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RTX Corp.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 21 April 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 2 raised, 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Sales up 9 percent, organic up 10: Sales were $22.1 billion, up 9 percent versus the prior year and 10 percent organically. Source
  • Adjusted EPS up 21 percent: Adjusted EPS was $1.78 against $1.47 a year earlier. GAAP diluted EPS was $1.51. Source
  • Pratt & Whitney sales up 11 percent: Pratt & Whitney sales were $8,173 million, up 11 percent. Commercial aftermarket rose 19 percent and military 7 percent, while commercial OE fell 1 percent. Source
  • Backlog reached $271 billion: Company backlog was $271 billion, of which $162 billion was commercial and $109 billion defense. Source
  • Operating cash flow covered capex: Operating cash flow was $1.9 billion, capital expenditures were $0.5 billion, and free cash flow was $1.3 billion. Source
  • Investing to increase output: Management said it is making significant investments to increase output and accelerate the fielding of new capabilities. Source

“Given our first quarter performance and the strength we’re seeing in our defense business, we are increasing adjusted sales and EPS* in our full year outlook.”

RTX Chairman and CEO Chris Calio

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Adjusted sales Sourcefull year 2026$92.5 - $93.5 billionRaised from $92.0 - $93.0 billion
Adjusted EPS Sourcefull year 2026$6.70 - $6.90Raised from $6.60 - $6.80
Free cash flow Sourcefull year 2026$8.25 - $8.75 billionKept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year 2026 adjusted sales and adjusted EPS guidance was raised, citing the first quarter and defense strength. Source
  • Guidance kept: Free cash flow guidance was confirmed at the same range as in January. Source
  • Guidance kept: Organic sales growth guidance stayed at 5 to 6 percent. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Sales up 9 percent, organic up 10: Sales were $22.1 billion, up 9 percent versus the prior year and 10 percent organically. Source
  • Adjusted EPS up 21 percent: Adjusted EPS was $1.78 against $1.47 a year earlier. GAAP diluted EPS was $1.51. Source
  • Adjusted net income up 22 percent: Adjusted net income was $2.4 billion, up 22 percent, on adjusted segment operating profit growth in all three segments and lower interest and tax expense. Source

Segment results

  • Collins sales up 5 percent: Collins sales were $7,602 million, up 5 percent. Excluding divestitures, commercial OE rose 15 percent, commercial aftermarket 7 percent and defense 9 percent. Source
  • Collins adjusted margin edged up: Collins adjusted operating profit was $1,298 million, up 6 percent, with adjusted ROS of 17.1 percent against 17.0 percent. Source
  • Pratt & Whitney sales up 11 percent: Pratt & Whitney sales were $8,173 million, up 11 percent. Commercial aftermarket rose 19 percent and military 7 percent, while commercial OE fell 1 percent. Source
  • Pratt & Whitney margin up 70 bps: Pratt & Whitney adjusted operating profit was $711 million, up 21 percent, with adjusted ROS of 8.7 percent against 8.0 percent. Source
  • Raytheon sales up 10 percent: Raytheon sales were $6,945 million, up 10 percent, on higher volume in land and air defense systems including Patriot and GEM-T, and in naval munitions programs. Source
  • Raytheon margin up 150 bps: Raytheon adjusted operating profit was $845 million, up 25 percent, with adjusted ROS of 12.2 percent against 10.7 percent. Source

“Our differentiated products across RTX are well positioned to support our customers’ needs and we’re making significant investments to increase output and accelerate the fielding of new capabilities.”

RTX Chairman and CEO Chris Calio

Products and customers

  • Collins aftermarket growth from provisioning: Collins commercial aftermarket growth came from provisioning and parts and repairs, partly offset by lower modifications and upgrades volume. Source
  • Narrowbody and widebody OE volume: Collins commercial OE sales rose on higher volume on narrowbody and widebody platforms. Source
  • F135 production lifted military sales: Pratt & Whitney military sales rose on higher F135 production volume, while commercial OE fell on lower engine deliveries. Source

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Collins volume drop-through and lower R&D: Collins adjusted profit growth came from drop-through on higher commercial and defense volume and lower R&D expense. Source
  • Pratt & Whitney aftermarket drop-through: Pratt & Whitney adjusted profit growth came from drop-through on higher commercial aftermarket and military volume. Source
  • Prior-year Collins restructuring charges: Reported Collins operating profit in the prior-year quarter included higher restructuring charges tied to cost transformation. Source

Demand and the order book

  • Backlog reached $271 billion: Company backlog was $271 billion, of which $162 billion was commercial and $109 billion defense. Source
  • Backlog up from year-end: The January release reported backlog of $268 billion, with $161 billion commercial and $107 billion defense.
  • Defense strength cited for guidance: Management cited the strength it sees in defense as one reason for raising adjusted sales and EPS guidance. Source

Capital, cash and returns to shareholders

  • Operating cash flow covered capex: Operating cash flow was $1.9 billion, capital expenditures were $0.5 billion, and free cash flow was $1.3 billion. Source
  • Debt repaid and dividends paid: Long-term debt repayment was $500 million and dividends paid were $915 million, against $9 million and $840 million a year earlier. Source
  • No buybacks in the quarter: No common stock was repurchased in the quarter, against $50 million a year earlier. Other financing outflows were $425 million. Source

Strategy and investment

  • Execution and backlog delivery cited: Management attributed growth across all three segments to continued focus on execution and delivering the backlog. Source
  • Investing to increase output: Management said it is making significant investments to increase output and accelerate the fielding of new capabilities. Source
  • Production capacity remains a focus: The January release said the company remained focused on investing in new capabilities, expanding production capacity and executing on backlog.

Accounting and non-GAAP measures

  • Acquisition accounting gap to adjusted EPS: GAAP diluted EPS was $1.51, and $0.27 of acquisition accounting adjustments accounts for the gap to adjusted EPS of $1.78. Source
  • Net income includes acquisition charges: Net income attributable to common shareowners was $2.1 billion, including $0.4 billion of acquisition accounting adjustments. Source
  • Adjusted operating profit definition: Adjusted operating profit excludes restructuring costs and acquisition accounting adjustments, as the company defines the measure. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Backlog Source$271 billion: $162 billion commercial, $109 billion defense
Aftermarket revenue SourcePratt & Whitney commercial aftermarket sales up 19 percent
Deliveries SourcePratt & Whitney commercial OE sales down 1 percent on lower engine deliveries

Risks management discussed

  • External: Higher tariffs across the business weighed on Collins adjusted operating profit growth. Source
  • Operational: Higher operational costs, including tariffs, and higher SG&A expense partly offset Pratt & Whitney volume gains. Source
  • Demand: Lower engine deliveries reduced Pratt & Whitney commercial OE sales. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Management confirmed the full-year 2026 free cash flow guidance range. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.