Elbit Systems (ESLT) 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
Elbit Systems (ESLT) has outperformed Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (KTOS) over the past year, gaining 28.6% versus a loss of 59.6%. Over five years, ESLT leads with a +351.4% price change compared with +86.6% for KTOS. Elbit Systems is the larger company by market cap ($31.36 billion vs $7.87 billion), about 4.0 times the size, while Kratos Defense & Security Solutions is growing revenue faster (+18.5% vs +16.3%).
On valuation, Elbit Systems trades at a lower forward P/E (36.4x vs 38.0x for Kratos Defense & Security Solutions). Elbit Systems pays a dividend yielding 0.56%, while Kratos Defense & Security Solutions does not currently pay one. Elbit Systems converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 6.7% 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 | ESLT | KTOS |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $669.13 | $41.94 |
| Market cap | $31.36B | $7.87B |
| 1-day change | -3.18% | -4.05% |
| YTD return | +15.82% | -44.75% |
| 1-year return | +28.56% | -59.55% |
| 5-year return | +351.38% | +86.57% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 50.35 | 262.13 |
| Forward P/E | 36.44 | 38.02 |
| EPS (TTM) | $13.29 | $0.16 |
| Dividend yield | 0.56% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $3.75 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $7.94B | $1.35B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +16.27% | +18.53% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $534.34M | $22.00M |
| Gross margin | 24.38% | 22.86% |
| Operating margin | 8.46% | 1.90% |
| Net margin | 6.73% | 1.63% |
| 52-week high | $1,016.06 | $134.00 |
| 52-week low | $453.00 | $40.93 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -34.14% | -68.70% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +19.76% | +140.18% |
| Average volume | 79.00K | 3.85M |
| Shares outstanding | 46.86M | 187.72M |
| Employees | 21,000 | 4,300 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Military/Government/Technical | Aerospace & Defense |
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
- Elbit Systems is about 4.0 times larger than Kratos Defense & Security Solutions by market value ($31.36B vs $7.87B).
- ESLT has outperformed KTOS by 88.1 percentage points over the past year.
- Kratos Defense & Security Solutions trades at a higher earnings multiple (262.1x vs 50.3x trailing P/E).
- Elbit Systems is more profitable, keeping 6.7 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 1.6 cents for Kratos Defense & Security Solutions.
About Elbit Systems
ESLT stock →Elbit Systems Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, develops and supplies defense and homeland security arenas products and services in Israel, North America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and internationally. The company operates through five segments: Aerospace; C4I and Cyber; Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare; Land; and Elbit Systems of America.
Industrials · Military/Government/Technical · 21,000 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 · Aerospace & Defense · 4,300 employees
ESLT vs KTOS FAQ
Which is bigger, Elbit Systems or Kratos Defense & Security Solutions?
Elbit Systems (ESLT) is larger, with a market capitalization of $31.36B compared with $7.87B for Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (KTOS).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ESLT or KTOS?
ESLT returned +28.56% 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, ESLT or KTOS?
ESLT has the lower trailing P/E at 50.3, versus 262.1 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, Elbit Systems or Kratos Defense & Security Solutions?
Elbit Systems pays a dividend yielding 0.56%, while Kratos Defense & Security Solutions does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Elbit Systems and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions in the same industry?
Both are in the Industrials sector, but in different industries: Military/Government/Technical for Elbit Systems and Aerospace & Defense for Kratos Defense & Security Solutions.