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RTX (RTX) Q1 FY26 earnings call: guidance and Q&A

Earnings call· Mar 2026 (Q1 FY26)· Industrials· Apr 21, 2026

Source: earnings call transcript

Executive summary

RTX Corporation Q1 FY26 — Strong Start with Raised Full-Year Outlook

RTX delivered a strong Q1 FY26, exceeding expectations with robust organic sales and EPS growth across all segments, driven by strong demand in both commercial and defense. The company raised its full-year sales and EPS outlook, while maintaining its free cash flow target, reflecting confidence in continued operational execution and backlog conversion despite ongoing supply chain and geopolitical dynamics.

Highlights

5
  • Adjusted sales were $22.1 billion, up 10% organically year-over-year.

  • Adjusted EPS of $1.78 was up 21% year-over-year.

  • Free cash flow of $1.3 billion was up $500 million from Q1 last year.

  • Backlog reached a record $271 billion, up 25% year-over-year, with a book-to-bill of 1.14.

  • Full-year adjusted sales outlook raised by $500 million to $92.5 billion-$93.5 billion, and adjusted EPS raised by $0.10 to $6.70-$6.90.

Concerns

5
  • Collins' mods and upgrades sales declined 3% year-over-year.

  • Pratt & Whitney's commercial OE sales were down 1% year-over-year due to lower engine deliveries.

  • Collins' operating margins faced a 130 basis point headwind from tariffs in the quarter.

  • Pratt & Whitney's operating margins faced a 50 basis point headwind from tariffs in the quarter.

  • Ongoing supply chain constraints for critical materials like Rocket Motors and microelectronics persist.

Guidance & targets

CategoryTargetConfidence
Full-year adjusted sales
$92.5B-$93.5B
high materiality
High
Full-year adjusted EPS
$6.70-$6.90
high materiality
High
Full-year free cash flow
$8.25B-$8.75B
high materiality
High
Full-year RTX organic sales growth
5%-6%
medium materiality
High
Full-year commercial OE sales growth
mid-single digits
medium materiality
High
Full-year commercial aftermarket sales growth
high single digits
medium materiality
High
Full-year defense sales growth
mid to high single digits
medium materiality
High
Full-year large commercial engine delivery growth (Pratt)
mid to high single-digit
medium materiality
High
Raytheon full-year sales growth
high single digits
medium materiality
High
Raytheon full-year operating profit growth
$275M-$375M
medium materiality
High
Collins full-year sales growth
mid-single digits adjusted, high single digits organically
medium materiality
High
Collins full-year operating profit growth
$425M-$525M
medium materiality
High
Pratt & Whitney full-year sales growth
mid-single digits on an adjusted and organic basis
medium materiality
High
Pratt & Whitney full-year operating profit growth
$225M-$325M
medium materiality
High
GTF Advantage entry into service
later this year
medium materiality
High
PW1100 AOGs trend
downward trend to continue
medium materiality
High
Manufacturing hours connected to data platform
60%
low materiality
High

Segment performance

SegmentRevenueYoYQoQMargin
Collins Aerospace
Sales driven by strength across all channels. Operating profit increased due to higher commercial and defense volume and lower R&D expense, partially offset by unfavorable commercial OE mix, divestitures, and tariffs.
Commercial OE sales growth (adjusted for divestitures): 15%Commercial aftermarket sales growth: 7%Provisioning sales growth: 15%Parts and repair sales growth: 8%Mods and upgrades sales decline: 3%Defense sales growth: 9%Operating profit increase: $71MMargin expansion: 10 bps YoYTariff headwind: 130 bps
$7.6B5% adjusted, 10% organically—$1.3B operating profit
Pratt & Whitney
Sales driven by strength in commercial aftermarket and military. Operating profit increased due to higher commercial aftermarket and military volume, partially offset by higher operational costs including tariffs and SG&A.
Commercial OE sales growth: -1%Commercial aftermarket sales growth: 19%Military engines sales growth: 7%Operating profit increase: $121MMargin expansion: 70 bps YoYTariff headwind: 50 bps
$8.2B11% adjusted, 10% organically—$711M operating profit
Raytheon
Sales driven by higher volume on land and air defense systems (Patriot, GEM-T) and naval munitions programs. Operating profit increased due to favorable program mix, higher volume, and improved net productivity.
Operating profit increase: $167MMargin expansion: 150 bps YoYBookings: $6.6BBook-to-bill (in-quarter): 0.96Book-to-bill (rolling 12-month): 1.48Backlog: $74B
$6.9B10% adjusted, 9% organically—$845M operating profit

