VSEC vs. CMTL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VSEC (VSE Corporation) and CMTL (Comtech Telecommunications Corp.) are both stocks. VSEC operates in Aerospace & Defense (Industrials), while CMTL operates in Communication Equipment (Technology). Over the past 10 years, VSEC returned 19.16%/yr vs -11.60%/yr for CMTL. At a 0.21 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

VSEC vs. CMTL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VSE Corporation (VSEC) and Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (CMTL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VSEC achieves a 1.98% return, which is significantly lower than CMTL's 6.62% return. Over the past 10 years, VSEC has outperformed CMTL with an annualized return of 19.16%, while CMTL has yielded a comparatively lower -11.60% annualized return.

VSEC

• 1D: -2.31%
• 1M: 4.71%
• YTD: 1.98%
• 6M: 4.52%
• 1Y: 34.31%
• 3Y*: 51.83%
• 5Y*: 29.45%
• 10Y*: 19.16%

CMTL

• 1D: -2.76%
• 1M: 54.52%
• YTD: 6.62%
• 6M: 74.07%
• 1Y: 168.57%
• 3Y*: -22.97%
• 5Y*: -24.74%
• 10Y*: -11.60%

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

VSEC vs. CMTL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VSEC VSE Corporation	1.98%	82.26%	47.93%	39.19%	-22.35%	59.55%	2.54%	28.56%	-37.81%	25.45%
CMTL Comtech Telecommunications Corp.	6.62%	31.92%	-52.43%	-30.04%	-47.10%	16.52%	-40.46%	48.02%	11.56%	91.66%

Correlation

The correlation between VSEC and CMTL is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.26
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.34
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 21, 1995	0.21

The correlation between VSEC and CMTL shifts across timeframes, from 0.21 (all time) to 0.34 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

Market Cap VSEC : $4.90B CMTL : $168.21M
EPS VSEC : $2.73 CMTL : -$680.48K
PS Ratio VSEC : 3.43 CMTL : 0.00
Total Revenue (TTM) VSEC : $1.18B CMTL : $106.76T
Gross Profit (TTM) VSEC : $105.32M CMTL : $36.22T
EBITDA (TTM) VSEC : $128.59M CMTL : $4.11T

Return for Risk

VSEC vs. CMTL — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSEC

VSEC Risk / Return Rank: 62
VSEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
VSEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
VSEC Omega Ratio Rank: 58
VSEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
VSEC Martin Ratio Rank: 68

CMTL

CMTL Risk / Return Rank: 84
CMTL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
CMTL Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
CMTL Omega Ratio Rank: 81
CMTL Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
CMTL Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

VSEC vs. CMTL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VSE Corporation (VSEC) and Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (CMTL). 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.

	VSEC	CMTL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.64	2.02	-1.38
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.28	2.47	-1.19
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.32	-0.16
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.14	3.42	-2.28
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.29	8.02	-4.73
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VSEC vs. CMTL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSEC Sharpe Ratio is 0.64, which is lower than the CMTL Sharpe Ratio of 2.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSEC and CMTL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VSEC	CMTL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.64	2.02	-1.38
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64	-0.28	+0.92
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.41	-0.16	+0.57
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.26	0.08	+0.19

Drawdowns

VSEC vs. CMTL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSEC drawdown since its inception was -76.09%, smaller than the maximum CMTL drawdown of -96.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSEC and CMTL.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSEC	CMTL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-76.09%	-96.69%	+20.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-30.31%	-49.67%	+19.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.31%	-90.21%	+59.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-47.58%	-95.27%	+47.69%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-76.09%	-96.42%	+20.33%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-22.68%	-85.04%	+62.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-30.68%	-47.42%	+16.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.47%	21.12%	-10.65%

Volatility

VSEC vs. CMTL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VSE Corporation (VSEC) is 22.49%, while Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (CMTL) has a volatility of 24.19%. This indicates that VSEC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CMTL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VSEC	CMTL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	22.49%	24.19%	-1.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	45.62%	64.41%	-18.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	53.79%	84.16%	-30.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	46.09%	90.12%	-44.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	46.97%	73.79%	-26.82%

Dividends

VSEC vs. CMTL - Dividend Comparison

VSEC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.23%, while CMTL has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CMTL Comtech Telecommunications Corp.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	1.19%	3.29%	1.69%	1.93%	1.13%	1.64%	1.81%	10.13%	5.97%
VSEC VSE Corporation	0.23%	0.23%	0.42%	0.77%	0.85%	0.59%	0.94%	0.89%	1.00%	0.54%	0.51%	0.68%

Financials

VSEC vs. CMTL - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between VSE Corporation and Comtech Telecommunications Corp. over time, highlighting three key metrics: Gross Profit Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Profit Margin.

VSEC - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, VSE Corporation reported a gross profit of 0.00 and revenue of 324.58M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 0.0%.

CMTL - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Comtech Telecommunications Corp. reported a gross profit of 36.22T and revenue of 106.76T. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 33.9%.

VSEC - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, VSE Corporation reported an operating income of 32.75M and revenue of 324.58M, resulting in an operating margin of 10.1%.

CMTL - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Comtech Telecommunications Corp. reported an operating income of 4.11T and revenue of 106.76T, resulting in an operating margin of 3.9%.

VSEC - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, VSE Corporation reported a net income of 29.06M and revenue of 324.58M, resulting in a net margin of 9.0%.

CMTL - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Comtech Telecommunications Corp. reported a net income of -20.16T and revenue of 106.76T, resulting in a net margin of -18.9%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VSEC and CMTL in my portfolio?

VSEC and CMTL have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VSEC or CMTL?

CMTL has higher volatility (24.19%) compared to VSEC (22.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSEC dropped -76.09% vs CMTL's -96.69%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CMTL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.02 vs 0.64), 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.