS Leonardo DRS, Inc.1 of 10−4.6%−52.8%−62.7%−17.0%−7.6%−74.5%−56.4%−10.2%−78.2%−93.4%
CW Curtiss-Wright Corporation6 of 10−4.4%−20.5%−47.8%−29.6%−9.6%−12.9%−19.3%−1.7%−59.2%−33.7%
GE GE Aerospace2 of 10−2.8%−40.7%−51.5%−50.7%−7.6%−12.3%−22.1%−2.5%−82.7%−61.9%
HEI HEICO Corporation3 of 10−3.7%−18.8%−52.4%−22.6%−7.3%−14.6%−27.3%−3.0%−61.4%−53.9%
TDG TransDigm Group Incorporated2 of 9−8.1%−24.9%−61.7%−16.3%−8.1%−23.4%−20.6%−3.2%−51.7%—
KTOS Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.1 of 10−3.1%−57.5%−51.1%−19.8%−7.4%−41.5%−47.3%−3.9%−80.6%−97.5%
AVAV AeroVironment, Inc.3 of 9−4.1%−31.7%−27.0%−42.2%−7.6%−28.1%−22.3%−3.0%−24.4%—
BWXT BWX Technologies, Inc.3 of 7−3.1%−18.1%−40.1%−41.6%−6.2%−16.0%−31.1%———
HXL Hexcel Corporation3 of 10−6.2%−19.6%−61.3%−21.0%−6.0%−29.2%−25.1%−3.5%−82.8%−86.7%
LMT Lockheed Martin Corporation9 of 10−0.8%−16.9%−35.9%−29.4%−5.2%−8.5%−17.3%−1.9%−50.5%−24.5%
DAL Delta Air Lines, Inc.3 of 9−10.2%−37.4%−63.5%−21.0%−7.6%−22.0%−21.3%−0.2%−81.1%—
NOC Northrop Grumman Corporation5 of 10−1.6%−11.2%−26.1%−29.0%−4.3%−9.1%−24.7%−2.7%−58.7%−27.6%
LHX L3Harris Technologies, Inc.4 of 10−2.6%−22.2%−33.2%−26.3%−4.9%−19.9%−22.8%−2.9%−56.1%−45.2%
GD General Dynamics Corporation4 of 10−3.6%−15.3%−43.2%−28.4%−7.1%−18.1%−21.8%−2.2%−61.0%−32.4%
HII Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.3 of 7−2.1%−13.0%−34.8%−32.0%−7.5%−13.4%−33.3%———
TXT Textron Inc.2 of 10−8.1%−25.9%−54.5%−38.9%−6.0%−29.0%−39.9%−9.4%−94.7%−49.9%
UAL United Airlines Holdings, Inc.4 of 9−10.0%−38.5%−73.4%−18.2%−4.1%−26.7%−20.2%−0.4%−93.0%—
BA The Boeing Company4 of 10−2.9%−48.7%−71.9%−24.7%−5.7%−26.8%−20.5%−1.8%−70.0%−57.1%
AAL American Airlines Group Inc.1 of 9−10.5%−41.3%−64.0%−31.6%−7.0%−23.3%−32.0%−0.2%−94.4%—
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How closely does RTX move with the S&P 500?

Upside capture measures how much of the S&P 500's gains an investment kept in the months the market rose, and downside capture how much of its losses it took in the months the market fell. An investment that captures more of the gains than the losses has compounded ahead of the market over time. This section compares RTX with its popular alternatives on both measures, and on beta (how strongly each has moved with the market), over the past 10 years.

Monthly total returns over the past 10 years, measured against SPY. 100% capture or a beta of 1.00 means moving in line with the S&P 500. Green marks a better figure than RTX's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
RTX This pageRTX Corporation94%91%1.020.89
DRS Leonardo DRS, Inc.125%4%27.820.66
NOC Northrop Grumman Corporation49%32%1.550.35
HEI HEICO Corporation118%85%1.391.15
CW Curtiss-Wright Corporation103%77%1.331.20
HWM Howmet Aerospace Inc.142%115%1.231.41
ATI ATI Inc.141%116%1.221.37
LMT Lockheed Martin Corporation58%48%1.220.52
BWXT BWX Technologies, Inc.82%68%1.210.87
MOG-A Moog Inc.119%101%1.181.20
TDG TransDigm Group Incorporated112%97%1.151.25
LHX L3Harris Technologies, Inc.72%65%1.110.70
AVAV AeroVironment, Inc.120%114%1.050.90
GD General Dynamics Corporation68%68%1.000.71
KTOS Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.133%135%0.990.98
GE GE Aerospace85%106%0.801.21
HII Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.71%90%0.790.60
DAL Delta Air Lines, Inc.107%149%0.721.34
HXL Hexcel Corporation94%135%0.691.27
UAL United Airlines Holdings, Inc.107%158%0.681.41
TXT Textron Inc.103%155%0.661.33
BA The Boeing Company93%152%0.611.42
AAL American Airlines Group Inc.70%199%0.351.53
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What diversifies RTX?

