DLHC vs ICFI vs CACI vs SAIC

For growth investors, CACI International Inc (CACI) is the stronger pick with 12.

6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -13. 0% for DLH Holdings Corp. (DLHC). 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 ICF International, Inc. (ICFI) a "Buy" — based on 13 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 DLH Holdings Corp. at 60. 8x. 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 -44. 0% for DLH Holdings Corp. (DLHC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CACI returned +416. 4% versus DLHC's +24. 0%. 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 DLH Holdings Corp. 's 0. 82β — meaning DLHC is approximately 211% more volatile than SAIC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 14% versus 128% for DLH Holdings Corp. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), CACI International Inc (CACI) is pulling ahead at 12.

6% versus -13. 0% for DLH Holdings Corp. (DLHC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: CACI International Inc grew EPS 20. 0% year-over-year, compared to -81. 5% for DLH Holdings Corp.. 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 0. 4% for DLH Holdings Corp. — 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 4. 9% for DLHC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ICFI leads at 34. 1%, 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 17. 4x for CACI International Inc — 8. 0x 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, SAIC (1.

6% yield), ICFI (0. 8% yield) pay a dividend. DLHC, CACI 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%, DLHC: +24. 0%), 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 (DLHC (Unknown) and ICFI (Industrials) and CACI (Technology) and SAIC (Technology)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: DLHC is a small-cap quality compounder stock; ICFI is a small-cap deep-value stock; CACI is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; SAIC is a small-cap deep-value stock. ICFI, SAIC pay a dividend while DLHC, 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.