Belden (BDC) vs ESCO Technologies (ESE)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
ESCO Technologies (ESE) has outperformed Belden (BDC) over the past year, gaining 22.8% versus a loss of 5.2%. Over five years, ESE leads with a +204.0% price change compared with +80.6% for BDC. ESCO Technologies is the larger company by market cap ($6.66 billion vs $4.28 billion), about 1.6 times the size.
On valuation, Belden trades at a lower forward P/E (10.9x vs 27.8x for ESCO Technologies). Belden offers the higher dividend yield (0.18% vs 0.12%). ESCO Technologies converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 27.3% versus 8.7%.
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 | BDC | ESE |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $109.41 | $256.90 |
| Market cap | $4.28B | $6.66B |
| 1-day change | -3.36% | -4.22% |
| YTD return | -6.13% | +31.48% |
| 1-year return | -5.20% | +22.81% |
| 5-year return | +80.57% | +203.99% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 18.42 | 49.79 |
| Forward P/E | 10.90 | 27.85 |
| EPS (TTM) | $5.94 | $5.16 |
| Dividend yield | 0.18% | 0.12% |
| Annual dividend | $0.20 | $0.32 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $2.72B | $1.10B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +10.33% | +19.18% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $237.52M | $299.22M |
| Gross margin | 37.98% | 42.09% |
| Operating margin | 11.63% | 15.55% |
| Net margin | 8.75% | 27.32% |
| 52-week high | $159.99 | $362.15 |
| 52-week low | $98.00 | $193.68 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -31.61% | -29.06% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +40.02% | +52.10% |
| Average volume | 453.39K | 215.88K |
| Shares outstanding | 39.08M | 25.91M |
| Employees | 8,000 | 3,359 |
| Sector | Industrials | Telecommunications |
| Industry | Telecommunications Equipment | Telecommunications Equipment |
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
- ESE has outperformed BDC by 28.0 percentage points over the past year.
- ESCO Technologies trades at a higher earnings multiple (49.8x vs 18.4x trailing P/E).
- ESCO Technologies is more profitable, keeping 27.3 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 8.7 cents for Belden.
- ESCO Technologies grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+19.18% vs +10.33%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Belden in Industrials and ESCO Technologies in Telecommunications.
About Belden
BDC stock →Belden Inc. provides connection solutions to bring data infrastructure into alignment to unlock new possibilities for its customers.
Industrials · Telecommunications Equipment · 8,000 employees
About ESCO Technologies
ESE stock →ESCO Technologies Inc. provides engineered components and systems for aviation, navy, defense, and industrial customers.
Telecommunications · Telecommunications Equipment · 3,359 employees
BDC vs ESE FAQ
Which is bigger, Belden or ESCO Technologies?
ESCO Technologies (ESE) is larger, with a market capitalization of $6.66B compared with $4.28B for Belden (BDC).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, BDC or ESE?
ESE returned +22.81% over the past 12 months, compared with -5.20% for BDC (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, BDC or ESE?
BDC has the lower trailing P/E at 18.4, versus 49.8 for ESE. 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, Belden or ESCO Technologies?
Belden has the higher yield at 0.18%, compared with 0.12% for ESCO Technologies.
Are Belden and ESCO Technologies in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Telecommunications Equipment industry within the Industrials sector.