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AIR vs DCO
Which Stock Would AI Choose? AAR Corp. (AIR) vs. Ducommun Incorporated (DCO) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Both AIR and DCO operate in the aerospace and defense sector, delivering strong year-to-date (YTD) gains of approximately 47% and 49%, respectively.
- AIR shares rose about 18% over recent weeks, fueled by major U.S. military contracts totaling over $750 million.
- DCO has shown robust momentum with one-year returns near 151%, outperforming broader markets amid record 2025 revenue.
- AIR boasts a larger market cap of $4.85 billion and positive trailing twelve months (TTM) earnings per share (EPS) of $4.55, contrasting DCO's $2.13 billion cap and negative TTM EPS.
- Analyst sentiment is positive for both, with recent price target increases signaling confidence in defense sector tailwinds.
- Relative performance highlights DCO's edge in growth metrics, while AIR offers greater scale and stability.
Introduction
This stock comparison examines AIR and DCO, two key players in the aerospace and defense industry benefiting from rising military spending and commercial aviation recovery. Traders seeking exposure to defense contractors and investors tracking industrials sector outperformers will find value in analyzing their recent trajectories, business models, and market positioning. With both stocks posting double-digit gains amid broader market volatility, understanding their relative strengths aids informed portfolio decisions in a dynamic environment.
AAR Corp. (AIR) Overview and Recent Performance
AAR Corp. (NYSE: AIR) delivers products and services to commercial aviation, government, and defense markets globally through segments like Parts Supply, Repair & Engineering, and Integrated Solutions. The company focuses on aircraft maintenance, component repairs, supply chain logistics, and expeditionary services for military applications.
In recent market activity, AIR shares advanced roughly 18% from early March levels around $103 to over $121, reflecting heightened investor interest. This momentum stemmed from strong fiscal Q3 2026 results, with sales up 25% to $845 million and adjusted EPS rising 26% to $1.25, alongside major contract awards including $450 million from the U.S. Air Force and $305 million follow-on for Navy C-40A aircraft. Analyst upgrades, such as KeyBanc's price target hike to $132, have bolstered sentiment, with the stock trading near its 52-week high of $127 amid defense budget tailwinds.
Ducommun Incorporated (DCO) Overview and Recent Performance
Ducommun Incorporated (NYSE: DCO) specializes in engineering and manufacturing for aerospace, defense, and other sectors via Electronic Systems (cable assemblies, avionics) and Structural Systems (aerostructures, engine components). It supports critical applications like radar enclosures and flight control surfaces.
Recent weeks saw DCO maintain upward trajectory, closing around $142 after strong YTD gains of 49%, outpacing the S&P 500. Positive drivers included record full-year 2025 revenue and gross margins from Q4 results, with EPS of $1.05 beating estimates. Goldman Sachs recently raised its price target to $151 while maintaining a Buy rating, reflecting optimism in the company's backlog and defense exposure. Shares hover near the 52-week high of $143, supported by sector demand despite some quarterly volatility.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
AIR and DCO share aerospace/defense exposure but differ in scale and focus: AIR's broader aviation services contrast DCO's component manufacturing emphasis. Growth drivers include defense contracts for both, though AIR benefits from commercial recovery via parts supply.
Recent momentum favors DCO with superior one- and three-year returns (151% and 170% vs. AIR's 131% and 124%), while AIR edges YTD stability. Risk factors involve supply chain disruptions and budget cycles, with AIR's positive EPS (TTM $4.55, P/E 26.8) suggesting lower volatility than DCO's negative TTM EPS. Market sentiment tilts positive, evidenced by analyst upgrades, positioning both well amid geopolitical tensions boosting sector demand.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron's AI currently leans toward DCO, citing its stronger multi-year return profile, leading YTD performance, and recent analyst support as indicators of sustained momentum in defense manufacturing. While AIR offers scale and contract catalysts, DCO's relative outperformance suggests higher probability of near-term upside in the current environment.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is AIR is a Buy and DCO is a Buy.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
AIR’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green whileDCO’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- AIR’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- DCO’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
AIR’s TA Score shows that 6 TA indicator(s) are bullish while DCO’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- AIR’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
- DCO’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
AIR (@Aerospace & Defense) experienced а +2.36% price change this week, while DCO (@Aerospace & Defense) price change was -0.21% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Aerospace & Defense industry was -3.54%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -4.48%, and the average quarterly price growth was +13.68%.
Reported Earning Dates
AIR is expected to report earnings on Jul 21, 2026.
DCO is expected to report earnings on Aug 06, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Aerospace & Defense (-3.54% weekly)Aerospace & Defense is one of largest industries in the U.S., mainly comprising the following areas: commercial airliners, military aircraft, missiles, space, and general aviation. Focused heavily on research & development, it is also one of the fastest growing industries. Military aircraft has the largest market share in the industry’s sales, followed by space systems, civil aircraft, and missiles. Aerospace exports, directly and indirectly, support more jobs than the export of any other commodity, according to a study by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin Corporation and General Electric Company are some of the most prominent players in this space.
| AIR | DCO | AIR / DCO | |
| Capitalization | 5.26B | 2.45B | 215% |
| EBITDA | 375M | 12.9M | 2,907% |
| Gain YTD | 62.194 | 73.342 | 85% |
| P/E Ratio | 29.51 | 34.66 | 85% |
| Revenue | 3.14B | 841M | 373% |
| Total Cash | 78.5M | 39.1M | 201% |
| Total Debt | 980M | 343M | 286% |
AIR | DCO | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 35 | 32 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 34 Fair valued | 79 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 8 | 3 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 65 | 93 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 37 | 37 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 99 | 66 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
AIR's Valuation (34) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is somewhat better than the same rating for DCO (79). This means that AIR’s stock grew somewhat faster than DCO’s over the last 12 months.
DCO's Profit vs Risk Rating (3) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as AIR (8). This means that DCO’s stock grew similarly to AIR’s over the last 12 months.
AIR's SMR Rating (65) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as DCO (93). This means that AIR’s stock grew similarly to DCO’s over the last 12 months.
AIR's Price Growth Rating (37) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as DCO (37). This means that AIR’s stock grew similarly to DCO’s over the last 12 months.
DCO's P/E Growth Rating (66) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is somewhat better than the same rating for AIR (99). This means that DCO’s stock grew somewhat faster than AIR’s over the last 12 months.
| AIR | DCO | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 74% | 2 days ago 53% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 65% | 2 days ago 63% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 72% | 2 days ago 70% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 65% | 2 days ago 72% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 73% | 2 days ago 67% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 68% | 2 days ago 69% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 6 days ago 73% | 2 days ago 67% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 23 days ago 58% | 23 days ago 61% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 65% | 2 days ago 61% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 67% | 2 days ago 80% |
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AIR and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, AIR has been loosely correlated with VSEC. These tickers have moved in lockstep 59% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if AIR jumps, then VSEC could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To AIR | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIR | 100% | -0.44% | ||
| VSEC - AIR | 59% Loosely correlated | -1.65% | ||
| CW - AIR | 57% Loosely correlated | +1.54% | ||
| WWD - AIR | 57% Loosely correlated | -0.76% | ||
| HWM - AIR | 56% Loosely correlated | +0.97% | ||
| SARO - AIR | 55% Loosely correlated | -1.77% | ||
More | ||||
DCO and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, DCO has been loosely correlated with CW. These tickers have moved in lockstep 56% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if DCO jumps, then CW could also see price increases.