RTX operating KPIs by quarter

RTX operating KPIs stated on its earnings calls, by fiscal quarter
KPI Mar 2025 Q1 FY25 Sep 2025 Q3 FY25 Dec 2025 Q4 FY25This call Mar 2026 Q1 FY26 Jun 2026 Q2 FY26Change vs prior quarter
Backlog
$217B We exited the quarter with a backlog of $217 billion, which was up 8% year-over-year and includes $125 billion of commercial orders and $92 billion of defense awards. Source: earnings call transcript
$251B On the orders front, our book-to-bill in the quarter was 1.63, resulting in a backlog of $251 billion, up 13% year-over-year. Source: earnings call transcript
—
$271B Our book-to-bill in the quarter was 1.14, and our backlog is a record $271 billion, up 25% year-over-year with strong commercial and defense awards in the quarter. Source: earnings call transcript
$289B Our backlog stands at yet another record of $289 billion, up 22% year-over-year and 6% sequentially. Source: earnings call transcript
+6.6%
Orders Raytheon
$4.4B Bookings in the quarter were $4.4 billion, resulting in a book-to-bill of 0.7. Source: earnings call transcript
$15.9B Bookings in the quarter were $15.9 billion, resulting in a book-to-bill of 2.27 and a record backlog of $72 billion. Source: earnings call transcript
$10.3B Bookings in the quarter were $10.3 billion resulting in a book-to-bill of 1.35 and a record backlog of $75 billion with a full year book-to-bill of 1.43. Source: earnings call transcript
$6.6B And Raytheon booked $6.6 billion of awards in the quarter, including over $600 million to supply the Netherlands with Patriot equipment and over $400 million from the US Army for our lower-tier air and missile defense sensors. Source: earnings call transcript
$19.9B Bookings in the quarter were $19.9 billion, resulting in a book-to-bill of 2.42 and a backlog of $86 billion. Source: earnings call transcript
+201.5%
Book-to-bill ratio Raytheon
0.7 ratio Bookings in the quarter were $4.4 billion, resulting in a book-to-bill of 0.7. Source: earnings call transcript
2.27 ratio Bookings in the quarter were $15.9 billion, resulting in a book-to-bill of 2.27 and a record backlog of $72 billion. Source: earnings call transcript
1.35 ratio Bookings in the quarter were $10.3 billion resulting in a book-to-bill of 1.35 and a record backlog of $75 billion with a full year book-to-bill of 1.43. Source: earnings call transcript
0.96 ratio Bookings in the quarter were $6.6 billion, resulting in a book-to-bill of 0.96 and a backlog of $74 billion. Source: earnings call transcript
2.42 ratio Bookings in the quarter were $19.9 billion, resulting in a book-to-bill of 2.42 and a backlog of $86 billion. Source: earnings call transcript
+152.1%
Book-to-bill ratio —
1.63 ratio On the orders front, our book-to-bill in the quarter was 1.63, resulting in a backlog of $251 billion, up 13% year-over-year. Source: earnings call transcript
—
1.14 ratio Our book-to-bill in the quarter was 1.14, and our backlog is a record $271 billion, up 25% year-over-year with strong commercial and defense awards in the quarter. Source: earnings call transcript
——
Backlog Raytheon—
$72B Bookings in the quarter were $15.9 billion, resulting in a book-to-bill of 2.27 and a record backlog of $72 billion. Source: earnings call transcript
$75B Bookings in the quarter were $10.3 billion resulting in a book-to-bill of 1.35 and a record backlog of $75 billion with a full year book-to-bill of 1.43. Source: earnings call transcript
$74B Bookings in the quarter were $6.6 billion, resulting in a book-to-bill of 0.96 and a backlog of $74 billion. Source: earnings call transcript
$86B Bookings in the quarter were $19.9 billion, resulting in a book-to-bill of 2.42 and a backlog of $86 billion. Source: earnings call transcript
+16.2%

Operating figures the company stated on at least two of the calls shown, checked against each call's transcript. Click a figure to read the sentence. A dash means it was not stated that quarter.

