ESP
Espey Mfg. & Electronics Corp.
Electrical Equipment & Parts
Market Cap$183M
5Y Perf.+252.0%
Build Your Comparison
Side-by-side financial analysisESP
VSEC
Try popular comparisons:
Stock Comparison
ESP vs VSEC
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
VSEC
VSE Corporation
Aerospace & Defense
Market Cap$5.01B
5Y Perf.+598.4%
ESP vs VSEC — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot |  ESP |  VSEC |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Electrical Equipment & Parts | Aerospace & Defense |
| Market Cap | $183M | $5.01B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $42M | $1.18B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $11M | $63M |
| Gross Margin | 36.5% | 12.2% |
| Operating Margin | 25.4% | 10.7% |
| Forward P/E | 16.2x | 49.9x |
| Total Debt | $0.00 | $343M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $19M | $69M |
ESP vs VSEC — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
ESP
VSEC
| Stock | Jun 20 | Jun 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Espey Mfg. & Electr… (ESP) | 100 | 352.0 | +252.0% |
| VSE Corporation (VSEC) | 100 | 698.4 | +598.4% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: ESP vs VSEC
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: ESP leads in 6 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. VSE Corporation is the stronger pick specifically for recent price momentum and sentiment. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
🥇ESP emerged as the overall leader. Track its performance:
ESP
Espey Mfg. & Electronics Corp.
The Income Pick
ESP carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 0.74, yield 1.6%
- Rev growth 13.5%, EPS growth 31.9%, 3Y rev CAGR 11.0%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.74, current ratio 2.66x
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
VSEC
VSE Corporation
The Long-Run Compounder
VSEC is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 5.3% 10Y total return vs ESP's 167.4%
- +61.7% vs ESP's +53.2%
Best for: long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth |  ESP | 13.5% revenue growth vs VSEC's 3.0% |
| Value | ESP | Lower P/E (16.2x vs 49.9x) |
| Quality / Margins | ESP | 25.5% margin vs VSEC's 5.3% |
| Stability / Safety | ESP | Beta 0.74 vs VSEC's 2.25 |
| Dividends | ESP | 1.6% yield, vs VSEC's 0.2% |
| Momentum (1Y) |  VSEC | +61.7% vs ESP's +53.2% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | ESP | 12.5% ROA vs VSEC's 3.0%, ROIC 17.7% vs 5.9% |
ESP vs VSEC — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
FY 2025
ESP vs VSEC — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLESPLAGGINGVSEC
VSECVSE Corporation
1leads
ESPEspey Mfg. & Electron…
4leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs VSECMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
ESP4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
ESP6/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
ESP6/7
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
VSEC5/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
ESP1/1
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ESP leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
VSEC is the larger business by revenue, generating $1.2B annually — 27.9x ESP's $42M. ESP is the more profitable business, keeping 25.5% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to VSEC's 5.3%. On growth, VSEC holds the edge at +26.8% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ESPEspey Mfg. & Elec… | VSECVSE Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $42M | $1.2B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $11M | $170M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $11M | $63M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $4M | -$14M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +36.5% | +12.2% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +25.4% | +10.7% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +25.5% | +5.3% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +10.4% | -1.1% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +10.9% | +26.8% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +57.1% | +3.4% |
ESP leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
ESP leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 20.2x trailing earnings, ESP trades at a 77% valuation discount to VSEC's 87.0x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, ESP's 19.1x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than VSEC's 32.0x.