Correlation measures how closely two investments move together, on a scale from 1 (in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to -1 (in opposite directions). This section lists large ETFs and stocks whose returns have had a low correlation with RTX's. Because such investments tend not to fall at the same time, pairing RTX with them can reduce a portfolio's overall swings.

Only ETFs with at least $1.0B in assets and stocks worth at least $10B, with a correlation below 0.5 over the past 5 years and a positive return, are included, ranked by Sharpe ratio; funds that hold the same thing are shown once. The year columns are the years in which RTX lost money. The last two columns show a portfolio that is 80% RTX and 20% the other investment, rebalanced monthly.

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe2023202020182015201120082002200180/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
RTX RTX Corporation (this page)1.00+135%0.83−14.4%−16.7%−14.5%−14.3%−4.8%−28.4%−2.6%−16.8%24.0%+19.2%
LVHI InternationalFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF0.39+119%1.48+17.4%−9.0%−5.2%—————20.0%+19.2%
DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund0.15+225%1.34+42.0%+3.9%−19.8%+7.7%−16.1%−20.8%——19.8%+21.3%
EMLP Broad MarketFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund0.38+101%1.04+8.0%−13.4%−8.7%−25.3%————20.5%+18.9%
FDL Dividend & IncomeFirst Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund0.46+91.8%0.98+3.0%−4.3%−6.0%+2.6%+14.5%−31.1%——20.9%+18.4%
SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF-0.06+323%0.97+73.4%+55.5%−9.1%−0.3%+6.8%−44.7%−47.0%−14.6%20.0%+24.4%
DBEF InternationalXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF0.32+85.0%0.96+20.1%+2.1%−9.5%+4.1%————20.0%+18.6%
GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares0.34+126%0.96+12.7%+24.8%−1.9%−10.7%+9.6%+4.9%——20.6%+19.6%
SPMO Broad MarketInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF0.10+136%0.93+17.6%+28.2%−0.9%—————20.1%+20.5%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe2023202020182015201120082002200180/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
RTX RTX Corporation (this page)1.00+135%0.83−14.4%−16.7%−14.5%−14.3%−4.8%−28.4%−2.6%−16.8%24.0%+19.2%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.32+479%1.55+34.1%+10.1%−24.5%+12.6%+8.1%−39.6%−8.3%−2.5%21.5%+23.5%
CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc.-0.01+3,143%1.47+160%−2.4%−16.3%−6.0%−24.4%−20.5%−65.1%−25.6%22.4%+37.5%
FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc.0.14+1,636%1.46+79.6%+6.7%+0.8%+67.7%−17.0%−15.2%−9.4%+73.7%22.3%+32.9%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation0.28+413%1.44+24.1%+27.1%−28.4%−4.5%+11.8%−40.4%−27.2%+4.9%21.2%+22.9%
MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation0.19+690%1.41+30.4%−27.4%−8.2%+17.4%————21.4%+25.8%
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Common questions

What was RTX's worst drawdown?

RTX's deepest decline since it began trading in 1986 was 52.6%, from October 2007 to March 2009. It took 20 months from the low to climb back to its old high.

What were RTX's best and worst years?

Over 29 full calendar years, RTX's best year was 2025, when it returned 61.4%. Its worst was 2008, with a return of -28.4%.

Is there a better investment than RTX?

Among RTX's popular alternatives, ATI and MOG-A were ahead of RTX in most short and long periods, though with much bigger swings (42.9% and 32.0% volatility against 24.3%). Looking beyond its popular alternatives, RS (metals & mining) earned more for the risk it took than RTX over the past 5 years, and its worst fall in 10 years was 40.8%, against 52.0% for RTX.

Is RTX more volatile than the S&P 500?

Yes. RTX's volatility over the past 5 years was 24.3%, 1.4 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, RTX's return lands within 24.3% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump.

What is RTX's Sharpe ratio?

RTX's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.83, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so RTX earned more for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings.

How correlated is RTX with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, RTX's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.20 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They are only loosely linked, which makes it a real diversifier next to an index fund. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against RTX instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a RTX holding.

What are the best alternatives to RTX?

Of the 22 popular alternatives we compared, two outperformed RTX in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: ATI and MOG-A.

Did RTX outperform the S&P 500?

RTX finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 16 of 29 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned +61.4%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did RTX do in stock market crashes?

RTX fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in three of the ten major crashes it has traded through, and further in seven. The clearest case was the Covid crash, when RTX fell 50.5% and the S&P 500 fell 33.7%.

What diversifies RTX?

These had a low correlation with RTX over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, LVHI (correlation 0.39), DXJ (correlation 0.15) and EMLP (correlation 0.38); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.32), CLS (correlation -0.01) and FIX (correlation 0.14). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

How we measure

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Popular alternatives to RTX

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