CACI vs CSGP vs Z vs SAIC vs LDOS

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). Leidos Holdings, Inc. (LDOS) offers the better valuation at 11. 8x trailing P/E (11. 1x 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, Leidos Holdings, Inc.

(LDOS) is the cheapest at 11. 8x versus CoStar Group, Inc. at 2107. 2x. On forward P/E, Science Applications International Corporation is actually cheaper at 9. 3x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Leidos Holdings, Inc. wins at 0. 54x 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 119% for Leidos Holdings, 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.

Leidos Holdings, Inc.

(LDOS) is the more profitable company, earning 8. 5% net margin versus 0. 2% for CoStar Group, Inc. — meaning it keeps 8. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: LDOS leads at 12. 3% 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, Leidos Holdings, Inc. (LDOS) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 54x 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), LDOS (1. 2% yield) pay 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) and LDOS (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; LDOS is a mid-cap deep-value stock. SAIC, LDOS pay 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.