HWM
Price
$255.69
Change
+$8.09 (+3.27%)
Updated
Apr 17 closing price
Capitalization
102.46B
18 days until earnings call
Intraday BUY SELL Signals
RKLB
Price
$84.80
Change
+$1.87 (+2.25%)
Updated
Apr 17 closing price
Capitalization
49.02B
Intraday BUY SELL Signals
RTX
Price
$196.42
Change
+$0.57 (+0.29%)
Updated
Apr 17 closing price
Capitalization
264.38B
2 days until earnings call
Intraday BUY SELL Signals
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HWM or RKLB or RTX

Header iconHWM vs RKLB vs RTX Comparison
Open Charts HWM vs RKLB vs RTXBanner chart's image
HWM vs RKLB vs RTX Comparison Chart in %
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Which Stock Would AI Choose? Howmet Aerospace (HWM) vs. Rocket Lab Corporation (RKLB) vs. RTX Corporation (RTX) Stock Comparison

Key Takeaways

  • HWM leads with robust revenue growth of 11% in FY2025, driven by commercial aerospace demand, achieving 39.7% earnings growth and 28% ROE.
  • RKLB shows explosive momentum with 274% one-year returns and $602M FY2025 revenue, fueled by 21 successful launches and a $1.85B backlog.
  • RTX offers stability via a record $268B backlog and 62% one-year gains, balancing commercial and defense segments amid rising global tensions.
  • All three benefit from aerospace recovery and defense spending, but HWM and RKLB exhibit higher relative growth versus RTX's scale.
  • Recent catalysts include HWM's 10% FY2026 guidance, RKLB's record launches, and RTX's contract wins like Patriot systems.
  • AI tools highlight sector strength, with bots targeting aerospace/defense posting up to 102% annualized returns.

Introduction

This comparison examines HWM, RKLB, and RTX—key players in the aerospace and defense sector amid surging demand from commercial air travel recovery and geopolitical tensions. These stocks appeal to growth-oriented traders seeking momentum in high-tech components, launch services, and integrated systems, as well as investors prioritizing relative performance and market positioning. With the sector benefiting from multi-year backlogs and elevated defense budgets, understanding their business models, recent trajectories, and contrasts aids informed decision-making in a dynamic environment.

HWM Overview and Recent Performance

Howmet Aerospace Inc. (HWM) specializes in advanced engineered solutions, including engine components, fastening systems, and engineered structures for aerospace and transportation. In recent market activity, HWM reported record FY2025 revenue of $8.3B, up 11% year-over-year, with Q4 at $2.2B (+15%), propelled by 13% commercial aerospace growth and strong defense demand. Earnings expanded at 39.7% annually, yielding 28.2% ROE and 18.3% net margins, bolstered by aftermarket spares up 33%. Sentiment has strengthened on FY2026 guidance for ~10% revenue growth to $9B+, $700M share repurchases, and a $1.8B acquisition, pushing shares to 24% YTD gains and 109% one-year returns despite forged wheels softness.

RKLB Overview and Recent Performance

Rocket Lab Corporation (RKLB) delivers launch services and space systems, including Electron rockets and spacecraft components for commercial and government clients. Recent weeks highlight operational prowess with FY2025 revenue at $602M (record high), Q4 at $180M (+36% YoY), and 21 successful launches, including seven in Q4. A $1.85B backlog (37% convertible in 12 months) underscores demand, particularly in space systems and defense like $1.3B SDA contracts. Despite volatility, shares surged 274% over the past year and 1% YTD, with analysts raising targets amid Neutron development and innovations like silicon solar arrays, though profitability remains a focus.

RTX Overview and Recent Performance

RTX Corporation (RTX), formerly Raytheon Technologies, provides aerospace systems, engines via Pratt & Whitney, and defense solutions through Collins and Raytheon segments. In recent market activity, FY2025 adjusted sales hit $88.6B (+11% organic), Q4 at $24.2B (+12%), with $7.9B free cash flow and a record $268B backlog ($161B commercial, $107B defense). Catalysts include Navy StormBreaker approval, Patriot contracts, and munitions ramps, driving 13% YTD and 63% one-year gains. Guidance projects 5-6% organic growth and $6.60-$6.80 adjusted EPS in 2026, tempered by engine MRO but supported by capacity investments.

