BWX Technologies (BWXT), Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (KTOS), and Rocket Lab (RKLB) operate in the high-growth aerospace, defense, and space sectors, fueled by rising government spending and technological advancements. This stock comparison analyzes their business models, recent performance, and market positioning to aid traders seeking momentum plays and investors eyeing long-term stability. With defense budgets expanding and commercial space booming, these stocks offer exposure to nuclear propulsion, unmanned systems, and launch services, appealing to those tracking relative performance in a volatile environment.
BWX Technologies (BWXT) specializes in nuclear components for naval propulsion, government operations, and commercial power, serving U.S. defense and energy markets. In recent market activity, shares have risen about 12% YTD and over 100% in the past year, outperforming the aerospace sector's 37% gain. Strong Q4 2025 results showed 18% sales growth to $3.2 billion and 20% adjusted EPS increase, bolstered by a $7.4 billion backlog and multi-billion-dollar contracts for uranium enrichment. Sentiment remains positive due to nuclear demand in defense and clean energy, with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and low beta of 0.81 signaling stability amid broader gains.
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (KTOS) focuses on unmanned aerial systems, hypersonics, and satellite ground systems for national security clients. Recent weeks have seen shares up roughly 15% YTD and nearly 200% over the past year, surpassing sector benchmarks. Q4 2025 earnings beat estimates with 22% revenue growth to $345 million and EPS of 18 cents, up 39% year-over-year, driven by drone and propulsion demand. A $1.35 billion annual revenue run-rate and contracts with U.S. military branches have fueled momentum, though high beta of 1.15 reflects volatility tied to defense spending shifts.
Rocket Lab (RKLB) provides small satellite launch services via Electron rocket and develops Neutron for larger payloads, targeting commercial and government space missions. Shares have surged about 2% YTD but over 270% in the past year, with recent launches like the 83rd Electron mission boosting confidence. A substantial backlog, including Space Force contracts, supports revenue growth to $852 million projected for 2026, though persistent losses and beta over 2.0 highlight execution risks in a competitive launch market.
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BWXT, KTOS, and RKLB share aerospace-defense exposure but diverge in models: BWXT's nuclear focus yields steady government revenues versus KTOS' agile drones and RKLB's launch cadence. Growth drivers include BWXT's backlog, KTOS' earnings surprises, and RKLB's missions, with recent momentum favoring RKLB (270%+ yearly) over BWXT (100%) and KTOS (195%). Risks: BWXT faces regulatory hurdles, KTOS contract dependencies, RKLB profitability delays. BWXT's positive PE contrasts unprofitable peers; high betas amplify RKLB's sentiment swings versus BWXT's resilience.
Tickeron’s AI currently favors BWXT for its trend consistency, profitability, and defensive backlog amid sector volatility. While RKLB leads in momentum and KTOS in earnings beats, BWXT's lower risk and Zacks #1 rank suggest higher probability of sustained outperformance in the near term.
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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).
BWXT’s FA Score shows that 3 FA rating(s) are green whileKTOS’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s), and RKLB’s FA Score reflects 1 green FA rating(s).
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.
BWXT’s TA Score shows that 6 TA indicator(s) are bullish while KTOS’s TA Score has 6 bullish TA indicator(s), and RKLB’s TA Score reflects 6 bullish TA indicator(s).
BWXT (@Aerospace & Defense) experienced а -1.97% price change this week, while KTOS (@Aerospace & Defense) price change was +0.92% , and RKLB (@Aerospace & Defense) price fluctuated +24.61% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Aerospace & Defense industry was +1.71%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +10.37%, and the average quarterly price growth was +29.41%.
BWXT is expected to report earnings on May 04, 2026.
KTOS is expected to report earnings on May 06, 2026.
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.
| BWXT | KTOS | RKLB | |
| Capitalization | 20.9B | 13.1B | 51.7B |
| EBITDA | 552M | 103M | -155.47M |
| Gain YTD | 32.235 | -6.481 | 28.240 |
| P/E Ratio | 63.75 | 537.15 | N/A |
| Revenue | 3.2B | 1.35B | 602M |
| Total Cash | N/A | 561M | 1.02B |
| Total Debt | 2.02B | 146M | 254M |
BWXT | KTOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 50 | 50 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 95 Overvalued | 94 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 7 | 61 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 33 | 89 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 40 | 63 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 13 | 14 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 75 | 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.
KTOS's Valuation (94) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as BWXT (95). This means that KTOS’s stock grew similarly to BWXT’s over the last 12 months.
BWXT's Profit vs Risk Rating (7) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is somewhat better than the same rating for KTOS (61). This means that BWXT’s stock grew somewhat faster than KTOS’s over the last 12 months.
BWXT's SMR Rating (33) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is somewhat better than the same rating for KTOS (89). This means that BWXT’s stock grew somewhat faster than KTOS’s over the last 12 months.
BWXT's Price Growth Rating (40) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as KTOS (63). This means that BWXT’s stock grew similarly to KTOS’s over the last 12 months.
BWXT's P/E Growth Rating (13) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as KTOS (14). This means that BWXT’s stock grew similarly to KTOS’s over the last 12 months.
| BWXT | KTOS | RKLB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 52% | 4 days ago 72% | 4 days ago 81% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 48% | 4 days ago 82% | 4 days ago 77% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 77% | 4 days ago 78% | 4 days ago 85% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 73% | 4 days ago 87% | 4 days ago 89% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 69% | 4 days ago 79% | 4 days ago 87% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 71% | 4 days ago 73% | 4 days ago 89% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 6 days ago 69% | 6 days ago 79% | 4 days ago 86% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 11 days ago 55% | 4 days ago 72% | 14 days ago 83% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 52% | 4 days ago 77% | 4 days ago 70% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 67% | 4 days ago 78% | 4 days ago 81% |
| 1 Day | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, KTOS has been loosely correlated with KRMN. These tickers have moved in lockstep 60% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if KTOS jumps, then KRMN could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To KTOS | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KTOS | 100% | -4.60% | ||
| KRMN - KTOS | 60% Loosely correlated | -4.93% | ||
| AVAV - KTOS | 59% Loosely correlated | -5.23% | ||
| MRCY - KTOS | 56% Loosely correlated | -1.01% | ||
| DRS - KTOS | 55% Loosely correlated | -0.82% | ||
| HII - KTOS | 52% Loosely correlated | -0.34% | ||
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A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, RKLB has been closely correlated with LUNR. These tickers have moved in lockstep 68% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if RKLB jumps, then LUNR could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To RKLB | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RKLB | 100% | +5.50% | ||
| LUNR - RKLB | 68% Closely correlated | -0.24% | ||
| RDW - RKLB | 60% Loosely correlated | -1.26% | ||
| ACHR - RKLB | 54% Loosely correlated | N/A | ||
| RCAT - RKLB | 52% Loosely correlated | -0.94% | ||
| KRMN - RKLB | 49% Loosely correlated | -1.06% | ||
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