A. O. Smith Corporation (AOS) vs AeroVironment, Inc. (AVAV)

AOS leads on 9 of 13 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of A. O. Smith Corporation and AeroVironment, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 24, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — AOS vs AVAV

growth of $100 · last 19y
AOS +798.9%AVAV +523.0%AOS compounded faster
05001k2kStart $1002011201520192023$899$623
AOS AVAV

AOS vs AVAV: by the numbers

  • AOS is the larger company ($8.02B vs $7.44B market cap).
  • AOS is profitable (13.84% net margin) while AVAV runs a net loss (-13.93%).
  • AVAV grew revenue faster over the past five years (32.50% vs 4.72% CAGR).
  • AOS pays a dividend (2.47% yield) while AVAV does not currently pay one.

Which is better, AOS or AVAV?

Metric tally: AOS 9 · AVAV 4

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

GrowthAVAV(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityAOS(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricAOSAVAV
P/E ratio15.28
Forward P/E15.2037.08
P/S ratio2.104.51
P/B ratio4.261.70
PEG ratio3.01
EV / EBITDA10.6540.90
FCF yield8.10%

Profitability

MetricAOSAVAV
Gross margin38.77%21.82%
Operating margin18.55%-6.10%
Net margin13.84%-13.93%
ROE28.10%-5.25%
ROIC23.94%4.17%

Dividends

MetricAOSAVAV
Dividend yield2.47%
Payout ratio36.79%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAOSAVAV
Revenue CAGR (5Y)4.72%32.50%
EPS CAGR (5Y)12.52%-2.16%
FCF CAGR (5Y)3.27%21.25%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-1.58%6.01%

Frequently asked

Which is better, AOS or AVAV?
It depends on your goal. growth: AVAV (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: AOS (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, AOS leads 9 to 4.
Which has grown faster, AOS or AVAV?
Over the past five years, AVAV grew revenue faster — AOS at a 4.72% CAGR versus AVAV at 32.50%.
Does AOS or AVAV pay a bigger dividend?
AOS pays a dividend (2.47% yield) while AVAV does not currently pay one.
Is AOS or AVAV more profitable?
AOS runs the higher net margin — AOS at 13.84% versus AVAV at -13.93%.
Which has been the better investment, AOS or AVAV?
Over the past 10-year, AVAV delivered the higher annualized total return — AOS at 4.60% versus AVAV at 17.29%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 24, 2026.