Trending AI Robots

Tickeron’s Trending AI Robots page curates the platform's top-performing AI trading bots from hundreds available, each scanning thousands of tickers for optimal signals based on current market conditions. These bots employ diverse strategies—from trend-following and pattern recognition to volatility plays—delivering stats like up to +227% annualized returns, 70-80% win rates, and profit factors of 2.5-3.0 in sectors including aerospace/defense. For instance, bots targeting XAR and ITA ETFs posted 102% returns with 75% win rates recently. This elite selection highlights bots with proven edge in momentum, sector rotations, and risk-adjusted performance. Traders can explore and subscribe to these for automated insights tailored to volatile environments.

Head-to-Head Comparison

HWM excels in niche, high-margin components (engine products ~60% revenue), contrasting RKLB's launch/space systems focus and RTX's diversified primes (engines, missiles). Growth drivers favor RKLB (36% Q4 revenue) and HWM (11% FY), over RTX's steady 9-11%, with recent momentum highest for RKLB (274% 1Y) amid launches versus HWM (109%) and RTX (63%). Risks include RKLB's losses/execution on Neutron, HWM's cyclical transport, and RTX's engine issues. All share aerospace tailwinds but differ in defense exposure (RTX strongest), valuations (HWM premium ROE), and sentiment shifts from backlogs guiding multi-year visibility.

Tickeron AI Verdict

Tickeron’s AI currently favors HWM for its consistent trend strength, superior earnings growth (39.7%), high ROE, and 10% revenue guidance amid commercial aero momentum, positioning it ahead probabilistically over RKLB's high-volatility backlog execution and RTX's scale-stability trade-off. This reflects observable catalysts like repurchases and acquisitions enhancing relative positioning.

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 disclaimer. Disclaimers and Limitations

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COMPARISON
Comparison
Apr 20, 2026
Stock price -- (HWM: $255.69RKLB: $84.80RTX: $196.42)
Brand notoriety: HWM, RKLB and RTX are all not notable
The three companies represent the Aerospace & Defense industry
Current volume relative to the 65-day Moving Average: HWM: 113%, RKLB: 152%, RTX: 110%
Market capitalization -- HWM: $102.46B, RKLB: $49.02B, RTX: $264.38B
$HWM is valued at $102.46B, while RKLB has a market capitalization of $49.02B, and RTX's market capitalization is $264.38B. The market cap for tickers in this @Aerospace & Defense ranges from $317.76B to $0. The average market capitalization across the @Aerospace & Defense industry is $23.79B.

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).

HWM’s FA Score shows that 4 FA rating(s) are green whileRKLB’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s), and RTX’s FA Score reflects 1 green FA rating(s).

  • HWM’s FA Score: 4 green, 1 red.
  • RKLB’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
  • RTX’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
According to our system of comparison, HWM is a better buy in the long-term than RTX, which in turn is a better option than RKLB.

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.

HWM’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while RKLB’s TA Score has 6 bullish TA indicator(s), and RTX’s TA Score reflects 6 bullish TA indicator(s).

  • HWM’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
  • RKLB’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
  • RTX’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
According to our system of comparison, RTX is a better buy in the short-term than RKLB, which in turn is a better option than HWM.

Price Growth

HWM (@Aerospace & Defense) experienced а +1.20% price change this week, while RKLB (@Aerospace & Defense) price change was +24.61% , and RTX (@Aerospace & Defense) price fluctuated -2.55% for the same time period.

The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Aerospace & Defense industry was +4.81%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +11.73%, and the average quarterly price growth was +29.52%.

Reported Earning Dates

HWM is expected to report earnings on May 07, 2026.

RTX is expected to report earnings on Apr 21, 2026.

Industries' Descriptions

@Aerospace & Defense (+4.81% 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.

