If you’re hunting for the stock symbol for Raytheon, you might find yourself a little confused. Honestly, it’s not as straightforward as it used to be. You look for "RTN" and nothing pops up. You try searching for the company name and you get a bunch of news about a giant called RTX.
Basically, the ticker you’re looking for is RTX.
It’s been that way since 2020, but the story behind why it changed—and why it’s currently hitting record highs in early 2026—is actually pretty wild. If you're looking to put money into this defense titan, you've gotta understand that the "Raytheon" of today is just one (very big) slice of a much larger pie.
Why the Stock Symbol for Raytheon Changed
For decades, if you wanted to own a piece of the Patriot missile maker, you bought RTN. It was a staple of the New York Stock Exchange. But in April 2020, right in the middle of the global chaos, Raytheon pulled off a "merger of equals" with United Technologies (UTC).
UTC was the massive conglomerate that owned Pratt & Whitney (jet engines) and Collins Aerospace. When they joined forces, they didn't just keep one name. They rebranded the whole parent company as Raytheon Technologies and picked the ticker RTX.
Then, in 2023, they got even more aggressive with the branding. They dropped "Technologies" from the parent name entirely. Now, the corporation is simply RTX Corporation.
The Identity Crisis
It’s kinda funny because even though the parent company is RTX, they still have a business unit called "Raytheon." Today, RTX is essentially three powerhouses under one roof:
- Collins Aerospace: These guys make everything from cockpit displays to oxygen systems.
- Pratt & Whitney: They build the engines that keep both commercial airliners and F-35 fighter jets in the sky.
- Raytheon: This is the defense-focused arm—think missiles, sensors, and cyber warfare.
So, when you buy the stock symbol for Raytheon, you’re actually buying into all three. You’re getting a mix of commercial travel recovery and high-stakes military spending.
What’s Happening With RTX Stock Right Now?
As of mid-January 2026, the stock is on a bit of a tear. Just yesterday, January 15, the price closed at $199.83. It’s basically knocking on the door of $200 for the first time ever.
Why the sudden surge? Well, the geopolitical temperature is high, to put it mildly.
Investors are looking at the 2026 defense budget proposals—some hitting as high as $1.5 trillion—and realizing that RTX is positioned to catch a massive chunk of that change. But it hasn't been all smooth sailing. Only a week ago, there was a minor freak-out in the markets when news broke about potential restrictions on defense company buybacks and dividends.
The "DOGE" Factor and 2026 Volatility
There's also been a lot of talk about the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiatives. Some analysts were worried that a crackdown on "wasteful" defense spending would hurt the big contractors.
But here’s the thing: RTX isn’t just a "cost-plus" contractor building old-school tanks. They are deep into high-tech stuff—radars for the FAA, satellite tech for interstellar missions (literally, they just provided a Blue Canyon satellite for one), and next-gen missile defense.
The market seems to be betting that even if the government cuts "waste," they aren't going to cut the tech that keeps the airspace safe. That's why the consensus among most big firms like Jefferies and analysts on the street remains a "Buy" or "Strong Buy" even at these record prices.
Surprising Details Investors Usually Miss
Most people think RTX is just a "war stock." That's a huge oversimplification.
Did you know that before the 2020 merger, United Technologies (the "UT" in RTX's DNA) actually owned Otis Elevators and Carrier (the AC people)? To make the Raytheon merger happen, they had to spin those companies off into their own stocks. If you were a shareholder back then, you suddenly woke up with shares in three different companies.
Another weird bit of trivia: Raytheon actually invented the microwave oven. They were working on radar technology during World War II and realized a magnetron could melt a candy bar in a pocket. From radar to popcorn—it’s a weird legacy.
The Financials at a Glance
If you're a numbers person, the current stats on the stock symbol for Raytheon are pretty interesting:
- Market Cap: Floating around $268 billion.
- Dividend Yield: Currently about 1.36%. Not the highest in the world, but they’ve been consistent.
- P/E Ratio: It’s sitting at roughly 41, which is definitely on the high side historically. You're paying a premium for that "defense moat."
Is It Too Late to Buy RTX?
That’s the million-dollar question, isn't it?
Honestly, the stock has rallied about 65% over the last year. That's insane for a company this size. Some folks, like the team over at Simply Wall St, argue the stock might be a bit overvalued right now—maybe as much as 17% over its "fair value."
But then you look at the order backlogs. We’re talking tens of billions of dollars in "work yet to be done." When the U.S. Navy signs a $264 million contract for AIM-9X missiles, that's guaranteed revenue for years.
The Risks You Should Actually Care About
It's not all rockets and profits. There are real headaches:
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- Engine Issues: Pratt & Whitney had a massive issue with "powder metal" defects in their engines a couple of years back. It cost them billions in inspections and repairs. These technical glitches can come out of nowhere and tank the stock in a single afternoon.
- Regulatory Squeeze: If the government actually follows through on blocking buybacks or capping executive pay for companies that miss deadlines, the "easy money" for shareholders might dry up.
- Supply Chain: Aerospace parts are incredibly hard to make. A shortage of specialized forgings can delay a billion-dollar delivery by months.
Actionable Steps for Potential Investors
If you're looking to jump in now that you know the stock symbol for Raytheon is RTX, don't just market-buy on a Monday morning.
First, check the earnings calendar. RTX is scheduled to release its fourth-quarter results for 2025 on January 27, 2026. Earnings calls are usually where the "real" news happens—executives will talk about the backlog and any new government friction.
Second, consider the "diversification" play. If you like the sector but think $200 a share is too steep for RTX, look at aerospace ETFs like the ITA (iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense). It holds a ton of RTX but spreads the risk across Lockheed and Northrop Grumman too.
Finally, watch the geopolitical news, but don't trade on it. By the time you see a headline about a new conflict on the news, the high-frequency algorithms have already priced it into the stock. Look at the long-term trends: Is global air travel increasing? Are defense budgets staying elevated? Those are the signals that actually matter for RTX.
- Verify the ticker: Double-check your brokerage app for "RTX" (NYSE).
- Set a limit order: Given the stock is near all-time highs, a limit order can protect you from overpaying during a morning spike.
- Review the Q4 Earnings: Wait for the January 27th report to see if the company's 2026 guidance matches the current hype.