Margin From 9.0% to 12.6%Narrow moat

RTX (RTX) — moat facet

Raytheon's margin has recovered from 9.0% to 12.6% on volume and Patriot mix, but a government customer caps how high it can go.

Raytheon earns less than its franchises suggest, but the gap is closing. The segment earned 12.8% on sales in 20211, fell to 9.7% in 2022 and 9.0% in 202323, and recovered to 11.5% in 2025 and 12.6% in the second quarter of 202645.

Raytheon operating margin (%)12.8%20219.7%20229.0%20239.7%202411.5%202512.6%Q2 2026RTX Forms 10-K FY2023 and FY2025, Q2 2026 release; 2021-22 calculated
Back where it was in 2021.

The recovery comes from volume and mix. Raytheon's second-quarter adjusted operating profit rose $234 million, driven by "higher volume, favorable mix, including Patriot programs and improved productivity"6, and its margin expanded 100 basis points.

Management raised its 2026 outlook for Raytheon's operating profit growth to between $575 million and $650 million over 2025, from $275 million to $375 million7. That is the largest upgrade in RTX's guidance.

A defence margin has a ceiling. The U.S. government audits costs and sets profit on many contracts; RTX's pension costs are recovered "through the pricing of our products and services to the U.S. government"8. The upside is volume, not price.

The recovery was partly the absence of bad news. Raytheon's 2025 profit benefited from the absence of a $53 million unfavourable adjustment on a classified programme taken in the third quarter of 20249. The underlying drivers were a favourable change in mix of $0.3 billion, mainly increased production on Patriot, and higher volume10.

A defence business with sole-source products and a margin in the low teens is a solid business, not a wide-margin one. Follow the segment margin: a return above 13% would say productivity is compounding, and a fall back to 10% would say the old contracts are still weighing.

Moat trajectory: Widening

Raytheon profit growth guidance raised to $575-650M for 2026.

The number that tests this moat
Reported
Raytheon operating margin, latest quarter
12.6% (Q2 2026: $1,042M on $8,269M)

Productivity on a government-priced business; back to 10% would mean old contracts still weigh.

Source: RTX Q2 2026 earnings release ↗
⚠ Threats to the moat
⚠ THREAT 01
The Defective-Pricing Settlement
RTX paid $0.9 billion in 2024 to settle defective-pricing and foreign-payment cases, and works under a State Department export Consent Agreement.
References
  1. Moat Explorer calcThe segment earned 12.8% on sales in 2021, fell to 9.7% in 2022 and 9.0% in 2023, and recovered to 11.5% in 2025 and 12.6% in the second quarter of 2026.
    Moat Explorer calculation from RTX's segment results (Forms 10-K FY2023 and FY2025, Q2 2026 earnings release; $ millions). Operating margins: Collins 2,380 / 21,152 = 11.3% (2021), 2,816 / 23,052 = 12.2% (2022), 4,923 / 30,196 = 16.3% (2025), H1 2026 2,613 / 15,812 = 16.5%, Q2 2026 1,306 / 8,210 = 15.9%, Q1 2026 (first half less Q2) 1,307 / 7,602 = 17.2%; Pratt & Whitney 454 / 18,150 = 2.5% (2021), 1,075 / 20,530 = 5.2% (2022), 2,015 / 28,066 = 7.2% (2024), 2,596 / 32,916 = 7.9% (2025), H1 2026 1,448 / 17,062 = 8.5%, Q2 2026 738 / 8,889 = 8.3%; Raytheon 3,399 / 26,611 = 12.8% (2021), 2,448 / 25,176 = 9.7% (2022), 2,379 / 26,350 = 9.0% (2023), 3,227 / 28,043 = 11.5% (2025), Q2 2026 1,042 / 8,269 = 12.6%; Q1 2026 Raytheon sales 15,214 - 8,269 = 6,945. Growth 2021-2025: Collins 30,196 / 21,152 - 1 = 43% (about 9% a year), operating profit 4,923 / 2,380 = 2.07 times; Pratt & Whitney 32,916 / 18,150 - 1 = 81%, 2025 32,916 / 28,066 - 1 = 17%; Raytheon 28,043 / 26,611 - 1 = 5%. 2025 shares of segment sales (91,155): Pratt & Whitney 36%, Collins 33%, Raytheon 31%; of segment operating profit (10,746): Collins 4,923 = 45.8%, Raytheon 3,227 = 30.0%, Pratt & Whitney 2,596 = 24.2%. Operating profit over segment assets 2025: Collins 4,923 / 71,680 = 6.9%, Raytheon 3,227 / 44,795 = 7.2%, Pratt & Whitney 2,596 / 52,482 = 4.9%. Pratt & Whitney services share 14,449 / 32,916 = 44%; services growth 14,449 / 9,717 = 1.49 times. Collins commercial share 18,858 / 27,585 = 68%; Collins government sales 7,061 + 436 + 1,230 = 8,727, 8,727 / 27,585 = 32%. Raytheon U.S. government share 19,237 / 27,892 = 69%. Collins services share 6,118 / 27,585 = 22%. Pratt & Whitney segment assets 52,482 / 44,307 - 1 = 18%. Pratt & Whitney 2025 defence bookings other than F135: about 9.0 - 2.9 - 2.4 = 3.7 billion. GE Aerospace Commercial Engines & Services profit 8,861 against Pratt & Whitney 2,596: 3.4 times; margins 26.6% against 7.9%. — 2021-2026 · publ. September 2026 · source ↗
    Method: Arithmetic on figures reported in RTX's Forms 10-K and 10-Q, earnings releases, earnings call and market data; operands shown in the source line.
  2. ReportedThe segment earned 12.8% on sales in 2021, fell to 9.7% in 2022 and 9.0% in 2023, and recovered to 11.5% in 2025 and 12.6% in the second quarter of 2026.
    RTX Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 - Item 7 segment review and Note 20: net sales and operating profit by segment for 2023-2025, organic sales drivers (commercial aftermarket, OEM, military), sales by customer type, products and services, segment assets, capital expenditure and research and development - totals across segments: segment sales and profit, eliminations, acquisition accounting and FAS/CAS adjustments. — FY2023-FY2025 · publ. 6 February 2026 · source ↗
  3. Moat Explorer calcThe segment earned 12.8% on sales in 2021, fell to 9.7% in 2022 and 9.0% in 2023, and recovered to 11.5% in 2025 and 12.6% in the second quarter of 2026.
    Moat Explorer calculation from RTX's segment results (Forms 10-K FY2023 and FY2025, Q2 2026 earnings release; $ millions). Operating margins: Collins 2,380 / 21,152 = 11.3% (2021), 2,816 / 23,052 = 12.2% (2022), 4,923 / 30,196 = 16.3% (2025), H1 2026 2,613 / 15,812 = 16.5%, Q2 2026 1,306 / 8,210 = 15.9%, Q1 2026 (first half less Q2) 1,307 / 7,602 = 17.2%; Pratt & Whitney 454 / 18,150 = 2.5% (2021), 1,075 / 20,530 = 5.2% (2022), 2,015 / 28,066 = 7.2% (2024), 2,596 / 32,916 = 7.9% (2025), H1 2026 1,448 / 17,062 = 8.5%, Q2 2026 738 / 8,889 = 8.3%; Raytheon 3,399 / 26,611 = 12.8% (2021), 2,448 / 25,176 = 9.7% (2022), 2,379 / 26,350 = 9.0% (2023), 3,227 / 28,043 = 11.5% (2025), Q2 2026 1,042 / 8,269 = 12.6%; Q1 2026 Raytheon sales 15,214 - 8,269 = 6,945. Growth 2021-2025: Collins 30,196 / 21,152 - 1 = 43% (about 9% a year), operating profit 4,923 / 2,380 = 2.07 times; Pratt & Whitney 32,916 / 18,150 - 1 = 81%, 2025 32,916 / 28,066 - 1 = 17%; Raytheon 28,043 / 26,611 - 1 = 5%. 2025 shares of segment sales (91,155): Pratt & Whitney 36%, Collins 33%, Raytheon 31%; of segment operating profit (10,746): Collins 4,923 = 45.8%, Raytheon 3,227 = 30.0%, Pratt & Whitney 2,596 = 24.2%. Operating profit over segment assets 2025: Collins 4,923 / 71,680 = 6.9%, Raytheon 3,227 / 44,795 = 7.2%, Pratt & Whitney 2,596 / 52,482 = 4.9%. Pratt & Whitney services share 14,449 / 32,916 = 44%; services growth 14,449 / 9,717 = 1.49 times. Collins commercial share 18,858 / 27,585 = 68%; Collins government sales 7,061 + 436 + 1,230 = 8,727, 8,727 / 27,585 = 32%. Raytheon U.S. government share 19,237 / 27,892 = 69%. Collins services share 6,118 / 27,585 = 22%. Pratt & Whitney segment assets 52,482 / 44,307 - 1 = 18%. Pratt & Whitney 2025 defence bookings other than F135: about 9.0 - 2.9 - 2.4 = 3.7 billion. GE Aerospace Commercial Engines & Services profit 8,861 against Pratt & Whitney 2,596: 3.4 times; margins 26.6% against 7.9%. — 2021-2026 · publ. September 2026 · source ↗
