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AVAV or LHX or RTX
Which Stock Would AI Choose? AeroVironment (AVAV) vs. L3Harris Technologies (LHX) vs. RTX Corporation (RTX) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- AVAV delivered strong YTD gains of 26.84% but faced recent volatility from contract rebids and earnings misses, contrasting with steadier large-cap peers.
- LHX leads 1-year performance at 66.43%, bolstered by C$1.5 billion Canadian contracts and dividend hikes amid robust defense demand.
- RTX benefits from massive contracts like $6.6 billion F135 engines and $2.01 billion Air Force modifications, supporting a $252 billion market cap and diversified exposure.
- All three stocks thrive in aerospace and defense amid geopolitical tensions, but LHX and RTX show superior stability versus AVAV's niche volatility.
- Recent momentum favors LHX with new highs and analyst upgrades, while sector tailwinds drive relative outperformance over broader markets.
- Valuation sensitivity highest for growth-oriented AVAV, with mega-caps LHX and RTX offering lower risk profiles.
Introduction
This stock comparison examines AVAV, LHX, and RTX, key players in the aerospace and defense sector amid escalating geopolitical risks and sustained U.S. military budgets. These companies specialize in unmanned systems, missile defense, communications, and aircraft engines, drawing interest from traders seeking exposure to rising defense spending. Investors tracking relative performance, sector momentum, and market positioning will find value in analyzing their recent behaviors, backlogs, and sensitivities to global events. With the sector outperforming broader indices in recent weeks, this review highlights contrasts in scale, stability, and growth drivers for informed stock comparison decisions.
AVAV Overview and Recent Performance
AeroVironment, Inc. (AVAV) is a defense technology leader focused on unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), loitering munitions like Switchblade, counter-UAS solutions, and space/cyber capabilities following its BlueHalo acquisition. In recent market activity, shares experienced high volatility, with YTD returns at 26.84% and 1-year gains of 46.34%, but a sharp ~30% pullback over the past month amid concerns over the U.S. Space Force's SCAR (Space Capabilities for Agile Response) program rebid and Q3 fiscal 2026 earnings miss—revenue of $408 million beat prior year but fell short of expectations due to timing issues and a $151 million goodwill impairment. Sentiment reflects robust demand for UAS in conflicts but pressures from contract uncertainties and integration risks, with funded backlog at $1.1 billion supporting future growth despite elevated valuations.
LHX Overview and Recent Performance
L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (LHX) delivers mission-critical solutions across space, communications, and missile systems for defense and commercial clients. Recent performance shines with YTD gains of 16.20% and 1-year returns of 66.43%, hitting new highs on analyst upgrades and contracts like C$1.5 billion from Canada for fleet support and a nearly $400 million THAAD interceptor deal. Q4 2025 revenue reached $5.65 billion amid government delays, yet EPS beat estimates at $2.86, prompting a dividend hike to $1.25 quarterly. Backlog strength and portfolio reshaping, including VAMPIRE ramp-up and space divestitures, have bolstered sentiment, with organic growth and margin expansion driving outperformance versus peers in recent weeks.
RTX Overview and Recent Performance
RTX Corporation (RTX), through Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon, provides engines, avionics, and missile defense for global customers. Shares show YTD returns of 2.38% and 1-year gains of 44.48%, supported by major wins like $6.6 billion F135 engine production for F-35, $3.8 billion contract modifications, and $2.01 billion Air Force satellite deal, alongside a $115 million missile facility expansion boosting capacity 50%. Q4 2025 revenue hit $24.24 billion, exceeding forecasts, with a record $268 billion backlog fueled by replenishment demand for Patriot and NASAMS. Geopolitical tensions enhance momentum, though commercial engine supply chains temper near-term gains.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
AVAV, LHX, and RTX share aerospace/defense exposure but diverge in business models: AVAV's niche UAS/loitering munitions yield high growth (143% Q3 revenue surge) yet expose it to program risks like SCAR rebids, unlike LHX and RTX's diversified primes in missiles, comms, and engines. Growth drivers include AVAV's $1.1 billion backlog versus LHX's international wins (e.g., Canada C$1.5B) and RTX's mega-contracts ($268B backlog). Recent momentum favors LHX (66% 1Y) over RTX (44%) and AVAV (volatile -30% monthly), with risk factors centering contract recompetes for AVAV, supply chains for RTX, and execution for LHX. Sector tailwinds from conflicts boost all, but mega-caps exhibit lower beta (LHX 0.61, RTX ~0.7 vs. AVAV 1.26). Valuation sensitivity peaks for AVAV's forward multiples amid losses, while LHX/RTX trade at premiums justified by stability and free cash flow.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently favors LHX based on trend consistency, backlog visibility from recent billion-dollar contracts, and superior relative positioning with 66% 1-year gains amid low volatility. Its diversified missile and space exposure offers probabilistic edge over AVAV's contract risks and RTX's engine headwinds, though all benefit from defense catalysts.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full Disclaimers and Limitations.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
AVAV’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green whileLHX’s FA Score has 3 green FA rating(s), and RTX’s FA Score reflects 1 green FA rating(s).
- AVAV’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- LHX’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 red.
- RTX’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
AVAV’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while LHX’s TA Score has 2 bullish TA indicator(s), and RTX’s TA Score reflects 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- AVAV’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 5 bearish.
