KTOS vs. STRL

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

KTOS (Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.) and STRL (Sterling Infrastructure, Inc.) are both stocks. Both are in the Industrials sector — KTOS in Aerospace & Defense, STRL in Engineering & Construction. Over the past 10 years, KTOS returned 30.83%/yr vs 67.37%/yr for STRL. At a 0.21 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

KTOS vs. STRL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (KTOS) and Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KTOS achieves a -23.92% return, which is significantly lower than STRL's 180.50% return. Over the past 10 years, KTOS has underperformed STRL with an annualized return of 30.83%, while STRL has yielded a comparatively higher 67.37% annualized return.

KTOS

• 1D: -1.75%
• 1M: 10.87%
• YTD: -23.92%
• 6M: -23.97%
• 1Y: 38.29%
• 3Y*: 60.38%
• 5Y*: 17.13%
• 10Y*: 30.83%

STRL

• 1D: 2.44%
• 1M: 1.20%
• YTD: 180.50%
• 6M: 172.57%
• 1Y: 323.17%
• 3Y*: 152.83%
• 5Y*: 104.12%
• 10Y*: 67.37%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

KTOS vs. STRL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
KTOS Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.	-23.92%	187.76%	30.01%	96.61%	-46.80%	-29.27%	52.30%	27.82%	33.05%	43.11%
STRL Sterling Infrastructure, Inc.	180.50%	81.79%	91.57%	168.08%	24.71%	41.32%	32.17%	29.29%	-33.11%	92.43%

Correlation

The correlation between KTOS and STRL is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.36
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.40
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.34
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 5, 1999	0.21

The correlation between KTOS and STRL shifts across timeframes, from 0.21 (all time) to 0.40 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

Market Cap KTOS : $10.36B STRL : $26.66B
EPS KTOS : $0.17 STRL : $11.19
PE Ratio KTOS : 335.35 STRL : 76.77
PEG Ratio KTOS : 3.89 STRL : 1.63
PS Ratio KTOS : 6.97 STRL : 9.22
PB Ratio KTOS : 3.04 STRL : 22.41
Total Revenue (TTM) KTOS : $1.42B STRL : $2.88B
Gross Profit (TTM) KTOS : $259.40M STRL : $664.66M
EBITDA (TTM) KTOS : $78.30M STRL : $429.99M

Return for Risk

KTOS vs. STRL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

KTOS

KTOS Risk / Return Rank: 60
KTOS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
KTOS Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
KTOS Omega Ratio Rank: 59
KTOS Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
KTOS Martin Ratio Rank: 57

STRL

STRL Risk / Return Rank: 97
STRL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
STRL Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
STRL Omega Ratio Rank: 95
STRL Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
STRL Martin Ratio Rank: 98

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

KTOS vs. STRL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (KTOS) and Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	KTOS	STRL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.56	3.92	-3.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.25	4.04	-2.80
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.54	-0.39
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.67	10.41	-9.74
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.34	28.52	-27.18

KTOS vs. STRL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KTOS Sharpe Ratio is 0.56, which is lower than the STRL Sharpe Ratio of 3.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KTOS and STRL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

KTOS vs. STRL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KTOS drawdown since its inception was -99.81%, which is greater than STRL's maximum drawdown of -92.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KTOS and STRL.

Drawdown Indicators

	KTOS	STRL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.81%	-92.51%	-7.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-60.15%	-31.02%	-29.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-60.15%	-47.67%	-12.48%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-69.39%	-47.67%	-21.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-72.74%	-59.60%	-13.14%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-96.34%	-13.56%	-82.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-95.93%	-46.29%	-49.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	29.90%	11.30%	+18.60%

Volatility

KTOS vs. STRL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (KTOS) is 23.44%, while Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL) has a volatility of 27.60%. This indicates that KTOS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than STRL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KTOS	STRL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	23.44%	27.60%	-4.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	57.02%	65.26%	-8.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	72.17%	82.41%	-10.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	52.33%	57.29%	-4.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	50.82%	53.58%	-2.76%

Dividends

KTOS vs. STRL - Dividend Comparison

Neither KTOS nor STRL has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Financials

KTOS vs. STRL - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. and Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. over time, highlighting three key metrics: Gross Profit Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Profit Margin.

KTOS - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. reported a gross profit of 34.70M and revenue of 371.00M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 9.4%.

STRL - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. reported a gross profit of 194.30M and revenue of 825.68M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 23.5%.

KTOS - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. reported an operating income of 4.70M and revenue of 371.00M, resulting in an operating margin of 1.3%.

STRL - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. reported an operating income of 2.36M and revenue of 825.68M, resulting in an operating margin of 0.3%.

KTOS - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. reported a net income of 11.90M and revenue of 371.00M, resulting in a net margin of 3.2%.

STRL - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. reported a net income of 95.97M and revenue of 825.68M, resulting in a net margin of 11.6%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KTOS and STRL in my portfolio?

KTOS and STRL have a correlation of 0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, KTOS or STRL?

STRL has higher volatility (27.60%) compared to KTOS (23.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KTOS dropped -99.81% vs STRL's -92.51%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

STRL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.92 vs 0.56), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.