    Method: Arithmetic on figures reported in RTX's Forms 10-K and 10-Q, earnings releases, earnings call and market data; operands shown in the source line.
  4. ReportedThe segment earned 12.8% on sales in 2021, fell to 9.7% in 2022 and 9.0% in 2023, and recovered to 11.5% in 2025 and 12.6% in the second quarter of 2026.
    RTX Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 - Item 7 segment review and Note 20: net sales and operating profit by segment for 2023-2025, organic sales drivers (commercial aftermarket, OEM, military), sales by customer type, products and services, segment assets, capital expenditure and research and development - totals across segments: segment sales and profit, eliminations, acquisition accounting and FAS/CAS adjustments. — FY2023-FY2025 · publ. 6 February 2026 · source ↗
  5. ReportedThe segment earned 12.8% on sales in 2021, fell to 9.7% in 2022 and 9.0% in 2023, and recovered to 11.5% in 2025 and 12.6% in the second quarter of 2026.
    RTX second-quarter 2026 earnings release, Form 8-K exhibit 99 - sales of $24.7 billion, segment results, cash flow, balance sheet and raised 2026 outlook. — Q2 2026 · publ. 23 July 2026 · source ↗
  6. ReportedRaytheon's second-quarter adjusted operating profit rose $234 million, driven by "higher volume, favorable mix, including Patriot programs and improved productivity", and its margin expanded 100 basis points.
    RTX second-quarter 2026 earnings call transcript (The Motley Fool) - Raytheon bookings and book-to-bill, GTF aircraft-on-ground and MRO output, munitions output, framework agreements, the defence budget request, GTF Advantage, Collins margin plans and segment outlook - defence: Raytheon bookings, book-to-bill and backlog, munitions output, framework agreements and the budget request. — Q2 2026 · publ. 24 July 2026 · source ↗
  7. ReportedManagement raised its 2026 outlook for Raytheon's operating profit growth to between $575 million and $650 million over 2025, from $275 million to $375 million.
    RTX second-quarter 2026 earnings call transcript (The Motley Fool) - Raytheon bookings and book-to-bill, GTF aircraft-on-ground and MRO output, munitions output, framework agreements, the defence budget request, GTF Advantage, Collins margin plans and segment outlook - defence: Raytheon bookings, book-to-bill and backlog, munitions output, framework agreements and the budget request. — Q2 2026 · publ. 24 July 2026 · source ↗
  8. ReportedThe U.S. government audits costs and sets profit on many contracts; RTX's pension costs are recovered "through the pricing of our products and services to the U.S. government".
    RTX Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 - consolidated financial statements and notes: income statement, cash flow, dividends and repurchases, long-term debt of $37,700 million, goodwill by segment, pension income, the 2024 resolution of certain legal matters, the Raytheon contract termination and the accelerated share repurchase. — FY2023-FY2025 · publ. 6 February 2026 · source ↗
  9. ReportedRaytheon's 2025 profit benefited from the absence of a $53 million unfavourable adjustment on a classified programme taken in the third quarter of 2024.
    RTX Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 - Item 7 segment review and Note 20: net sales and operating profit by segment for 2023-2025, organic sales drivers (commercial aftermarket, OEM, military), sales by customer type, products and services, segment assets, capital expenditure and research and development - Raytheon: segment sales, operating profit, organic drivers, defence bookings and customer types. — FY2023-FY2025 · publ. 6 February 2026 · source ↗
  10. ReportedThe underlying drivers were a favourable change in mix of $0.3 billion, mainly increased production on Patriot, and higher volume.
    RTX Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 - Item 7 segment review and Note 20: net sales and operating profit by segment for 2023-2025, organic sales drivers (commercial aftermarket, OEM, military), sales by customer type, products and services, segment assets, capital expenditure and research and development - Raytheon: segment sales, operating profit, organic drivers, defence bookings and customer types. — FY2023-FY2025 · publ. 6 February 2026 · source ↗
Sources
Generated September 28, 2026