Cadre (CDRE) vs VSE (VSEC)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
VSE (VSEC) has outperformed Cadre (CDRE) over the past year, gaining 2.9% versus a loss of 33.6%. VSE is the larger company by market cap ($4.72 billion vs $1.06 billion), about 4.4 times the size. On valuation, Cadre trades at a lower forward P/E (15.1x vs 20.3x for VSE).
Cadre offers the higher dividend yield (1.57% vs 0.24%).
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 | CDRE | VSEC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $24.78 | $168.01 |
| Market cap | $1.06B | $4.72B |
| 1-day change | -0.76% | +0.40% |
| YTD return | -38.86% | -3.14% |
| 1-year return | -33.64% | +2.90% |
| 5-year return | — | +248.48% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 30.59 | 53.68 |
| Forward P/E | 15.10 | 20.30 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.81 | $3.13 |
| Dividend yield | 1.57% | 0.24% |
| Annual dividend | $0.39 | $0.40 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | — | $1.11B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | — | +41.46% |
| Net income (latest FY) | — | $11.70M |
| Operating margin | — | 8.06% |
| Net margin | — | 1.05% |
| 52-week high | $48.76 | $247.85 |
| 52-week low | $24.42 | $154.67 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -49.18% | -32.22% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +91.69% | +60.71% |
| Average volume | 409.44K | 397.28K |
| Shares outstanding | 42.82M | 28.06M |
| Employees | 2,533 | 1,600 |
| Sector | Health Care | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Industrial Specialties | 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
- VSE is about 4.4 times larger than Cadre by market value ($4.72B vs $1.06B).
- VSEC has outperformed CDRE by 36.5 percentage points over the past year.
- VSE trades at a higher earnings multiple (53.7x vs 30.6x trailing P/E).
- Cadre offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.57% vs 0.24%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Cadre in Health Care and VSE in Consumer Discretionary.
About Cadre
CDRE stock →Cadre Holdings, Inc. manufactures and distributes safety equipment and other related products that provides protection to users in hazardous or life-threatening situations in the United States and internationally.
Health Care · Industrial Specialties · 2,533 employees
About VSE
VSEC stock →VSE Corporation engages in providing aviation aftermarket parts distribution and maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for air transportation assets for commercial and government markets. It offers its services to global client base of commercial airlines, regional airlines, air cargo transporters, MRO integrators and providers, aviation manufacturers, corporate and private aircraft owners, and fixed-base operators.
Consumer Discretionary · Military/Government/Technical · 1,600 employees
CDRE vs VSEC FAQ
Which is bigger, Cadre or VSE?
VSE (VSEC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $4.72B compared with $1.06B for Cadre (CDRE).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CDRE or VSEC?
VSEC returned +2.90% over the past 12 months, compared with -33.64% for CDRE (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CDRE or VSEC?
CDRE has the lower trailing P/E at 30.6, versus 53.7 for VSEC. 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, Cadre or VSE?
Cadre has the higher yield at 1.57%, compared with 0.24% for VSE.
Are Cadre and VSE in the same industry?
No. Cadre is in the Health Care sector, while VSE is in Consumer Discretionary.