CACI vs CSGP vs Z vs SAIC

For growth investors, CoStar Group, Inc.

(CSGP) is the stronger pick with 18. 7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -2. 9% for Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC). Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) offers the better valuation at 12. 2x trailing P/E (9. 3x 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, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) is the cheapest at 12.

2x versus CoStar Group, Inc. at 2107. 2x. On forward P/E, Science Applications International Corporation is actually cheaper at 9. 3x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Science Applications International Corporation wins at 0. 56x 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 -63. 2% for Zillow Group, Inc. Class C (Z). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CACI returned +416. 4% versus Z's +64. 9%. 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), Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

26β versus Zillow Group, Inc. Class C's 1. 32β — meaning Z is approximately 397% more volatile than SAIC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Zillow Group, Inc. Class C (Z) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 11% versus 86% for CACI International Inc — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), CoStar Group, Inc.

(CSGP) is pulling ahead at 18. 7% versus -2. 9% for Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Zillow Group, Inc. Class C grew EPS 118. 9% year-over-year, compared to -95. 1% for CoStar Group, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, CSGP leads at 14. 2% 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 0. 2% for CoStar Group, Inc. — meaning it keeps 5. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CACI leads at 8. 9% versus -2. 2% for CSGP. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CSGP leads at 75. 2%, 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, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 56x 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, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) trades at 9. 3x forward P/E versus 25. 8x for CoStar Group, Inc. — 16. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for Z: 83. 2% to $80. 00.

In this comparison, SAIC (1.

6% yield) pays a dividend. CACI, CSGP, Z do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

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

26), 1. 6% yield, +104. 4% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (SAIC: +104. 4%, Z: +64. 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.

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

In terms of investment character: CACI is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; CSGP is a mid-cap high-growth stock; Z is a mid-cap high-growth stock; SAIC is a small-cap deep-value stock. SAIC pays a dividend while CACI, CSGP, Z 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.