Raytheon Dividend - Play Defense With Your Money

Raytheon Dividend Stock Analysis

The Raytheon dividend stock plays a key role in my investment portfolio. What role is that? In a word, diversification.

Our world is threatened by big conflicts from time to time. When they happen, the stock market usually goes down.

But defense sector stocks, like Raytheon Technologies (NYSE: RTX), can buck the trend. And, go up. Plus, defense stocks often pay high dividends.

So, let’s work through a dividend stock review for Raytheon Technologies. And the Raytheon stock dividend.

Disclosure: At no cost to you, I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Certainly, I will have some thoughts on the Raytheon dividend yield, Raytheon dividend growth, safety, and much more.

Also, Raytheon is a member of my model portfolio of dividend stocks.

I call it the Dividends Deluxe. It is home to nearly 40 dividend growth stocks.

Before you go, be sure to check out all of the stocks in the model portfolio. But now, let’s jump into our Raytheon dividend review and stock analysis.

Raytheon Technologies Stock & Dividend Review: Key Takeaways

There are a number of things to like about Raytheon stock. Specifically:

A dividend yield for making money now from dividends
Projected annual dividend growth for making more money in the future
Uncertainties about defense and commercial aerospace dissipating with time
A high dividend defense stock providing diversification benefits versus other dividend rich stock sectors

Now, for all of the details…

Raytheon Company Background

The company has gone through substantial changes. Let’s get a handle on the past. To understand the present.

Raytheon’s Past

Raytheon was an international company operating in the aerospace and defense sector. They are headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts. And, Raytheon stock is traded under the stock symbol RTN on the New York Stock Exchange.

Raytheon had several blue-chip businesses that worked together on solutions for a wide variety of government and commercial customers. The four businesses were:

Integrated defense systems to protect against attack
Intelligence, information, and services providing cybersecurity products and solutions
Missile systems for both defensive and offensive situations
Space and airborne systems including radars, sensors, and communication products

Raytheon Today

In April 2020, Raytheon and United Technologies completed a merger. The companies now operate under the name: Raytheon Technologies Corporation.

Before the merger, United Technologies separated into 3 companies. 2 of those being Otis and Carrier. They were not part of the merger with Raytheon.

Raytheon Technologies now operates from a platform of 4 main businesses:

Pratt & Whitney aircraft engines & auxiliary power units
Collins Aerospace & defense products
Intelligence, space & airborne systems
Integrated defense & missile systems

The first 2 businesses came from United Technologies. And the last 2 were formed by combining Raytheon’s 4 legacy units that I just described.

Resource: Defining The Future Of Aerospace & Defense

a defense sector stock that pay dividends

What Does The Future Hold For RTX Stock & The Raytheon Dividend?

I can’t predict the future. But I do know this was a big merger.

The merger created a very large company with many integration challenges. Plus, plenty of opportunities.

I owned Raytheon stock (RTN) before the merger. It held a mid-sized position in comparison to my other dividend growth stocks.

What Happened To Raytheon Stock After The Merger?

When the merger closed, as an RTN stockholder, I received 2.3348 shares of stock in the new company (RTX). In exchange for every share of RTN that I owned at the time.

So what am I trying to accomplish here?

My main objectives for this Raytheon stock analysis is to see if RTX stock and the Raytheon dividend are:

On solid footing since the merger
And, look for red flags that would lead me to sell out, now that the merger is complete

On the surface, I think the merger is a positive. I often wanted to buy stock in United Technologies, but never did.

So the merger has given me a new opportunity. That is, I’m now part-owner in some of the legacy United Technology businesses.

So let’s evaluate current dividend metrics and business fundamentals for the new Raytheon. Where appropriate, I will sprinkle in what management is saying about the new company.

As always, I will be looking through the lens of a dividend growth stock investor. And from the perspective of a long-time Raytheon owner. Dating back to before the merger with United Technologies.

Resource: Dividend stock recommendations

A New Raytheon Technologies Dividend Rate Announcement

Understanding dividends from this company is more complex than for the average dividend growth stock. Let me explain.

One of the facts I waited for and wanted to evaluate was the new dividend rate announcement from the company.

At the time of the merger, 1 share of Raytheon paid a $3.77 annual dividend. As I mentioned, each Raytheon dividend stock investor received 2.3348 shares of stock in the new company for every share they owned in the old company.

So, the new company had to set a new dividend rate. For me, the new annual dividend rate had to be at least $1.61 per share.

It is just simple math. Otherwise, Raytheon shareholders would receive fewer dividends from the new entity. Versus the cash received in the form of dividends from the old entity.

Anything less than $1.61 per share annual dividend would be a dividend reduction. Raytheon wouldn’t be the first company to pull off a dividend reduction in this manner. I call it a “stealth dividend cut”.