Orderbook & backlog

Total company backlog $271B Q1 FY26

up 25% year-over-year

Record backlog, with strong commercial and defense awards.

Book-to-bill ratio (company-wide) 1.14 Q1 FY26
Commercial backlog up 30% Q1 FY26

year-over-year

Strength across both OE and aftermarket.

GTF engine backlog ~8,000 engines Q1 FY26
Raytheon backlog $74B Q1 FY26
Raytheon book-to-bill (in-quarter) 0.96 Q1 FY26
Raytheon book-to-bill (rolling 12-month) 1.48 Q1 FY26

Product announcements

ProductTypeDetails
GTF Advantagemilestone
Non-kinetic Coyote effectorlaunch
Collins mission autonomy softwaremilestone
Hybrid Electric Solutions propulsion system (Turboprop demonstrator)milestone

Deals & partnerships

Vietjet Air customer contract

Selected the GTF engine to power an additional 44 aircraft.

Finnair customer contract

Announced intention to purchase up to 46 GTF-powered Embraer E2 aircraft.

Military business (Pratt) defense program award over $3B

Awarded over $3 billion for F135 Lot 19 production.

Collins defense program award $1.7B

Booked $1.7 billion for mission systems capabilities.

Collins defense program award $400M

Booked $400 million for avionics equipment supporting multiple platforms.

Netherlands defense program award over $600M

Awarded over $600 million to supply the Netherlands with Patriot equipment.

U.S. Army defense program award over $400M

Awarded over $400 million from the U.S. Army for lower-tier air and missile defense sensors.

Department of War strategic framework agreements over the next decade

Signed 5 landmark framework agreements for critical munitions, including Tomahawk, AMRAAM, and the Standard Missile family.

Raytheon defense program award over $900M

Awards for Standard Missile and Tomahawk, included in Raytheon's Q1 bookings.

UAE foreign military sales (FMS) case approval

FMS case approved for Coyote counter-UAS system for the UAE.

Capital programs

Munitions Capacity Expansion (Tucson, Huntsville, Andover) underway
Spent to date: nearly $900M
Funding: collaborative funding approach (for framework agreements)
Start: over the last 3 years

Benefit:expand capacity for munitions production (Tomahawk, AMRAAM, Standard Missile family) well above existing rates

Investments made to expand capacity at sites in Tucson, Arizona; Huntsville, Alabama; and Andover, Massachusetts to support critical munitions framework agreements.

Pratt Columbus, Georgia Facility Expansion announced $200M
Start: Q1 FY26 (announced)

Benefit:increase output of critical parts (rotating compressor and turbine discs) to support growing OE and MRO demand for commercial and military engine programs (GTF, F135)

Investment to expand capabilities at the Columbus, Georgia facility.

Raytheon Redstone Missile Integration Facility Expansion (Huntsville) completed $115M
Spent to date: completed

Benefit:increase the facility's munitions capacity by over 50%, supporting multiple systems including the Standard Missile family and associated framework agreements

Expansion of the Redstone Missile integration facility in Huntsville.

Collins Capacity Expansion for FAA Radar Systems launched
Start: Q1 FY26 (launched)

Benefit:support recently awarded FAA contract for radar systems and other air traffic modernization opportunities

Capacity expansion effort to support increased demand for air traffic modernization.

Risks & headwinds

Geopolitical Volatility Near-term

Not quantified, but acknowledged as impacting RPK growth despite solid Q1.

Mitigation:Actively monitoring the situation; underlying demand for OE and aftermarket remains durable.

Supply Chain Constraints Ongoing

Not quantified, but specifically mentioned for Rocket Motors (concentrated supply base) and microelectronics (non-A&D demand).

Mitigation:Framework agreements provide long-term visibility for supply chain investment; seeking additional suppliers for resiliency; partnering with Department of War for strategic capital; covered on critical minerals in near/medium term.

Tariff Headwinds Q1 FY26 and full year FY26

Collins 130 bps headwind, Pratt 50 bps headwind in Q1 FY26. Expected $75M year-over-year tailwind for full year.

Mitigation:Implementing mitigations; IEEPA tariffs overturned and replaced, company will submit refund requests for ~$500M paid.

Unfavorable Commercial OE Mix (Collins) Q1 FY26

Partially offset operating profit growth.

Mitigation:Offset by drop-through on higher commercial and defense volume and lower R&D expense.

