MetaCap

Ducommun (DCO) 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

Ducommun (DCO) has outperformed Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (KTOS) over the past year, gaining 71.8% versus a loss of 59.6%. Over five years, DCO leads with a +236.2% price change compared with +86.6% for KTOS. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions is the larger company by market cap ($7.96 billion vs $2.49 billion), about 3.2 times the size.

On valuation, Ducommun trades at a lower forward P/E (30.7x vs 38.5x for Kratos Defense & Security Solutions). Kratos Defense & Security Solutions converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 1.6% versus -4.5%.

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

Relative performance

DCO+71.84%KTOS-59.55%
+123%+28%-68%
Oct 7, 20251 yearOct 7, 2026
DCO+223.49%KTOS+88.66%
+515%+214%-87%
Oct 4, 20215 yearsOct 5, 2026

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

Head-to-head

DCO versus KTOS key metrics
MetricDCOKTOS
Share price$164.60$42.42
Market cap$2.49B$7.96B
1-day change-0.66%+1.14%
YTD return+74.17%-44.75%
1-year return+71.84%-59.55%
5-year return+236.15%+86.57%
P/E ratio (TTM)—249.53
Forward P/E30.6938.45
EPS (TTM)$-1.85$0.17
Dividend yield0.00%0.00%
Annual dividend$0.00$0.00
Revenue (latest FY)$824.84M$1.35B
Revenue growth (YoY)+4.88%+18.53%
Net income (latest FY)$-37.35M$22.00M
Gross margin26.87%22.86%
Operating margin-4.33%1.90%
Net margin-4.53%1.63%
52-week high$210.39$134.00
52-week low$84.76$40.93
Distance from 52-week high-21.77%-68.34%
Analyst consensusnonestrong_buy
Avg. price target upside+28.80%+137.46%
Average volume248.45K3.89M
Shares outstanding15.10M187.72M
Employees2,1304,300
SectorIndustrialsIndustrials
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

  • Kratos Defense & Security Solutions is about 3.2 times larger than Ducommun by market value ($7.96B vs $2.49B).
  • DCO has outperformed KTOS by 131.4 percentage points over the past year.
  • Kratos Defense & Security Solutions is more profitable, keeping 1.6 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -4.5 cents for Ducommun.
  • Kratos Defense & Security Solutions grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+18.53% vs +4.88%).

About Ducommun

DCO stock →

Ducommun Incorporated provides engineering and manufacturing services for products and applications used in the aerospace and defense, industrial, medical, and other industries in the United States. It operates through two segments, Electronic Systems and Structural Systems.

Industrials · Military/Government/Technical · 2,130 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

DCO vs KTOS FAQ

Which is bigger, Ducommun or Kratos Defense & Security Solutions?

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (KTOS) is larger, with a market capitalization of $7.96B compared with $2.49B for Ducommun (DCO).

Which stock has performed better over the past year, DCO or KTOS?

DCO returned +71.84% over the past 12 months, compared with -59.55% for KTOS (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.

Are Ducommun and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions in the same industry?

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

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