MetaCap

Astronics (ATRO) vs Willdan Group (WLDN)

Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.

Summary

Astronics (ATRO) has outperformed Willdan Group (WLDN) over the past year, gaining 70.2% versus a loss of 21.6%. Over five years, ATRO leads with a +471.5% price change compared with +122.2% for WLDN. Astronics is the larger company by market cap ($2.77 billion vs $1.14 billion), about 2.4 times the size.

On valuation, Willdan Group trades at a lower forward P/E (13.8x vs 21.2x for Astronics).

Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology

Relative performance

ATRO+70.23%WLDN-21.58%
+156%+59%-39%
Oct 8, 20251 yearOct 8, 2026
ATRO+480.98%WLDN+125.17%
+783%+339%-105%
Oct 4, 20215 yearsOct 5, 2026

Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.

Head-to-head

ATRO versus WLDN key metrics
MetricATROWLDN
Share price$64.45$74.71
Market cap$2.77B$1.14B
1-day change-0.28%+1.76%
YTD return+48.89%-27.93%
1-year return+70.23%-21.58%
5-year return+471.52%+122.22%
P/E ratio (TTM)35.2217.54
Forward P/E21.2213.77
EPS (TTM)$1.83$4.26
Dividend yield0.00%0.00%
Annual dividend$0.00$0.00
Revenue (latest FY)$862.13M—
Revenue growth (YoY)+8.39%—
Net income (latest FY)$29.36M—
Gross margin29.94%—
Operating margin8.86%—
Net margin3.41%—
52-week high$94.46$137.00
52-week low$33.12$64.67
Distance from 52-week high-31.77%-45.47%
Analyst consensusnonestrong_buy
Avg. price target upside+55.93%+84.04%
Average volume601.32K233.30K
Shares outstanding36.11M15.23M
Employees2,7001,814
SectorIndustrialsConsumer Discretionary
IndustryMilitary/Government/TechnicalMilitary/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

  • Astronics is about 2.4 times larger than Willdan Group by market value ($2.77B vs $1.14B).
  • ATRO has outperformed WLDN by 91.8 percentage points over the past year.
  • Astronics trades at a higher earnings multiple (35.2x vs 17.5x trailing P/E).
  • The two companies sit in different sectors: Astronics in Industrials and Willdan Group in Consumer Discretionary.

About Astronics

ATRO stock →

Astronics Corporation, through its subsidiaries, designs and manufactures products for the aerospace, defense, and electronics industries in the United States, rest of North America, Asia, Europe, South America, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Aerospace and Test Systems.

Industrials · Military/Government/Technical · 2,700 employees

About Willdan Group

WLDN stock →

Willdan Group, Inc., a technical services company, focuses on the provision of energy and infrastructure solutions in the United States and Canada. The company operates in two segments: Energy, and Engineering and Consulting.

Consumer Discretionary · Military/Government/Technical · 1,814 employees

ATRO vs WLDN FAQ

Which is bigger, Astronics or Willdan Group?

Astronics (ATRO) is larger, with a market capitalization of $2.77B compared with $1.14B for Willdan Group (WLDN).

Which stock has performed better over the past year, ATRO or WLDN?

ATRO returned +70.23% over the past 12 months, compared with -21.58% for WLDN (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.

Which has the lower P/E ratio, ATRO or WLDN?

WLDN has the lower trailing P/E at 17.5, versus 35.2 for ATRO. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.

Are Astronics and Willdan Group in the same industry?

Yes. Both are classified in the Military/Government/Technical industry within the Industrials sector.

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