If you’ve been checking your portfolio this morning, you probably noticed that RTX Corporation is having quite a day. As of Wednesday afternoon, January 14, 2026, the rtx stock price today is hovering around $197.68, marking a solid 1.9% jump from yesterday’s close.
It actually hit an intraday high of $198.00 earlier. That’s a big deal because it’s a fresh 52-week high. Honestly, it’s basically an all-time high for the company formerly known as Raytheon Technologies.
Why is this happening right now? Well, it’s not just one thing. It's a mix of a successful NASA satellite launch, massive defense contracts in Spain, and a lot of "big money" institutional buying that’s pushing the price into uncharted territory.
The Satellite Launch and the Pandora Mission
Early this morning, RTX's subsidiary, Blue Canyon Technologies, successfully launched a Saturn-200 minisatellite. This wasn't just a routine satellite dump; it’s the backbone of NASA's Pandora mission.
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The goal is to study the atmospheres of at least 20 exoplanets. Specifically, they're looking for hydrogen- or water-dominated atmospheres. Investors love this kind of "new space economy" news because it proves RTX isn't just a "missiles and engines" company anymore.
Blue Canyon has now put 87 spacecraft into orbit. They have another 160 on order. That kind of backlog gives the market a lot of confidence in the long-term revenue stream for the space segment.
What’s Driving the RTX Stock Price Today?
The stock is trading at a P/E ratio of about 40.59. That’s objectively high. Historically, defense stocks trade at much lower multiples, so you've gotta wonder if it's getting a bit frothy.
But look at the backlog.
- Spain just dropped $1.7 billion for four Patriot air and missile defense systems.
- The FAA recently handed Collins Aerospace (an RTX business) $438 million to swap out aging radar systems.
- Raytheon secured another $634 million in various missile contracts this month alone.
When you add that to a total company backlog of over $250 billion, the high valuation starts to make a little more sense to the bulls. People are paying a premium because the visibility of future earnings is so clear.
Analyst Sentiment Is a Mixed Bag
Even with the stock hitting new highs, not everyone is screaming "buy." UBS recently downgraded the stock to Neutral. They aren't saying it's a bad company, but they think the risk-to-reward ratio is finally balanced out at these prices. Their price target is $199.00.
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On the flip side, Morgan Stanley is still very bullish with a $215.00 target. Citigroup even pushed theirs up to $227.00.
There's also a weird amount of call option activity lately—nearly 16,000 contracts, which is way above the norm. This usually means traders are betting on even more upside before the month is out.
The Earnings Countdown
We are exactly 13 days away from the next big catalyst. RTX is scheduled to report its Q4 2025 earnings on January 27, 2026.
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The "whisper number" for EPS is around $1.41 to $1.43, but last quarter they beat expectations by nearly 30 cents. If they pull another surprise out of the hat, we could see the rtx stock price today look cheap in retrospect by February.
However, there is a "bear case" worth mentioning. Pratt & Whitney is still dealing with some engine supply delays for the Airbus A320neo family. Airbus has been vocal about these delays, and if RTX guides lower on engine deliveries for the rest of 2026, the stock could easily give back some of these gains.
Is the Dividend Still Worth It?
RTX has paid a dividend for 55 years straight. Right now, the yield is sitting at about 1.4%.
- Current quarterly payout: $0.68 per share
- Annualized payout: $2.72
- Payout ratio: 53%
That 53% payout ratio is the "sweet spot." It’s high enough to give you a decent return but low enough that they can keep raising it without stressing the balance sheet.
Actionable Insights for Investors
If you are looking at the rtx stock price today and wondering what to do, here are the technical levels that actually matter right now:
- Resistance: $199–$202. This is where the UBS and Citigroup targets converge. Expect some profit-taking here.
- Support: $178.90. This is the 50-day moving average. If the stock drops, this is where the "dip buyers" will likely step in.
- The Earnings Play: Watch the January 27th report for "Organic Sales Growth." Anything above 8% is a major win.
Check your position sizing. At an all-time high, it's rarely a good idea to go "all in." Most pros are looking for a pullback to the $185 range before adding more. Keep an eye on the 10-year Treasury yield, too; if rates spike, high-multiple stocks like RTX often take a breather.