A. O. Smith Corporation (AOS) vs Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (KTOS)
A side-by-side comparison of A. O. Smith Corporation and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 23, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
AOS
A. O. Smith Corporation
$63.08IndustrialsAt close: Aug 21, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
KTOS
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.
$57.17IndustrialsAt close: Aug 21, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
Total return — AOS vs KTOS
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yAOS +57.0% (+4.6%/yr)KTOS +668.4% (+22.6%/yr)KTOS compounded faster over this window
AOS KTOS
AOS vs KTOS: by the numbers
- •KTOS is the larger company ($10.72B vs $8.74B market cap).
- •AOS trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (17.57 vs 335.50 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •AOS converts more revenue to profit (13.15% vs 2.03% net margin).
- •KTOS grew revenue faster over the past five years (13.51% vs 3.37% CAGR).
- •AOS pays a dividend (2.28% yield), while KTOS has no payments in the available dividend history.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AOS | KTOS |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 17.57 | 335.50 |
| Forward P/E | 16.89 | N/A |
| P/S ratio | 2.30 | 7.14 |
| P/B ratio | 4.74 | 3.17 |
| EV / EBITDA | 12.13 | 84.50 |
| FCF yield | 7.32% | N/A |
Profitability
| Metric | AOS | KTOS |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 38.59% | 21.99% |
| Operating margin | 17.57% | 1.54% |
| Net margin | 13.15% | 2.03% |
| ROE | 27.16% | 0.90% |
| ROIC | 18.44% | 0.49% |
Dividends
| Metric | AOS | KTOS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.28% | N/A |
| Payout ratio | 37.31% | N/A |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AOS | KTOS |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 3.37% | 13.51% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 12.52% | -28.43% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.38% | -4.96% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -0.51% | 21.07% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, AOS or KTOS?
- AOS has the lower trailing P/E: AOS trades at 17.57 and KTOS at 335.50. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, AOS or KTOS?
- Over the past five years, KTOS grew revenue faster — AOS at a 3.37% CAGR versus KTOS at 13.51%.
- Does AOS or KTOS pay a bigger dividend?
- AOS pays a dividend (2.28% yield), while KTOS has no payments in the available dividend history.
- Is AOS or KTOS more profitable?
- AOS runs the higher net margin — AOS at 13.15% versus KTOS at 2.03%.
- How have AOS and KTOS total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, AOS delivered 4.74% and KTOS delivered 23.59% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
A. O. Smith P/E ratioKratos Defense & Security Solutions P/E ratioA. O. Smith dividend yieldA. O. Smith ROEKratos Defense & Security Solutions ROEA. O. Smith operating marginKratos Defense & Security Solutions operating marginA. O. Smith revenue growthKratos Defense & Security Solutions revenue growthA. O. Smith free cash flowKratos Defense & Security Solutions free cash flow
A. O. Smith & Kratos Defense & Security Solutions appear in these rankings
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 August 23, 2026.