Aerospace & Defense
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HEI vs SPIR vs BA vs TDG
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Specialty Business Services
Aerospace & Defense
Aerospace & Defense
HEI vs SPIR vs BA vs TDG — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace & Defense | Specialty Business Services | Aerospace & Defense | Aerospace & Defense |
| Market Cap | $24.38B | $529.86B | $182.12B | $70.14B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $4.63B | $72M | $92.18B | $9.11B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $713M | $-25.02B | $2.27B | $1.97B |
| Gross Margin | 30.4% | 40.8% | 4.8% | 59.0% |
| Operating Margin | 22.8% | -121.4% | -5.9% | 46.5% |
| Forward P/E | 51.6x | 10.0x | 4979.1x | 32.0x |
| Total Debt | $2.19B | $8.76B | $54.43B | $30.03B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $218M | $24.81B | $10.92B | $2.81B |
HEI vs SPIR vs BA vs TDG — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | Nov 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| HEICO Corporation (HEI) | 100 | 234.3 | +134.3% |
| Spire Global, Inc. (SPIR) | 100 | 20.5 | -79.5% |
| The Boeing Company (BA) | 100 | 109.6 | +9.6% |
| TransDigm Group Inc… (TDG) | 100 | 214.5 | +114.5% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: HEI vs SPIR vs BA vs TDG
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
HEI is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 8.2% 10Y total return vs TDG's 6.0%
SPIR is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if value and momentum is your priority.
- Lower P/E (10.0x vs 4979.1x)
- +73.1% vs TDG's -3.7%
BA is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure.
- Rev growth 34.5%, EPS growth 113.5%, 3Y rev CAGR 10.3%
- 34.5% revenue growth vs SPIR's -35.2%
TDG carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 2 yrs, beta 0.79, yield 13.3%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.79, current ratio 3.21x
- PEG 1.03 vs HEI's 3.14
- Beta 0.79, yield 13.3%, current ratio 3.21x
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 34.5% revenue growth vs SPIR's -35.2% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (10.0x vs 4979.1x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 21.6% margin vs SPIR's -349.6% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.79 vs SPIR's 2.93 | |
| Dividends | 13.3% yield, 2-year raise streak, vs HEI's 0.1%, (1 stock pays no dividend) | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +73.1% vs TDG's -3.7% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 8.6% ROA vs SPIR's -47.3%, ROIC 20.9% vs -0.1% |
HEI vs SPIR vs BA vs TDG — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
HEI vs SPIR vs BA vs TDG — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 4 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Who Leads Where
TDG leads in 3 of 6 categories
SPIR leads 1 • HEI leads 0 • BA leads 0 • 2 tied
Explore the data ↓Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
TDG leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
BA is the larger business by revenue, generating $92.2B annually — 1288.3x SPIR's $72M. TDG is the more profitable business, keeping 21.6% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to SPIR's -349.6%. On growth, HEI holds the edge at +14.4% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $4.6B | $72M | $92.2B | $9.1B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $1.2B | -$74M | -$3.4B | $4.6B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $713M | -$25.0B | $2.3B | $2.0B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $841M | -$16.2B | -$1.0B | $1.9B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +30.4% | +40.8% | +4.8% | +59.0% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +22.8% | -121.4% | -5.9% | +46.5% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +15.4% | -349.6% | +2.5% | +21.6% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +18.1% | -227.0% | -1.1% | +20.6% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +14.4% | -26.9% | +14.0% | +13.9% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +12.5% | +59.5% | +31.3% | -13.1% |
Valuation Metrics
TDG leads this category, winning 3 of 7 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 10.0x trailing earnings, SPIR trades at a 89% valuation discount to BA's 93.2x P/E. Adjusting for growth (PEG ratio), TDG offers better value at 1.24x vs HEI's 3.60x — a lower PEG means you pay less per unit of expected earnings growth.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $24.4B | $529.9B | $182.1B | $70.1B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $26.4B | $513.8B | $225.6B | $97.4B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 59.09x | 10.01x | 93.16x | 38.72x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 51.57x | — | 4979.09x | 32.01x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 3.60x | — | — | 1.24x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 21.69x | — | — | 21.48x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 5.44x | 7405.21x | 2.04x | 7.94x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 9.31x | 4.56x | 32.27x | — |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 28.30x | — | — | 38.63x |
Profitability & Efficiency
TDG leads this category, winning 4 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
BA delivers a 2.9% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $3 in annual profit, vs $-88 for SPIR. SPIR carries lower financial leverage with a 0.08x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to BA's 9.97x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), HEI scores 6/9 vs SPIR's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +12.9% | -88.4% | +2.9% | — |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +7.9% | -47.3% | +1.4% | +8.6% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +12.6% | -0.1% | -9.5% | +20.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +14.0% | -0.1% | -9.1% | +20.8% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.50x | 0.08x | 9.97x | — |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $2.0B | -$16.1B | $43.5B | $27.2B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $218M | $24.8B | $10.9B | $2.8B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $2.2B | $8.8B | $54.4B | $30.0B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 8.32x | 9.20x | 1.89x | 2.55x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
SPIR leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in TDG five years ago would be worth $24,023 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $2,035 for SPIR. Over the past 12 months, SPIR leads with a +73.1% total return vs TDG's -3.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors SPIR at 43.9% vs BA's 5.4% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -12.0% | +106.4% | +1.4% | -8.6% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +8.1% | +73.1% | +24.5% | -3.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +71.7% | +198.1% | +17.1% | +86.7% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +105.2% | -79.6% | -1.9% | +140.2% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +823.0% | -78.8% | +94.6% | +595.3% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +19.7% | +43.9% | +5.4% | +23.1% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — BA and TDG each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
TDG is the less volatile stock with a 0.79 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than SPIR's 2.93 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. BA currently trades 90.8% from its 52-week high vs SPIR's 68.3% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.04x | 2.93x | 0.97x | 0.79x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $361.69 | $23.59 | $254.35 | $1623.83 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $256.11 | $6.60 | $176.77 | $1123.61 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +80.1% | +68.3% | +90.8% | +76.5% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 60.7 | 55.5 | 56.9 | 56.5 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 698K | 1.6M | 6.5M | 370K |
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — HEI and TDG each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: HEI as "Buy", SPIR as "Buy", BA as "Buy", TDG as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 30.3% upside for TDG (target: $1618) vs 7.0% for SPIR (target: $17). For income investors, TDG offers the higher dividend yield at 13.32% vs BA's 0.19%.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $371.00 | $17.25 | $263.67 | $1617.88 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 34 | 12 | 54 | 39 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.1% | — | +0.2% | +13.3% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 10 | — | 0 | 2 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.23 | — | $0.43 | $165.45 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.1% | 0.0% | 0.0% | +0.7% |
TDG leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). SPIR leads in 1 (Total Returns). 2 tied.
HEI vs SPIR vs BA vs TDG: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is HEI or SPIR or BA or TDG a better buy right now?
For growth investors, The Boeing Company (BA) is the stronger pick with 34.
5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -35. 2% for Spire Global, Inc. (SPIR). Spire Global, Inc. (SPIR) offers the better valuation at 10. 0x trailing P/E, making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate HEICO Corporation (HEI) a "Buy" — based on 34 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 — HEI or SPIR or BA or TDG?
On trailing P/E, Spire Global, Inc.
(SPIR) is the cheapest at 10. 0x versus The Boeing Company at 93. 2x. On forward P/E, TransDigm Group Incorporated is actually cheaper at 32. 0x — 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: TransDigm Group Incorporated wins at 1. 03x versus HEICO Corporation's 3. 14x — a reasonable growth-adjusted valuation.
03Which is the better long-term investment — HEI or SPIR or BA or TDG?
Over the past 5 years, TransDigm Group Incorporated (TDG) delivered a total return of +140.
2%, compared to -79. 6% for Spire Global, Inc. (SPIR). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: HEI returned +823. 0% versus SPIR's -78. 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 — HEI or SPIR or BA or TDG?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), TransDigm Group Incorporated (TDG) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
79β versus Spire Global, Inc. 's 2. 93β — meaning SPIR is approximately 272% more volatile than TDG relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Spire Global, Inc. (SPIR) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 8% versus 10% for The Boeing Company — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — HEI or SPIR or BA or TDG?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), The Boeing Company (BA) is pulling ahead at 34.
5% versus -35. 2% for Spire Global, Inc. (SPIR). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Spire Global, Inc. grew EPS 137. 8% year-over-year, compared to 25. 2% for TransDigm Group Incorporated. Over a 3-year CAGR, HEI leads at 26. 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.
06Which has better profit margins — HEI or SPIR or BA or TDG?
Spire Global, Inc.
(SPIR) is the more profitable company, earning 71. 7% net margin versus 2. 5% for The Boeing Company — meaning it keeps 71. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: TDG leads at 47. 2% versus -121. 4% for SPIR. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — TDG leads at 60. 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 HEI or SPIR or BA or TDG more undervalued right now?
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, TransDigm Group Incorporated (TDG) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 1. 03x versus HEICO Corporation's 3. 14x. A PEG below 1. 5 suggests fair-to-attractive pricing relative to expected growth. On forward earnings alone, TransDigm Group Incorporated (TDG) trades at 32. 0x forward P/E versus 4979. 1x for The Boeing Company — 4947. 1x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for TDG: 30. 3% to $1617. 88.
08Which pays a better dividend — HEI or SPIR or BA or TDG?
In this comparison, TDG (13.
3% yield), BA (0. 2% yield) pay a dividend. HEI, SPIR do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is HEI or SPIR or BA or TDG better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, TransDigm Group Incorporated (TDG) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.
79), 13. 3% yield, +595. 3% 10Y return). Spire Global, Inc. (SPIR) carries a higher beta of 2. 93 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (TDG: +595. 3%, SPIR: -78. 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 HEI and SPIR and BA and TDG?
Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: HEI is a mid-cap high-growth stock; SPIR is a large-cap deep-value stock; BA is a mid-cap high-growth stock; TDG is a mid-cap income-oriented stock. TDG pays a dividend while HEI, SPIR, BA 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.
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