SUMMARIES
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FUNDAMENTALS
Fundamentals
RTX($264B) has a higher market cap than HWM($102B) and RKLB($49B). HWM YTD gains are higher at: 24.786 vs. RKLB (21.560) and RTX (7.455). RTX has higher annual earnings (EBITDA): 14.9B vs. HWM (2.27B) and RKLB (-155.47M). RTX has more cash in the bank: 7.44B vs. RKLB (1.02B) and HWM (742M). RKLB has less debt than HWM and RTX: RKLB (254M) vs HWM (3.21B) and RTX (39.5B). RTX has higher revenues than HWM and RKLB: RTX (88.6B) vs HWM (8.25B) and RKLB (602M).
HWMRKLBRTX
Capitalization102B49B264B
EBITDA2.27B-155.47M14.9B
Gain YTD24.78621.5607.455
P/E Ratio68.92N/A39.60
Revenue8.25B602M88.6B
Total Cash742M1.02B7.44B
Total Debt3.21B254M39.5B
FUNDAMENTALS RATINGS
HWM vs RTX: Fundamental Ratings
HWM
RTX
OUTLOOK RATING
1..100
2673
VALUATION
overvalued / fair valued / undervalued
1..100
73
Overvalued
41
Fair valued
PROFIT vs RISK RATING
1..100
36
SMR RATING
1..100
3167
PRICE GROWTH RATING
1..100
1048
P/E GROWTH RATING
1..100
2252
SEASONALITY SCORE
1..100
7550

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.

RTX's Valuation (41) in the null industry is in the same range as HWM (73). This means that RTX’s stock grew similarly to HWM’s over the last 12 months.

HWM's Profit vs Risk Rating (3) in the null industry is in the same range as RTX (6). This means that HWM’s stock grew similarly to RTX’s over the last 12 months.

HWM's SMR Rating (31) in the null industry is somewhat better than the same rating for RTX (67). This means that HWM’s stock grew somewhat faster than RTX’s over the last 12 months.

HWM's Price Growth Rating (10) in the null industry is somewhat better than the same rating for RTX (48). This means that HWM’s stock grew somewhat faster than RTX’s over the last 12 months.

HWM's P/E Growth Rating (22) in the null industry is in the same range as RTX (52). This means that HWM’s stock grew similarly to RTX’s over the last 12 months.

TECHNICAL ANALYSIS
Technical Analysis
HWMRKLBRTX
RSI
ODDS (%)
N/A
Bearish Trend 3 days ago
81%
Bullish Trend 3 days ago
71%
Stochastic
ODDS (%)
Bearish Trend 3 days ago
54%
Bearish Trend 3 days ago
77%
Bullish Trend 3 days ago
67%
Momentum
ODDS (%)
Bullish Trend 3 days ago
76%
Bullish Trend 3 days ago
85%
Bullish Trend 3 days ago
60%
MACD
ODDS (%)
Bullish Trend 3 days ago
76%
Bullish Trend 3 days ago
89%
Bullish Trend 3 days ago
57%
TrendWeek
ODDS (%)
Bullish Trend 3 days ago
72%
Bullish Trend 3 days ago
87%
Bearish Trend 3 days ago
45%
TrendMonth
ODDS (%)
Bullish Trend 3 days ago
70%
Bullish Trend 3 days ago
89%
Bearish Trend 3 days ago
44%
Advances
ODDS (%)
Bullish Trend 6 days ago
70%
Bullish Trend 3 days ago
86%
Bullish Trend 14 days ago
64%
Declines
ODDS (%)
Bearish Trend 4 days ago
51%
Bearish Trend 13 days ago
83%
Bearish Trend 4 days ago
42%
BollingerBands
ODDS (%)
Bearish Trend 3 days ago
53%
Bearish Trend 3 days ago
70%
Bullish Trend 3 days ago
81%
Aroon
ODDS (%)
Bearish Trend 3 days ago
42%
Bullish Trend 3 days ago
81%
Bearish Trend 3 days ago
32%
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HWM
Daily Signal:
Gain/Loss:
RKLB
Daily Signal:
Gain/Loss:
RTX
Daily Signal:
Gain/Loss:
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RKLB and

Correlation & Price change

A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, RKLB has been closely correlated with LUNR. These tickers have moved in lockstep 68% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if RKLB jumps, then LUNR could also see price increases.

1D
1W
1M
1Q
6M
1Y
5Y
Ticker /
NAME
Correlation
To RKLB
1D Price
Change %
RKLB100%
+2.25%
LUNR - RKLB
68%
Closely correlated
+1.10%
RDW - RKLB
60%
Loosely correlated
-7.84%
ACHR - RKLB
54%
Loosely correlated
+0.49%
RCAT - RKLB
52%
Loosely correlated
-7.22%
KRMN - RKLB
49%
Loosely correlated
-4.93%
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