Jacobs Solutions (J) 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
Jacobs Solutions (J) has outperformed Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (KTOS) over the past year, losing 12.2% versus a loss of 59.6%. Over five years, KTOS leads with a +86.6% price change compared with +23.1% for J. Jacobs Solutions is the larger company by market cap ($15.89 billion vs $7.90 billion), about 2.0 times the size, while Kratos Defense & Security Solutions is growing revenue faster (+18.5% vs +4.6%).
On valuation, Jacobs Solutions trades at a lower forward P/E (16.4x vs 38.2x for Kratos Defense & Security Solutions). Jacobs Solutions pays a dividend yielding 1.00%, while Kratos Defense & Security Solutions does not currently pay one. Jacobs Solutions converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 2.4% 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 | J | KTOS |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $135.77 | $42.11 |
| Market cap | $15.89B | $7.90B |
| 1-day change | -0.43% | +0.41% |
| YTD return | +2.94% | -44.75% |
| 1-year return | -12.21% | -59.55% |
| 5-year return | +23.05% | +86.57% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 45.10 | 247.71 |
| Forward P/E | 16.42 | 38.17 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.01 | $0.17 |
| Dividend yield | 1.00% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $1.36 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $12.03B | $1.35B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +4.60% | +18.53% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $289.34M | $22.00M |
| Gross margin | 24.81% | 22.86% |
| Operating margin | 7.18% | 1.90% |
| Net margin | 2.41% | 1.63% |
| 52-week high | $168.44 | $134.00 |
| 52-week low | $105.68 | $40.93 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -19.40% | -68.57% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +19.67% | +139.21% |
| Average volume | 860.63K | 3.89M |
| Shares outstanding | 117.04M | 187.72M |
| Employees | 47,000 | 4,300 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Military/Government/Technical | 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
- Jacobs Solutions is about 2.0 times larger than Kratos Defense & Security Solutions by market value ($15.89B vs $7.90B).
- J has outperformed KTOS by 47.3 percentage points over the past year.
- Kratos Defense & Security Solutions trades at a higher earnings multiple (247.7x vs 45.1x trailing P/E).
- Jacobs Solutions offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.00% vs 0.00%).
- Kratos Defense & Security Solutions grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+18.53% vs +4.60%).
About Jacobs Solutions
J stock →Jacobs Solutions Inc. engages in the infrastructure and advanced facilities, and consulting businesses in the United States, Europe, Canada, India, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, and Africa.
Industrials · Military/Government/Technical · 47,000 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 · Military/Government/Technical · 4,300 employees
J vs KTOS FAQ
Which is bigger, Jacobs Solutions or Kratos Defense & Security Solutions?
Jacobs Solutions (J) is larger, with a market capitalization of $15.89B compared with $7.90B for Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (KTOS).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, J or KTOS?
J returned -12.21% 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, J or KTOS?
J has the lower trailing P/E at 45.1, versus 247.7 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, Jacobs Solutions or Kratos Defense & Security Solutions?
Jacobs Solutions pays a dividend yielding 1.00%, while Kratos Defense & Security Solutions does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Jacobs Solutions and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Military/Government/Technical industry within the Industrials sector.