Higher Operational Costs (Pratt) Q1 FY26

Partially offset operating profit growth, including tariffs and SG&A.

Mitigation:Offset by drop-through on higher commercial aftermarket and military volume.

Air Travel Growth Impact on Aftermarket Potentially later this year and into '27

Not quantified, but potential for Collins' provisioning and mods/upgrades to be impacted if airlines defer.

Mitigation:Monitoring; V2500 and GTF aftermarket demand remains robust; out-of-warranty flight hours continue to grow.

Negative Engine Margin on GTF OE Deliveries Full year FY26

Expected to be a couple of hundred million dollars of headwind on OE margins for the full year.

Mitigation:Aftermarket ramping up with low double-digit margins; disciplined cutover to GTF Advantage.

Q&A highlights

How concerned is management about the supply chain's ability to keep up with demand for missile systems, and what are the risks regarding rare earth materials?

Management is pleased with Q1 production, with munitions up over 40% year-over-year and material receipts up 13% year-over-year. They are monitoring Rocket Motors and microelectronics. Framework agreements will provide long-term visibility for supply chain investment, and the defense industrial base needs more suppliers for resiliency. RTX is covered on critical minerals in the near and medium term and is working on longer-term partnerships.

“Raytheon has had 12 consecutive quarters of material growth, which is great, and material receipts were up 13% year-over-year here in Q1.”

asked by Robert Stallard · answered by Christopher Calio

2 min read 6 chapters

Detailed narrative

Operational Execution & Productivity

RTX achieved robust productivity in Q1 FY26, driving double-digit organic sales and segment profit growth with only a 1% increase in headcount. Pratt's MRO facility in Singapore demonstrated significant advancements, increasing output by 80% over the last two years through automation, which also reduced assembly time for high-pressure compressor rotors by 50%.

Raytheon also contributed to this operational strength, with its munitions output rising over 40% year-over-year in the quarter, building on increased production from the previous year.

GTF Program and Aftermarket Update

The GTF fleet management plan remains on track, with PW1100 AOGs decreasing by 15% from the end of last year, supported by a 23% year-over-year increase in PW1100 MRO output. GTF-powered aircraft deliveries surpassed 2,700, with Pratt powering approximately 45% of A320 deliveries to date, exceeding its 40% program share.

The GTF program celebrated 10 years in service, accumulating over 50 million flight hours, and the GTF Advantage received aircraft certification, on track for entry into service later this year.

Strategic Investments in Capacity Expansion

RTX is making targeted capital investments to expand capacity across its segments to meet growing demand. Pratt announced a $200 million investment in its Columbus, Georgia facility to boost output of critical parts for both commercial and military engine programs.

Raytheon completed a $115 million expansion of its Redstone Missile integration facility in Huntsville, increasing munitions capacity by over 50%. Collins also initiated a capacity expansion effort to support a recently awarded FAA contract for radar systems and other air traffic modernization opportunities.

Innovation and Technology Roadmaps

The company is advancing key technology roadmaps, including a successful demonstration by Raytheon of a non-kinetic variant of the Coyote effector for counter-UAS missions, which is reusable. Collins achieved a successful flight test of its mission autonomy software for the U.S.

Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft Program. Furthermore, a cross-company team successfully operated a Hybrid Electric Solutions propulsion system for a turboprop demonstrator at full power, aiming for a 30% improvement in fuel efficiency for regional aircraft.

Defense Market and Framework Agreements

The current geopolitical landscape underscores the critical need for munitions depth and integrated air and missile defense. RTX's defense products, including Patriot, GEM-T, NASAMS, AMRAAM, Tomahawk, and F135, are well-positioned to address these needs. The company signed five landmark framework agreements with the Department of War for critical munitions, which are expected to provide firm demand signals over the next decade, incentivizing investment in production ramp-up and supply chain resiliency.

Tariff Impact and Refund Process

RTX's full-year outlook for tariff impact remains unchanged, anticipating a $75 million year-over-year tailwind. While IEEPA tariffs were overturned and replaced by Section 122 and Section 232 tariffs, the company has paid approximately $500 million associated with IEEPA tariffs. RTX will submit requests for refunds as the government initiates the process, but has not yet recorded any income from reversing these expenses in its current guidance.

Summary of the company's earnings call; see how call summaries are prepared. Not investment advice.