Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (KTOS) vs Sterling Infrastructure (STRL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Sterling Infrastructure (STRL) has outperformed Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (KTOS) over the past year, gaining 53.2% versus a loss of 59.6%. Over five years, STRL leads with a +2212.3% price change compared with +86.6% for KTOS. Sterling Infrastructure is the larger company by market cap ($16.34 billion vs $7.87 billion), about 2.1 times the size, while Kratos Defense & Security Solutions is growing revenue faster (+18.5% vs +17.7%).
On valuation, Sterling Infrastructure trades at a lower forward P/E (21.0x vs 38.0x for Kratos Defense & Security Solutions). Sterling Infrastructure converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 11.7% 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 | KTOS | STRL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $41.94 | $534.13 |
| Market cap | $7.87B | $16.34B |
| 1-day change | -4.05% | -5.24% |
| YTD return | -44.75% | +74.42% |
| 1-year return | -59.55% | +53.23% |
| 5-year return | +86.57% | +2212.25% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 246.71 | 38.48 |
| Forward P/E | 38.02 | 21.03 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.17 | $13.88 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.35B | $2.49B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +18.53% | +17.69% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $22.00M | $290.15M |
| Gross margin | 22.86% | 22.98% |
| Operating margin | 1.90% | 16.30% |
| Net margin | 1.63% | 11.65% |
| 52-week high | $134.00 | $1,005.68 |
| 52-week low | $40.93 | $281.58 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -68.70% | -46.89% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +140.18% | +58.28% |
| Average volume | 3.85M | 652.16K |
| Shares outstanding | 187.72M | 30.59M |
| Employees | 4,300 | 6,200 |
| 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
- Sterling Infrastructure is about 2.1 times larger than Kratos Defense & Security Solutions by market value ($16.34B vs $7.87B).
- STRL has outperformed KTOS by 112.8 percentage points over the past year.
- Kratos Defense & Security Solutions trades at a higher earnings multiple (246.7x vs 38.5x trailing P/E).
- Sterling Infrastructure is more profitable, keeping 11.7 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 1.6 cents for Kratos Defense & Security Solutions.
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
About Sterling Infrastructure
STRL stock →Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. engages in the provision of e-infrastructure, transportation, and building solutions in the United States.
Industrials · Military/Government/Technical · 6,200 employees
KTOS vs STRL FAQ
Which is bigger, Kratos Defense & Security Solutions or Sterling Infrastructure?
Sterling Infrastructure (STRL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $16.34B compared with $7.87B for Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (KTOS).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, KTOS or STRL?
STRL returned +53.23% 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, KTOS or STRL?
STRL has the lower trailing P/E at 38.5, versus 246.7 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.
Are Kratos Defense & Security Solutions and Sterling Infrastructure in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Military/Government/Technical industry within the Industrials sector.