AECOM (ACM) vs Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (KTOS)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
AECOM (ACM) has outperformed Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (KTOS) over the past year, losing 55.0% versus a loss of 59.6%. Over five years, KTOS leads with a +86.6% price change compared with -8.2% for ACM. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions is the larger company by market cap ($7.87 billion vs $7.65 billion), about 1.0 times the size.
On valuation, AECOM trades at a lower forward P/E (9.3x vs 37.9x for Kratos Defense & Security Solutions). AECOM pays a dividend yielding 2.00%, while Kratos Defense & Security Solutions does not currently pay one. AECOM converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 3.5% versus 1.6%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | ACM | KTOS |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $59.46 | $41.93 |
| Market cap | $7.65B | $7.87B |
| 1-day change | +2.02% | -0.02% |
| YTD return | -38.86% | -44.75% |
| 1-year return | -54.97% | -59.55% |
| 5-year return | -8.22% | +86.57% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 20.94 | 246.65 |
| Forward P/E | 9.33 | 37.89 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.84 | $0.17 |
| Dividend yield | 2.00% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $1.19 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $16.14B | $1.35B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +0.21% | +18.53% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $561.77M | $22.00M |
| Gross margin | 7.54% | 22.86% |
| Operating margin | 6.36% | 1.90% |
| Net margin | 3.48% | 1.63% |
| 52-week high | $135.52 | $134.00 |
| 52-week low | $56.39 | $40.93 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -56.12% | -68.71% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +44.77% | +140.23% |
| Average volume | 1.93M | 3.89M |
| Shares outstanding | 128.70M | 187.72M |
| Employees | 51,000 | 4,300 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Industrials |
| Industry | Military/Government/Technical | Military/Government/Technical |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Kratos Defense & Security Solutions trades at a higher earnings multiple (246.6x vs 20.9x trailing P/E).
- AECOM offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.00% vs 0.00%).
- Kratos Defense & Security Solutions grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+18.53% vs +0.21%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: AECOM in Consumer Discretionary and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions in Industrials.
About AECOM
ACM stock →AECOM, together with its subsidiaries, provides professional infrastructure consulting services for governments, businesses, and organizations internationally. The company operates in three segments: Americas, International, and AECOM Capital.
Consumer Discretionary · Military/Government/Technical · 51,000 employees
About Kratos Defense & Security Solutions
KTOS stock →Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., a technology company, provides technology, hardware, products, system, and software for the defense, national security, and commercial markets in the United States, other North America, the Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Europe, and Internationally. The company operates through Kratos Government Solutions and Unmanned Systems segments.
Industrials · Military/Government/Technical · 4,300 employees
ACM vs KTOS FAQ
Which is bigger, AECOM or Kratos Defense & Security Solutions?
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (KTOS) is larger, with a market capitalization of $7.87B compared with $7.65B for AECOM (ACM).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ACM or KTOS?
ACM returned -54.97% over the past 12 months, compared with -59.55% for KTOS (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ACM or KTOS?
ACM has the lower trailing P/E at 20.9, versus 246.6 for KTOS. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, AECOM or Kratos Defense & Security Solutions?
AECOM pays a dividend yielding 2.00%, while Kratos Defense & Security Solutions does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are AECOM and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Military/Government/Technical industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.