Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (KTOS) vs Pool Corporation (POOL)

POOL leads on 11 of 14 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. and Pool Corporation 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 — KTOS vs POOL

growth of $100 · last 27y
KTOS -92.3%POOL +4383.8%POOL compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
01101001k10k100kStart $10020042009201420192024$8$4,484
KTOS POOL

KTOS vs POOL: by the numbers

  • KTOS is the larger company ($8.99B vs $7.48B market cap).
  • POOL trades at the lower earnings multiple (18.88 vs 281.40 P/E).
  • POOL converts more revenue to profit (7.58% vs 2.08% net margin).
  • KTOS grew revenue faster over the past five years (12.85% vs 4.39% CAGR).
  • POOL pays a dividend (2.46% yield) while KTOS does not currently pay one.

Which is better, KTOS or POOL?

Metric tally: KTOS 3 · POOL 11

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValuePOOL(lower P/E)
GrowthKTOS(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityPOOL(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricKTOSPOOL
P/E ratio281.4018.88
Forward P/E18.54
P/S ratio6.081.40
P/B ratio2.526.60
PEG ratio32.785.29
EV / EBITDA67.1914.16
FCF yield8.08%

Profitability

MetricKTOSPOOL
Gross margin21.80%29.69%
Operating margin2.04%10.93%
Net margin2.08%7.58%
ROE0.86%35.83%
ROIC0.83%15.43%

Dividends

MetricKTOSPOOL
Dividend yield2.46%
Payout ratio46.37%

Growth (annualized)

MetricKTOSPOOL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)12.85%4.39%
EPS CAGR (5Y)1.34%3.57%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-4.96%6.93%
Total return CAGR (5Y)11.81%-13.69%

Frequently asked

Which is better, KTOS or POOL?
It depends on your goal. value: POOL (lower P/E); growth: KTOS (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: POOL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, POOL leads 11 to 3.
Is KTOS or POOL cheaper?
On trailing earnings, POOL is cheaper: KTOS trades at a 281.40 P/E and POOL at 18.88.
Which has grown faster, KTOS or POOL?
Over the past five years, KTOS grew revenue faster — KTOS at a 12.85% CAGR versus POOL at 4.39%.
Does KTOS or POOL pay a bigger dividend?
POOL pays a dividend (2.46% yield) while KTOS does not currently pay one.
Is KTOS or POOL more profitable?
POOL runs the higher net margin — KTOS at 2.08% versus POOL at 7.58%.
Which has been the better investment, KTOS or POOL?
Over the past 10-year, KTOS delivered the higher annualized total return — KTOS at 28.26% versus POOL at 10.02%. 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.