CTM vs CACI vs DLX

For growth investors, Castellum, Inc.

(CTM) is the stronger pick with 18. 1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 0. 5% for Deluxe Corporation (DLX). Deluxe Corporation (DLX) offers the better valuation at 14. 9x trailing P/E (6. 6x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate CACI International Inc (CACI) a "Buy" — based on 29 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

On trailing P/E, Deluxe Corporation (DLX) is the cheapest at 14.

9x versus Castellum, Inc. at 24. 9x. On forward P/E, Deluxe Corporation is actually cheaper at 6. 6x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Deluxe Corporation wins at 0. 12x versus CACI International Inc's 1. 44x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, CACI International Inc (CACI) delivered a total return of +85.

4%, compared to -45. 3% for Castellum, Inc. (CTM). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CACI returned +416. 4% versus CTM's -45. 3%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), CACI International Inc (CACI) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

30β versus Castellum, Inc. 's 2. 22β — meaning CTM is approximately 649% more volatile than CACI relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Castellum, Inc. (CTM) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 3% versus 2% for Deluxe Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Castellum, Inc.

(CTM) is pulling ahead at 18. 1% versus 0. 5% for Deluxe Corporation (DLX). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Castellum, Inc. grew EPS 114. 7% year-over-year, compared to 20. 0% for CACI International Inc. Over a 3-year CAGR, CACI leads at 11. 6% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

CACI International Inc (CACI) is the more profitable company, earning 5.

8% net margin versus 4. 0% for Deluxe Corporation — meaning it keeps 5. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: DLX leads at 12. 3% versus -5. 3% for CTM. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — DLX leads at 53. 0%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, Deluxe Corporation (DLX) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 12x versus CACI International Inc's 1. 44x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Deluxe Corporation (DLX) trades at 6. 6x forward P/E versus 17. 4x for CACI International Inc — 10. 8x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CACI: 48. 1% to $725. 50.

In this comparison, DLX (4.

5% yield), CTM (0. 2% yield) pay a dividend. CACI does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, CACI International Inc (CACI) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.

30), +416. 4% 10Y return). Castellum, Inc. (CTM) carries a higher beta of 2. 22 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (CACI: +416. 4%, CTM: -45. 3%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

These companies operate in different sectors (CTM (Technology) and CACI (Technology) and DLX (Communication Services)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: CTM is a small-cap high-growth stock; CACI is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; DLX is a small-cap deep-value stock. DLX pays a dividend while CTM, CACI do not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.