With that background in mind, let’s research all the facts and figures about the new Raytheon dividend.

Resource: Top-notch investment research

Does Raytheon Technologies Pay A Dividend?

Yes. Raytheon pays a dividend.

On April 27, 2020, Raytheon Technologies Board of Directors declared the first quarterly cash dividend for the newly merged companies.

The initial dividend rate answered the important question I just raised. Specifically, Raytheon’s new dividend was greater than $1.61 per share.

This means that former RTN shareholders that held their stock through the merger received good news. What’s that?

News of a dividend increase. To compound shareholder’s dividend income. And a substantial increase at that. More than 18%!

Raytheon Dividend Per Share

Raytheon pays an annual forward dividend. We know that to be the case.

The forward dividend is the last approved dividend rate per share. Multiplied by the number of times per year a company pays dividends.

Dividing the forward rate by the current stock price gives us the dividend yield…

Raytheon Dividend Yield

Raytheon has a good dividend yield from my perspective. Even though it’s a little lower than I would prefer.

Since regular readers know I target dividend yields between 3%-5%. For screening and selecting dividend stocks for investment purposes.

On the other hand, how I justified owning the stock of Raytheon, at a low dividend yield was for 1 reason.

What’s that? Simple…

Attractive dividend growth.

I will look at Raytheon’s historical dividend growth in a moment. But first, a couple more facts about the RTX dividend before we complete this dividend review portion of the stock deep dive.

How Often Does Raytheon Pay Dividends?

Raytheon pays dividends every 3 months or 4 times per year. Each quarterly dividend payment is one-fourth of the annual dividend rate.

During What Months Does Raytheon Pay Dividends?

Before the merger, Raytheon consistently paid dividends in February, May, August, and November.

After the merger, the company’s dividend payment pattern changed. The company now pays dividends in March, June, September, and December.

Raytheon Ex-Dividend Date

To receive the next Raytheon stock dividend payout, you must complete your purchase before the ex-dividend date. Raytheon’s ex-dividend date falls in the month PRIOR to when it pays dividends.

It typically falls at the end of the second week of the month in which it goes ex-dividend.

Mind Your Dividend Dates

Realize that the ex-dividend date will be slightly different each quarter.

So, it’s best to check Raytheon’s dividend information on its investor relations website. You can get the exact date for each dividend payment there.

Raytheon Dividend History

Raytheon has a long history of quarterly dividend payments. It appears the company started paying a regular quarterly dividend in 1980.

Furthermore, United Technologies paid cash dividends on its stock every year since 1936. So, it’s easy to conclude that each legacy company placed importance on rewarding shareholders with dividends.

In more recent years, Raytheon management has increased the company’s dividend annually on RTN stock and now RTX stock. The annual dividend increase streak started in 2005.

Certainly, Raytheon is not even close to being a Dividend King. Or even a Dividend Aristocrat.

But, I like to target dividend stocks of companies that have at least 10 years of annual dividend growth. And, Raytheon meets that criteria.

Speaking of Raytheon dividend growth, I promised to get to that topic. So, let’s discuss it now.

Raytheon Dividend Growth Rate

In my opinion, Raytheon had strong dividend growth before the merger. It averaged about 8-9% per year. And it has maintained an attractive dividend growth rate after the merger.

So, we are making some good money off dividends from this stock. At least according to the dividend growth rate from recent years.

Time will tell, but for me, the merger created immediate shareholder value. It did so in the form of increasing my dividend payments. From a strong dividend growth rate.

In contrast, I see a much lower dividend growth rate moving forward. For my planning purposes, I’m going to forecast 6-8%.

Raytheon Dividend Policy

Every company has a dividend policy. Some choose to communicate that policy to the public. Other companies do not.

A formal dividend policy communication is helpful. It allows me to set my future expectations for a company’s dividend. So, I appreciate it when management communicates this information.

On the other hand, I am not aware of formal communication from Raytheon’s management about its dividend policy. I do not consider this a “red flag”. It’s just an indication of how Raytheon chooses to go about its business.

Returning Capital To Raytheon Stockholders

In contrast, Raytheon management has elected to more broadly communicate its intentions for returning capital to shareholders. Return of capital means providing shareholders with cash from regular dividend payments and repurchases of RTX stock in the open market.

Management stated at the time, that the newly combined company would return $18-$20 billion to shareholders in the first 3 years after the merger.

Source: Raytheon/United Technologies Merger Announcement

I noticed later they pushed this target from 3 years to 4. Not surprising given some of the negative events impacting global commercial aviation. Which is a big part of Raytheon’s business.

In the 3 years prior to the merger, Raytheon returned $5.8 billion to shareholders in the form of dividends and share buybacks.

So, their new capital allocation policy sounded about right to me. The company is nearly 3 times its former size. So, nearly tripling its return of capital to shareholders sounds good.

