Alliancebernstein L.P. grew its position in Kratos Defense and Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS) by 1,389.0% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 2,707,776 shares of the aerospace company's stock after buying an additional 2,525,921 shares during the period. Alliancebernstein L.P. owned
Kratos Defense and Security Solutions (NASDAQ: KTOS - Get Free Report) and Astronics (NASDAQ: ATRO - Get Free Report) are both aerospace companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, valuation, earnings, profitability and risk. Profitability This table compares Kratos Defense
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. is positioned for substantial growth as U.S. defense spending accelerates, particularly in munitions and next-generation war systems. I rate KTOS stock a Buy with a $121 price target (76.44x eFY27 EV/aEBITDA) with the expectation of operations catching up to the market capitalization. KTOS's backlog reached $1.573B with a 1.10x book-to-bill ratio; hypersonic and Valkyrie programs, plus long-term contracts, underpin robust multi-year growth.
Kratos Defense shares surge 31.4% in six months as new counter-UAS and aerial target contracts boost backlog, while rising unmanned systems demand supports growth.
KTOS expands its unmanned systems portfolio with jet-powered target drones and Valkyrie aircraft, aiming to capture growing demand for autonomous defense tech.
Here is how Kratos (KTOS) and Woodward (WWD) have performed compared to their sector so far this year.
Kratos Defense & Security's NASDAQ: KTOS stock price is poised for an acceleration, underpinned by its growth, profitability, and analyst sentiment. While the 2026 guidance was mixed, leading share prices to decline following the release, the takeaway was nothing but bullish.
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions remains a high-conviction buy, supported by exceptional positioning in hypersonics, space, microelectronics, and drones. KTOS trades at a significant premium—4x peer group valuation—justified by its exposure to high-growth defense segments and forward-looking earnings potential. Revenue and EBITDA are projected to grow at 19.5% and 28.1% annually, respectively, with margins expected to reach 11% by 2027 and free cash flow turning positive by 2028.
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc (NASDAQ:KTOS) stock is down 8.7% to trade at $86.06 this morning, the defense contractor brushing off an adjusted fourth-quarter earnings of 18 cents per share on $345.10 million in revenue, both of which topped analyst estimates.
KTOS' fourth-quarter earnings jump 38.5%, and revenues surge 21.9%, beating estimates as backlog hits $1.21 billion.
I'm not particularly worried with the 124x multiple of Kratos, as the long-term growth stock is largely intact, despite the soft Q1 guidance. Q1 2026 is now expected to be the lowest quarter this year for revenue and adjusted EBITDA. This was driven by the late-2025 federal shutdown. I see longer term upside tied to defense spending and program ramps, including potential Valkyrie benefit from a proposed FY27 U.S. defense budget increase.
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (KTOS) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript