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FEIM vs CW
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Aerospace & Defense
FEIM vs CW — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Communication Equipment | Aerospace & Defense |
| Market Cap | $536M | $26.70B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $70M | $3.61B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $21M | $511M |
| Gross Margin | 39.2% | 37.2% |
| Operating Margin | 12.6% | 18.5% |
| Forward P/E | 74.1x | 48.0x |
| Total Debt | $9M | $1.31B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $5M | $371M |
FEIM vs CW — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frequency Electroni… (FEIM) | 100 | 671.7 | +571.7% |
| Curtiss-Wright Corp… (CW) | 100 | 721.2 | +621.2% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: FEIM vs CW
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
FEIM carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and sleep-well-at-night.
- Rev growth 26.3%, EPS growth 316.9%, 3Y rev CAGR 13.1%
- Lower volatility, beta 2.17, Low D/E 15.7%, current ratio 2.26x
- Beta 2.17, yield 1.8%, current ratio 2.26x
CW is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 10 yrs, beta 1.23, yield 0.1%
- 8.2% 10Y total return vs FEIM's 473.8%
- Lower P/E (48.0x vs 74.1x)
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 26.3% revenue growth vs CW's 12.1% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (48.0x vs 74.1x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 30.1% margin vs CW's 14.2% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 1.23 vs FEIM's 2.17 | |
| Dividends | 1.8% yield, vs CW's 0.1% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +220.2% vs CW's +100.0% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 23.0% ROA vs CW's 9.8%, ROIC 20.1% vs 14.1% |
FEIM vs CW — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FEIM vs CW — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CW leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CW is the larger business by revenue, generating $3.6B annually — 51.6x FEIM's $70M. FEIM is the more profitable business, keeping 30.1% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to CW's 14.2%. On growth, CW holds the edge at +13.4% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $70M | $3.6B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $9M | $729M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $21M | $511M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$6M | $591M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +39.2% | +37.2% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +12.6% | +18.5% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +30.1% | +14.2% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -9.1% | +16.4% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +8.3% | +13.4% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -35.7% | +29.1% |
Valuation Metrics
FEIM leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 22.3x trailing earnings, FEIM trades at a 60% valuation discount to CW's 56.2x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, FEIM's 39.1x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than CW's 43.3x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $536M | $26.7B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $540M | $27.6B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 22.28x | 56.20x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 74.07x | 48.02x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 2.58x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 39.15x | 43.32x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 7.67x | 7.63x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 9.47x | 10.74x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 48.21x |
Profitability & Efficiency
FEIM leads this category, winning 8 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
FEIM delivers a 37.9% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $38 in annual profit, vs $20 for CW. FEIM carries lower financial leverage with a 0.16x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to CW's 0.52x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), CW scores 7/9 vs FEIM's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +37.9% | +19.6% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +23.0% | +9.8% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +20.1% | +14.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +17.0% | +16.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.16x | 0.52x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $4M | $943M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $5M | $371M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $9M | $1.3B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 123.86x | 15.90x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
FEIM leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in FEIM five years ago would be worth $57,153 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $54,902 for CW. Over the past 12 months, FEIM leads with a +220.2% total return vs CW's +100.0%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors FEIM at 104.7% vs CW's 64.7% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +8.4% | +26.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +220.2% | +100.0% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +757.3% | +347.1% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +471.5% | +449.0% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +473.8% | +815.8% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +104.7% | +64.7% |
Risk & Volatility
CW leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CW is the less volatile stock with a 1.23 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than FEIM's 2.17 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. CW currently trades 96.4% from its 52-week high vs FEIM's 89.2% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 2.17x | 1.23x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $61.47 | $750.00 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $16.77 | $359.48 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +89.2% | +96.4% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 57.4 | 59.8 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 181K | 303K |
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — FEIM and CW each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates FEIM as "Hold" and CW as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply -2.0% upside for CW (target: $709) vs -19.7% for FEIM (target: $44). For income investors, FEIM offers the higher dividend yield at 1.82% vs CW's 0.13%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $44.00 | $708.50 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 2 | 25 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.8% | +0.1% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 10 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.00 | $0.92 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.1% | +1.7% |
FEIM leads in 3 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). CW leads in 2 (Income & Cash Flow, Risk & Volatility). 1 tied.
FEIM vs CW: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is FEIM or CW a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Frequency Electronics, Inc.
(FEIM) is the stronger pick with 26. 3% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 12. 1% for Curtiss-Wright Corporation (CW). Frequency Electronics, Inc. (FEIM) offers the better valuation at 22. 3x trailing P/E (74. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Curtiss-Wright Corporation (CW) a "Buy" — based on 25 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 — FEIM or CW?
On trailing P/E, Frequency Electronics, Inc.
(FEIM) is the cheapest at 22. 3x versus Curtiss-Wright Corporation at 56. 2x. On forward P/E, Curtiss-Wright Corporation is actually cheaper at 48. 0x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — FEIM or CW?
Over the past 5 years, Frequency Electronics, Inc.
(FEIM) delivered a total return of +471. 5%, compared to +449. 0% for Curtiss-Wright Corporation (CW). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CW returned +815. 8% versus FEIM's +473. 8%. 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 — FEIM or CW?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Curtiss-Wright Corporation (CW) is the lower-risk stock at 1.
23β versus Frequency Electronics, Inc. 's 2. 17β — meaning FEIM is approximately 76% more volatile than CW relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Frequency Electronics, Inc. (FEIM) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 16% versus 52% for Curtiss-Wright Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — FEIM or CW?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Frequency Electronics, Inc.
(FEIM) is pulling ahead at 26. 3% versus 12. 1% for Curtiss-Wright Corporation (CW). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Frequency Electronics, Inc. grew EPS 316. 9% year-over-year, compared to 22. 0% for Curtiss-Wright Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, FEIM leads at 13. 1% 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 — FEIM or CW?
Frequency Electronics, Inc.
(FEIM) is the more profitable company, earning 34. 1% net margin versus 13. 8% for Curtiss-Wright Corporation — meaning it keeps 34. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CW leads at 18. 2% versus 16. 8% for FEIM. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — FEIM leads at 43. 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.
07Is FEIM or CW more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Curtiss-Wright Corporation (CW) trades at 48.
0x forward P/E versus 74. 1x for Frequency Electronics, Inc. — 26. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CW: -2. 0% to $708. 50.
08Which pays a better dividend — FEIM or CW?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Frequency Electronics, Inc. (FEIM) offers the highest yield at 1. 8%, versus 0. 1% for Curtiss-Wright Corporation (CW).
09Is FEIM or CW better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Curtiss-Wright Corporation (CW) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1.
23), +815. 8% 10Y return). Frequency Electronics, Inc. (FEIM) carries a higher beta of 2. 17 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (CW: +815. 8%, FEIM: +473. 8%), 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 FEIM and CW?
These companies operate in different sectors (FEIM (Technology) and CW (Industrials)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.
In terms of investment character: FEIM is a small-cap high-growth stock; CW is a mid-cap quality compounder stock. FEIM pays a dividend while CW 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.
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