Moving on now. A stock analysis wouldn’t be complete without looking at some of the business fundamentals. So, let’s do that next.

Resource: Stock advice

Raytheon Revenue Trend

2020 gave us a new revenue picture for Raytheon. Since two-thirds of the year reflected the additional revenues from the United Technologies merger.

The new entity, Raytheon Technologies, started out with nearly $60 billion in annual sales.

While revenue breaks out between these major business units:

Collins Aerospace
Pratt & Whitney
Defense & Missiles
Intelligence, Space, and Airborne

Raytheon Dividend Payout Ratio

Let’s take a look at earnings and cash flow. To see how the Raytheon dividend payout ratio stacks up from these financial metrics.

As a general rule, a lower dividend payout ratio percentage is better for the investor.

Since it shows the company has ample room to raise the dividend in the coming years. Or, withstand an earnings drop without having to reduce the dividend.

Raytheon Dividend Payout Vs. Accounting Earnings

Pre-merger, Raytheon maintained its dividend payout ratio between 30% and 40% of accounting earnings. And closing out 2019, the dividend as a percent of earnings was at the low end of that range.

The new entity has tended to run at a higher dividend payout ratio. But not too high to put the dividend at risk.

Raytheon Dividend Payout Vs. Free Cash Flow

Our dividends are paid in cash from cash flow. What can this metric tell us?

investing in Raytheon stock for cash dividends

In the years leading up to the merger, Raytheon’s dividend payout ratio based on cash flow was very similar to the percentage of earnings paid out in dividends. About 35%.

Post merger, the rate is higher. But again, not high enough to cause concern.

To sum up, the dividend payout ratios look okay for an industrial company, in my opinion. It balances dividend rewards to shareholders versus dividend safety.

Raytheon Balance Sheet & Credit Rating

Raytheon has a strong balance sheet. Debt to equity checks in at a conservative level.

S&P and Moody’s typically rate the company investment-grade. A good sign of financial strength.

Raytheon investment analysis: credit ratings

Increases in post-merger debt probably kept the ratings from being higher up the investment-grade scale.

Raytheon Dividend Safety

I make a judgment about dividend safety for all of my dividend stocks no matter what sector of the stock market they operate in. I look at many of the factors discussed in this article. Specifically:

Business fundamentals
Dividend yield
The company’s history of continuous dividend payments
Dividend growth
Debt levels and credit ratings
Dividend payout ratios

Based on these metrics and measures, I judge Raytheon’s dividend to be safe. And when I speak of dividend safety. I mean a dividend that appears to be safe from a reduction for the foreseeable future.

Next, let’s look at stock valuation. Then, wrap this article up.

Raytheon Stock Valuation

Initially, the market valuation of the combined companies dropped as compared to when Raytheon operated by itself.

Uncertainties about the merger. And the negative effects on Raytheon’s commercial aerospace business as a result of the health crisis took their toll.

With that said, let’s look at the RTX stock value using a dividend discount model approach.

Raytheon Dividend Discount Model

I ran a single-stage dividend discount model on Raytheon stock to assess its fair value.

Here are the assumptions the model requires:

The current annual dividend payment
Projected annual dividend growth
My desired annual return on investment

Based on these assumptions, the single-stage dividend discount model suggests Raytheon stock is trading near its fair value. As of the time of this update

But understand there are limitations of dividend valuation models.

Furthermore, valuation metrics can change quickly. Either based on swings in the stock price. Or, shifts in business fundamentals.

So, do your research before you invest money.

For an up to date call on a stock’s valuation. I prefer the Simply Investing Report and Analysis Platform.

Simply Investing provides a robust interactive tool for assessing dividend stocks. And building a dividend portfolio.

Raytheon Dividend Stock Analysis Conclusions & Wrap Up

Let’s wrap up this Raytheon stock analysis and dividend review with a few concluding thoughts.

My Shares: Is Raytheon Stock A Buy, Sell, Or Hold?

I first invested in Raytheon and built my position during 2011-2012. Back then, the defense industry struggled with uncertainties surrounding U.S. government spending. That uncertainty depressed Raytheon’s stock price at the time.

Mainly because of the large stock price appreciation since my purchases, Raytheon stock has a mid-size position in my portfolio.

Because of the tax implications, I’m not interested in selling at this time. Plus, given the potential business opportunities from the merger, I see no reason to.

For my dividend portfolio, I am only going to add to my shares if and when the dividend yield reaches 3%.

My Favorite Dividend Investing Resources

Disclosure & Disclaimer: I am not a licensed investment adviser, financial adviser, or tax professional. And I am not providing you with individual investment advice, financial guidance, or tax counsel. Furthermore, this website’s only purpose is information & entertainment. And we are not liable for any losses suffered by any party because of information published on this blog.

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