| Metric | ESPEspey Mfg. & Elec… | VSECVSE Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $183M | $5.0B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $164M | $5.3B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 20.19x | 86.99x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 16.17x | 49.90x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 0.46x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 19.09x | 32.04x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 4.16x | 4.51x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 3.23x | 3.23x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 10.99x | 877.75x |
ESP leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
ESP leads this category, winning 6 of 7 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
ESP delivers a 20.4% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $20 in annual profit, vs $4 for VSEC. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), VSEC scores 6/9 vs ESP's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ESPEspey Mfg. & Elec… | VSECVSE Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +20.4% | +4.1% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +12.5% | +3.0% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +17.7% | +5.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +17.6% | +7.7% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | — | 0.24x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$19M | $273M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $19M | $69M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $0 | $343M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | 8.72x |
ESP leads this category, winning 6 of 7 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
VSEC leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in VSEC five years ago would be worth $44,196 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $43,352 for ESP. Over the past 12 months, VSEC leads with a +61.7% total return vs ESP's +53.2%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors VSEC at 60.0% vs ESP's 54.7% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ESPEspey Mfg. & Elec… | VSECVSE Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +31.1% | +21.0% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +53.2% | +61.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +270.2% | +309.7% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +333.5% | +342.0% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +167.4% | +528.9% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +54.7% | +60.0% |
VSEC leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — ESP and VSEC each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
ESP is the less volatile stock with a 0.74 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than VSEC's 2.25 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. VSEC currently trades 94.2% from its 52-week high vs ESP's 81.5% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ESPEspey Mfg. & Elec… | VSECVSE Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.74x | 2.25x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $74.77 | $232.61 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $36.00 | $123.69 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +81.5% | +94.2% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 47.7 | 64.4 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 34K | 466K |
Evenly matched — ESP and VSEC each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
ESP leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates ESP as "Hold" and VSEC as "Buy". For income investors, ESP offers the higher dividend yield at 1.58% vs VSEC's 0.18%.
| Metric | ESPEspey Mfg. & Elec… | VSECVSE Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $247.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 3 | 11 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.6% | +0.2% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.96 | $0.39 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
ESP leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Key Takeaway
ESP leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). VSEC leads in 1 (Total Returns). 1 tied.
Best OverallEspey Mfg. & Electronics Co… (ESP)Leads 4 of 6 categories
Loading custom metrics...
ESP vs VSEC: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is ESP or VSEC a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Espey Mfg.
& Electronics Corp. (ESP) is the stronger pick with 13. 5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 3. 0% for VSE Corporation (VSEC). Espey Mfg. & Electronics Corp. (ESP) offers the better valuation at 20. 2x trailing P/E (16. 2x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate VSE Corporation (VSEC) a "Buy" — based on 11 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.
02Which has the better valuation — ESP or VSEC?
On trailing P/E, Espey Mfg.
& Electronics Corp. (ESP) is the cheapest at 20. 2x versus VSE Corporation at 87. 0x. On forward P/E, Espey Mfg. & Electronics Corp. is actually cheaper at 16. 2x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — ESP or VSEC?
Over the past 5 years, VSE Corporation (VSEC) delivered a total return of +342.
0%, compared to +333. 5% for Espey Mfg. & Electronics Corp. (ESP). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: VSEC returned +528. 9% versus ESP's +167. 4%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — ESP or VSEC?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Espey Mfg.
& Electronics Corp. (ESP) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 74β versus VSE Corporation's 2. 25β — meaning VSEC is approximately 205% more volatile than ESP relative to the S&P 500.
05Which is growing faster — ESP or VSEC?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Espey Mfg.
& Electronics Corp. (ESP) is pulling ahead at 13. 5% versus 3. 0% for VSE Corporation (VSEC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: VSE Corporation grew EPS 48. 2% year-over-year, compared to 31. 9% for Espey Mfg. & Electronics Corp.. Over a 3-year CAGR, VSEC leads at 18. 4% 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.
06Which has better profit margins — ESP or VSEC?
Espey Mfg.
& Electronics Corp. (ESP) is the more profitable company, earning 18. 5% net margin versus 4. 8% for VSE Corporation — meaning it keeps 18. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ESP leads at 18. 5% versus 11. 2% for VSEC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ESP leads at 28. 9%, 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.
07Is ESP or VSEC more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Espey Mfg.
& Electronics Corp. (ESP) trades at 16. 2x forward P/E versus 49. 9x for VSE Corporation — 33. 7x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.
08Which pays a better dividend — ESP or VSEC?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Espey Mfg. & Electronics Corp. (ESP) offers the highest yield at 1. 6%, versus 0. 2% for VSE Corporation (VSEC).
09Is ESP or VSEC better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Espey Mfg.
& Electronics Corp. (ESP) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 74), 1. 6% yield, +167. 4% 10Y return). VSE Corporation (VSEC) carries a higher beta of 2. 25 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (ESP: +167. 4%, VSEC: +528. 9%), 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.
10What are the main differences between ESP and VSEC?
Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
ESP pays a dividend while VSEC does 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.
You Might Also Compare
Based on how these companies actually compete and overlap — not just which sector they're filed under.