SPR vs HXL

For growth investors, Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc.

(SPR) is the stronger pick with 4. 4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -0. 5% for Hexcel Corporation (HXL). Hexcel Corporation (HXL) offers the better valuation at 70. 4x trailing P/E (42. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. (SPR) a "Hold" — based on 43 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 forward P/E, Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc.

is actually cheaper at 31. 5x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Hexcel Corporation (HXL) delivered a total return of +83.

4%, compared to -10. 6% for Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. (SPR). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: HXL returned +128. 5% versus SPR's -11. 2%. 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), Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc.

(SPR) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 67β versus Hexcel Corporation's 1. 05β — meaning HXL is approximately 58% more volatile than SPR relative to the S&P 500.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc.

(SPR) is pulling ahead at 4. 4% versus -0. 5% for Hexcel Corporation (HXL). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Hexcel Corporation grew EPS -13. 8% year-over-year, compared to -208. 4% for Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, SPR leads at 16. 9% 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.

Hexcel Corporation (HXL) is the more profitable company, earning 5.

8% net margin versus -33. 9% for Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. — meaning it keeps 5. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: HXL leads at 9. 1% versus -28. 3% for SPR. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — HXL leads at 23. 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.

On forward earnings alone, Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc.

(SPR) trades at 31. 5x forward P/E versus 42. 1x for Hexcel Corporation — 10. 6x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for SPR: 16. 8% to $46. 15.

In this comparison, HXL (0.

7% yield) pays a dividend. SPR does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Hexcel Corporation (HXL) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1.

05), 0. 7% yield, +128. 5% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (HXL: +128. 5%, SPR: -11. 2%), 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.

Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

HXL pays a dividend while SPR 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.