- LHX’s TA Score: 2 bullish, 7 bearish.
- RTX’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 6 bearish.
Price Growth
AVAV (@Aerospace & Defense) experienced а +1.46% price change this week, while LHX (@Aerospace & Defense) price change was -2.62% , and RTX (@Aerospace & Defense) price fluctuated -2.79% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Aerospace & Defense industry was +1.71%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +10.37%, and the average quarterly price growth was +29.41%.
Reported Earning Dates
AVAV is expected to report earnings on Jun 30, 2026.
LHX is expected to report earnings on Apr 30, 2026.
RTX is expected to report earnings on Apr 21, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Aerospace & Defense (+1.71% weekly)Aerospace & Defense is one of largest industries in the U.S., mainly comprising the following areas: commercial airliners, military aircraft, missiles, space, and general aviation. Focused heavily on research & development, it is also one of the fastest growing industries. Military aircraft has the largest market share in the industry’s sales, followed by space systems, civil aircraft, and missiles. Aerospace exports, directly and indirectly, support more jobs than the export of any other commodity, according to a study by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin Corporation and General Electric Company are some of the most prominent players in this space.
| AVAV | LHX | RTX | |
| Capitalization | 9.98B | 65.1B | 264B |
| EBITDA | 104M | 3.75B | 14.9B |
| Gain YTD | -18.463 | 19.148 | 7.110 |
| P/E Ratio | 149.03 | 40.86 | 39.47 |
| Revenue | 1.61B | 21.9B | 88.6B |
| Total Cash | 587M | 1.07B | 7.44B |
| Total Debt | 826M | 11.1B | 39.5B |
AVAV | LHX | RTX | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 16 | 62 | 61 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 83 Overvalued | 20 Undervalued | 34 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 76 | 28 | 6 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 92 | 75 | 67 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 65 | 47 | 48 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 17 | 26 | 52 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
LHX's Valuation (20) in the null industry is in the same range as RTX (34) in the null industry, and is somewhat better than the same rating for AVAV (83) in the Aerospace And Defense industry. This means that LHX's stock grew similarly to RTX’s and somewhat faster than AVAV’s over the last 12 months.
RTX's Profit vs Risk Rating (6) in the null industry is in the same range as LHX (28) in the null industry, and is significantly better than the same rating for AVAV (76) in the Aerospace And Defense industry. This means that RTX's stock grew similarly to LHX’s and significantly faster than AVAV’s over the last 12 months.
RTX's SMR Rating (67) in the null industry is in the same range as LHX (75) in the null industry, and is in the same range as AVAV (92) in the Aerospace And Defense industry. This means that RTX's stock grew similarly to LHX’s and similarly to AVAV’s over the last 12 months.
LHX's Price Growth Rating (47) in the null industry is in the same range as RTX (48) in the null industry, and is in the same range as AVAV (65) in the Aerospace And Defense industry. This means that LHX's stock grew similarly to RTX’s and similarly to AVAV’s over the last 12 months.
AVAV's P/E Growth Rating (17) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as LHX (26) in the null industry, and is somewhat better than the same rating for RTX (52) in the null industry. This means that AVAV's stock grew similarly to LHX’s and somewhat faster than RTX’s over the last 12 months.
| AVAV | LHX | RTX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 85% | N/A | 1 day ago 71% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 75% | 1 day ago 52% | 1 day ago 65% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 80% | 1 day ago 55% | 1 day ago 45% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 70% | 1 day ago 51% | 1 day ago 52% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 76% | 1 day ago 52% | 1 day ago 45% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 66% | 1 day ago 57% | 1 day ago 44% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 6 days ago 79% | 16 days ago 54% | 16 days ago 64% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 23 days ago 72% | 1 day ago 51% | 6 days ago 42% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 71% | 1 day ago 71% | 1 day ago 74% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 59% | 1 day ago 54% | 1 day ago 32% |
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AVAV and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, AVAV has been loosely correlated with KTOS. These tickers have moved in lockstep 59% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if AVAV jumps, then KTOS could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To AVAV | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVAV | 100% | +3.04% | ||
| KTOS - AVAV | 59% Loosely correlated | -1.63% | ||
| KRMN - AVAV | 45% Loosely correlated | -1.06% | ||
| MRCY - AVAV | 45% Loosely correlated | +0.08% | ||
| DRS - AVAV | 44% Loosely correlated | -0.74% | ||
| GD - AVAV | 42% Loosely correlated | -1.23% | ||
More | ||||
LHX and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, LHX has been loosely correlated with GD. These tickers have moved in lockstep 61% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if LHX jumps, then GD could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To LHX | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LHX | 100% | -0.51% | ||
| GD - LHX | 61% Loosely correlated | -1.23% | ||
| HII - LHX | 59% Loosely correlated | -0.66% | ||
| NOC - LHX | 52% Loosely correlated | -1.24% | ||
| KTOS - LHX | 50% Loosely correlated | -1.63% | ||
| BWXT - LHX | 49% Loosely correlated | -3.20% | ||
More | ||||
RTX and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, RTX has been loosely correlated with NOC. These tickers have moved in lockstep 58% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if RTX jumps, then NOC could also see price increases.