Leonardo DRS (NASDAQ:DRS – Get Free Report) and Elbit Systems (NASDAQ:ESLT – Get Free Report) are both large-cap aerospace companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, profitability, dividends, earnings, analyst recommendations, valuation and risk.
Risk & Volatility
Leonardo DRS has a beta of 0.45, indicating that its share price is 55% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Elbit Systems has a beta of 0.22, indicating that its share price is 78% less volatile than the S&P 500.
Analyst Recommendations
This is a summary of recent recommendations for Leonardo DRS and Elbit Systems, as provided by MarketBeat.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| Leonardo DRS | 0 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 2.67 |
| Elbit Systems | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2.40 |
Insider & Institutional Ownership
18.8% of Leonardo DRS shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 17.9% of Elbit Systems shares are held by institutional investors. 0.3% of Leonardo DRS shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.8% of Elbit Systems shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.
Profitability
This table compares Leonardo DRS and Elbit Systems’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| Leonardo DRS | 7.43% | 11.37% | 7.11% |
| Elbit Systems | 5.91% | 15.04% | 4.69% |
Earnings and Valuation
This table compares Leonardo DRS and Elbit Systems”s gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| Leonardo DRS | $3.23 billion | 3.14 | $213.00 million | $0.98 | 38.91 |
| Elbit Systems | $6.83 billion | N/A | $321.14 million | $9.84 | 68.74 |
Elbit Systems has higher revenue and earnings than Leonardo DRS. Leonardo DRS is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Elbit Systems, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Dividends
Leonardo DRS pays an annual dividend of $0.36 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.9%. Elbit Systems pays an annual dividend of $2.25 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.3%. Leonardo DRS pays out 36.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Elbit Systems pays out 22.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Elbit Systems has increased its dividend for 1 consecutive years.
About Leonardo DRS
Leonardo DRS, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides defense electronic products and systems, and military support services. It operates through Advanced Sensing and Computing (ASC) segment, and Integrated Mission Systems (IMS) segments. The ASC segment designs, develops, and manufacture sensing and network computing technology that enables real-time situational awareness required for enhanced operational decision making and execution; and offers sensing capabilities span applications, such as missions requiring advanced detection, precision targeting and surveillance sensing, long range electro-optic/infrared, signals intelligence, and other intelligence systems including electronic warfare, ground vehicle sensing, active electronically scanned array tactical radars, dismounted soldier, and space sensing. This segment also provides network computing, which are utilized across a range of mission applications including platform computing on ground and shipboard for advanced battle management, combat systems, radar, command and control, tactical networks, tactical computing, and communications. The IMS segment designs, develops, manufacture, and integrates power conversion, control, and distribution systems, ship propulsion systems, motors and variable frequency drives, force protection systems, transportation, and logistics systems for the U.S. and allied defense customers. This segment also offers electrical propulsion systems, which includes power conversion, control, distribution, and propulsion systems, as well as power dense permanent magnet motors, energy storage systems and associated efficient, rugged, and compact power conversion, electrical actuation systems, as well as cooling technologies; and motor controllers, instrumentation and control equipment, electrical actuation systems, and thermal management systems. The company was incorporated in 1968 and is based in Arlington, Virginia. Leonardo DRS, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Leonardo S.p.A.
About Elbit Systems
Elbit Systems Ltd. develops and supplies a portfolio of airborne, land, and naval systems and products for the defense, homeland security, and commercial aviation applications primarily in Israel. The company operates through Aerospace, C4I and Cyber, ISTAR and EW, Land, and Elbit Systems of America segments. It also offers military aircraft and helicopter systems; commercial aviation systems and aerostructures; unmanned aircraft systems; electro-optic, night vision, and countermeasures systems; naval systems; land vehicle systems; munitions, such as precision munitions for land, air, and sea applications; command, control, communications, computer, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and cyber systems; electronic warfare and signal intelligence systems; and other commercial activities. In addition, the company manufactures and sells data links and radio communication systems and equipment, and cyber intelligence, autonomous, and homeland security solutions. Further, it provides various electronic warfare and signal intelligence systems, and laser systems; armored vehicle and other platforms survivability and protection systems, artillery, and mortar systems, as well as provides various training and support services. Additionally, the company offers products and systems solutions to military, homeland security, medical instrumentation, and commercial aviation clients. It markets its systems and products as a prime contractor or subcontractor to various governments and companies. It also has operations in Israel, North America, Europe, Latin America, the Asia-Pacific, and internationally. The company was incorporated in 1966 and is based in Haifa, Israel.
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