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KRMN vs KTOS
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Karman Holdings Inc. (KRMN) vs. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (KTOS) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Both KRMN and KTOS operate in the aerospace and defense sector, focusing on mission-critical systems amid rising demand for hypersonics, missiles, and drones.
- KRMN shows positive YTD return of +16.85% versus KTOS's -23.74%, but both have faced sharp recent pullbacks of over 30% in the past month.
- KTOS boasts larger scale with $1.42B TTM revenue compared to KRMN's $471.5M, and recent Q1 earnings beat with 22.6% revenue growth.
- Analyst targets suggest upside: KRMN average $117.10 (93% potential), KTOS $112.20 (94% potential).
- High P/E ratios (KRMN 468x, KTOS 341x) reflect growth premiums but elevate risk in volatile markets.
- Tickeron's AI leans toward KTOS for diversified unmanned systems exposure and recent catalysts.
Introduction
This stock comparison examines KRMN and KTOS, two players in the aerospace and defense industry benefiting from heightened geopolitical tensions and U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) spending on advanced technologies like hypersonics and unmanned systems. Investors seeking exposure to defense modernization, missile defense, and space launch markets may find this analysis relevant for evaluating relative performance, growth drivers, and market positioning. Both stocks have experienced significant volatility in recent market activity, with pullbacks from 52-week highs amid broader sector rotations, offering insights into momentum, valuation, and sentiment shifts for traders and long-term holders alike.
KRMN Overview and Recent Performance
Karman Holdings Inc. (KRMN), through its subsidiary Karman Space and Defense, designs, tests, manufactures, and sells mission-critical systems such as payload protection, aerodynamic interstage, and propulsion solutions for hypersonics, strategic missile defense, tactical missiles, and space launch markets. Headquartered in Huntington Beach, California, with 1,400 employees, the company reported TTM revenue of $471.5M and EPS of $0.13, with Q4 FY25 revenue at $134.49M and EPS of $0.11.
In recent market activity, KRMN shares traded around $60.84, down sharply over 30% in the past month from highs near $118 amid profit-taking after strong yearly gains. YTD return stands at +16.85%, outperforming the S&P 500's 8.08%, with 1-year gains of 57.62%. Sentiment has been influenced by insider buying signals, leadership appointments like a new CGO, and analyst reiterations (e.g., Needham's Buy at $125), alongside procedural 10-K delays and rising short interest at 9.67% of float. Broader defense demand supports positioning, though high P/E of 468x signals growth expectations.
KTOS Overview and Recent Performance
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (KTOS) develops technology, products, systems, and software for defense, national security, and commercial markets, operating via Kratos Government Solutions and Unmanned Systems segments. Offerings include drone systems, hypersonic vehicles, propulsion, microwave electronics, and counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS), serving DoD and international clients from San Diego, California, with 4,300 employees. TTM revenue reached $1.42B, EPS $0.17, with Q1 2026 revenue of $371M (+22.6% YoY) and EPS $0.16 beating estimates.
Recent weeks saw KTOS shares around $57.89, down over 20% monthly amid post-earnings digestion despite beats, with YTD -23.74% but robust 1-year +69.17% gains. Trading volume spiked to 4.3M shares, reflecting interest in new hypersonic test facility announcements and drone demand. Analyst adjustments (e.g., Citizens' $105 target) mix with upgrades, while low debt/equity (5.44%) and ROE of 1.23% underscore stability. Geopolitical catalysts and Q2 EBITDA guidance boosts have shaped positive underlying sentiment despite volatility.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
KRMN and KTOS share sector exposure in aerospace and defense but differ in business models: KRMN specializes in hardware like propulsion and interstage systems for niche hypersonic/missile applications, while KTOS offers broader tech integration including software-defined drones, C-UAS, and satellite systems with international/commercial reach. Growth drivers include DoD budgets and geopolitical demand, but KTOS benefits from larger scale ($1.42B vs. $472M TTM revenue) and recent wins like Q1 beats and hypersonic facilities.
Recent momentum shows both down 20-30% monthly from peaks, with KRMN holding YTD gains and KTOS stronger 1-year returns. Risk factors: elevated P/E ratios (468x vs. 341x), contract dependencies, and execution on advanced programs; KRMN faces higher short interest (9.67%), KTOS lower debt. Market sentiment favors both via analyst upside (90%+ potentials), but KRMN’s niche vs. KTOS’s diversification presents key trade-offs in relative performance and stability.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently favors KTOS based on trend consistency in unmanned systems, recent Q1 catalysts like earnings beats and hypersonic expansions, and diversified positioning amid DoD demand. While KRMN exhibits YTD stability and insider confidence, KTOS’s larger revenue base and analyst consensus offer a probabilistic edge for relative strength in the near term.
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 Disclaimers and Limitations.
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 KRMN is a Hold and KTOS is a Hold.
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).
KRMN’s FA Score shows that 0 FA rating(s) are green whileKTOS’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- KRMN’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
- KTOS’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.
KRMN’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while KTOS’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- KRMN’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
- KTOS’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
KRMN (@Aerospace & Defense) experienced а +9.21% price change this week, while KTOS (@Aerospace & Defense) price change was -3.77% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Aerospace & Defense industry was -1.30%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -2.79%, and the average quarterly price growth was +43.73%.
Reported Earning Dates
KRMN is expected to report earnings on Aug 06, 2026.
KTOS is expected to report earnings on Jul 30, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Aerospace & Defense (-1.30% 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.
| KRMN | KTOS | KRMN / KTOS | |
| Capitalization | 8.75B | 10.3B | 85% |
| EBITDA | 106M | 110M | 96% |
| Gain YTD | -9.772 | -27.743 | 35% |
| P/E Ratio | 287.04 | 322.65 | 89% |
| Revenue | 428M | 1.42B | 30% |
| Total Cash | 18.7M | 1.46B | 1% |
| Total Debt | 484M | 185M | 262% |
KTOS | ||
|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 55 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 90 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 76 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 89 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 65 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 27 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | n/a |
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.
| KRMN | KTOS | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 90% | 2 days ago 76% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 90% | 2 days ago 75% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 60% | 2 days ago 80% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 89% | 2 days ago 66% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 90% | 2 days ago 71% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 68% | 2 days ago 76% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 90% | about 1 month ago 79% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 11 days ago 71% | 11 days ago 73% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 90% | 2 days ago 69% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 38% | 2 days ago 72% |
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| 1 Day | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ETFs / NAME | Price $ | Chg $ | Chg % |
| LOWV | 80.92 | 0.81 | +1.01% |
| AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF | |||
| BAB | 26.81 | 0.04 | +0.15% |
| Invesco Taxable Municipal Bond ETF | |||
| DDWWF | 6.18 | N/A | N/A |
| Dividend Growth Split Corp. | |||
| JMTG | 50.61 | -0.03 | -0.06% |
| JPMorgan Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF | |||
| CVRT | 51.74 | -0.18 | -0.34% |
| Calamos Convertible Equity Alt ETF | |||
KRMN and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, KRMN has been loosely correlated with KTOS. These tickers have moved in lockstep 61% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if KRMN jumps, then KTOS could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To KRMN | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KRMN | 100% | -1.87% | ||
| KTOS - KRMN | 61% Loosely correlated | +4.50% | ||
| CW - KRMN | 54% Loosely correlated | -0.02% | ||
| MRCY - KRMN | 49% Loosely correlated | +2.25% | ||
| DRS - KRMN | 49% Loosely correlated | +0.82% | ||
| LHX - KRMN | 48% Loosely correlated | +0.88% | ||
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